Moir Homestead, Coomalbidgup

Moir Homestead (c1880) is situated 95km south west of Esperance in the Stokes National Park. The site incorporates blacksmith’s workshop (1863), shepherd’s camp (1863) and woolshed and stables (c1880). All buildings are conserved as ruins. Access is via 4WD.

The property is associated with the development of pastoralism in the south-west region of Western Australia. Fanny Cove, the location of Moir Homestead, was the main point of entry for gold prospectors travelling to eastern goldfields following the discovery of gold at Dundas, Coolgardie and Norseman in 1892. The place is closely associated with its builders and long-term occupiers, the Moir family, who were prominent in the development of the region. William Moir regularly carted provisions to the goldfields for sale to prospectors. As the gold boom extended c.1894, Esperance became the area’s major port. The homestead also had close associations with Aboriginal farm labourers and shepherds who were employed on the property. The place is important as a contact site.

The Moir family sold the pastoral leases to the White family in 1951 who utilised much of the house’s timber in the construction of a new homestead at Young River. In the late 1970s, in an effort to save the property from mining, the White family surrendered the lease on the understanding that the land would become a national park and that the National trust took over the homestead block.

The buildings at Moir Homestead are conserved as ruins. Some works have been undertaken in the past twelve months and stablisation works will continue as grant funds become available. The place is recognised on the heritage registers at national, State and local levels.