Wittenoom - a real ghost town!!

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I have never seen a real ghost town. Until 1966 Wittenoom was a thriving town with the big asbestos mine in the nearby Wittenoom gorge. Then they discovered the danger of cancer from asbestos and they closed the mine. Most of the people left anyway as there were no jobs anymore and the WA government were determined to extinguish the town, maybe to prevent future law suits (even though several researches showed it wasn’t dangerous anymore). So they destroyed all public buildings, and only some private houses stayed, with no services. 20 people leave there now, determined to call it a home. Their houses are nice and surrounded by small gardens, but all around it’s simply deserted. It’s just unbelievable to see it, and when you see picture of the place at its glory days you are even more shocked.

The hostel where we stayed was the cheapest place in Australia (10$ a night) and the nicest one. Paul lives there on his own, in a small room, and the rest of the place serves as the hostel - sharing his facilities as kitchen, lounge and bathroom (there are 2). It was only us there, very quite after Coral Bay. Paul made pancakes for us every evening, and we played cards (he taught us nice games). It was really fun to stay there and was great to get to know Paul a little. I really recommend, if you are in the neighborhood, go there, experience something different!

NOTE ADDED ON October 2007:
Travelblog received a message from the Western Australia government regarding the dangers of staying in Wittenoom, and forwarded it to me. I don't know where the truth lies, I do hope not to find myself with cancer in 20-40 years just because of my short adventure... Anyway if you read my blog because you consider going there, the government would very much like you to read their opinion in http://wa.gov.au/wittenoom/. They certainly have checked it more thoroughly than I did. I trust you to make the decisions that are right for you.

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Photos

Wittenoom - now and then
Same avenue, amazing difference

Old phone exchange
Was in use in Wittenoom till the 80s!!

Comments

[neil]

asbestos
apperantly al up including locals migrants people passing through death toll stands at 200 000 + people still dying today because of blue asbestos blue sky mine {midnight oil} i can see why it is ghost town poor souls

[Anat]

To Neil
I am sure people died from working there and I probably will not choose to live there now, but it's sad to see a ghost town no matter what the reason is

[Judi]

Above comment not true, of 20,000 people living in Wittenoom just over 1,000 have died of cancercaused by Asbestos.

[Mr.Sashi]

Asbestos
It is very sad that Death toll due to Asbestos is increasing rapidly. and this must be controlled. for more info Regards Mr.Sashi ASL Asbestos Suite 106 35 St Pauls Square Birmingham B3 1QX 0121 371 9205 Website http://www.asbestosservicesltd.co.uk

[JPC]

Incorrect Information
I just want to let you know that a lot of what you've stated is incorrect. For example, the mine was not actually closed due to the health risks imposed, however it was closed because it was actually not running profitably. The health of the workers never appeared to be considered seriously by CSR or ABA throughout the running of the mine. Most of the people didn't 'leave anyway' but were encouraged to leave through government incentives and the phasing down period of closing the town lasted 28 years, starting in 1978 encouraging residents to leave, and finally finishing in 2006 when it was degazetted and removed from maps and roadsigns. I just thought you might like to know :)