Gold was discovered in the area by two prospectors, Boyle and Moore, in 1897 and was initially known as Boyle's Find.[1] The two prospectors were granted the reward claim. The original townsite was located near Boyd's Hill and the town was known as Boyd's for a while. Eventually the well at Cork Tree Flat was deepened and potable water was available so the town also became known as Cork Tree Flat.[2]
A state battery was erected by the government in 1898, which led to the local progress association petitioning for a townsite to be declared. Following some debate on where it was to be situated, lots were surveyed in 1898 and the townsite was gazetted in 1899.
The town is named after a nearby hill and the name is Aboriginal in origin and the meaning of the name is thought to be camp of the wooden dish.
In 2010, Hyperion Energy purchased Karbar Station, a large property surrounding the town, proposing to construct a solar updraft tower power generation project. Construction was expected to commence in 2014,[needs update][3] and the output is projected to be 200 megawatts.
