<P> There are three fences in Western Australia: the original No. 1 Fence crosses the state from north to south, No. 2 Fence is smaller and further west, and No. 3 Fence is smaller still and runs east--west . The fences took six years to build . When completed in 1907, the rabbit - proof fence (including all three fences) stretched 2,023 miles (3,256 km). The cost to build the fences at the time was about £ 167 per mile ($250 / km). </P> <P> When it was completed in 1907, the 1,139 - mile (1,833 km) No. 1 Fence was the longest unbroken fence in the world . It has been claimed that the fence is visible from space; however, similar claims about the larger Great Wall of China have been debunked by NASA . </P> <P> Rabbits were introduced to Australia by the First Fleet in 1788 and they became a problem when Thomas Austin released 24 wild rabbits for hunting purposes in October 1859, saying that "the introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting ." </P> <P> The rabbits were extremely prolific creatures and spread rapidly across the southern parts of the country . Australia had ideal conditions for a rabbit population explosion . </P>

Where does the rabbit proof fence start and finish