I came across this rarity in my travels.

Where did I find this operating relic?
Mogumber, a place 120 kms north of Perth in Western Australia.
It is what is called a settlement, not officially a townsite.
Population 58

It is the location where the Moore River East joins the Moore River.

As with the majority of places in Australia it has a pub. 😂
Called The Mogumber Hub (formerly Black Bull Tavern)

It was on the verge of closing down until The Mogumber Outback Club bought it and instigated renovations.
New Years Eve the Mogumber Rodeo happens. Attended by 3500 spectators. One has to book early as it is sold out every year
https://youtu.be/USMrb9Gc-48?si=Cfi8Fpo-XztfKHxT

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

ArishMell · 70-79, M

Rather than merely making sarcastic remarks from ignorance, I assume the telephone kiosk, which looks very modern, is necessary because this is a remote, isolated area with limited or no radio-telephone coverage?

Gusman · 61-69, M

@ArishMell I am almost certain that all small towns in "outback" Australia have at least one public telephone.
99% of the Australian population can access mobile phone coverage.

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@Gusman Are the remaining 1% in remote areas with no radio-telephone service, though?

The range of any relay-station is limited, that of the 'phone even more so, and I don't know if individual 'phones can respond to satellite relays or if those are part of the national network instead.

There are a good many areas even in England, which has no really remote areas, with limited or patchy portable-phone coverage, but more often due to hills blocking the signals than to geographical isolation.

One place I visit occasionally is like that, necessitating moving about fifty yards from my accommodation to obtain a signal - which is then usually reasonably strong! As I don't use my portable 'phone very often, that's not normally a problem for me, but could be for residents. I think BT has retained the public phone box in the village because of this patchy and uncertain radio coverage.