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Bonnie Vale is an abandoned goldfields townsite 14 km (8.7 mi) north of Coolgardie in the Shire of Coolgardie in Western Australia.

Bonnie Vale Western Australia
Bonnie Vale
Coordinates	30.856°S 121.162°E / -30.856; 121.162
Established	1897
Postcode(s)	6430
Elevation	375 m (1,230 ft)
Location	570 km (354 mi) ENE of Perth, Western Australia 12 km (7 mi) north of Coolgardie
LGA(s)	Shire of Coolgardie
State electorate(s)	Eyre
Federal division(s)	O'Connor

History

The town was gazetted in 1897. It was apparently named after Bonnie, a prospector who picked up a 7-troy-ounce (220 g) nugget here in May/June 1894.[1]

It is famous as the site of the Varischetti mine rescue of 1907, when Italian gold miner Modesto Varischetti was trapped for nine days in a mine when it was flooded after a thunderstorm. Varischetti survived in an air pocket until rescued. A diver using deep-sea diving equipment located Varischetti five days after the mine was flooded, and provided him with food, candles and letters of encouragement.

Rail services

The Prospector service, which runs each way between East Perth and Kalgoorlie once or twice each day, stops at Bonnie Vale.[2]

Preceding station	Transwa			Following station
Koolyanobbing towards East Perth		Prospector		Kalgoorlie Terminus

References

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