Austin is located in Lander County east of Reno in the Northern Region of the state .
Austin lies along Hwy 50. Once apart of the Pony Express Trail across central Nevada, the route has long stretches without roadside services and passes through such other historic mining towns as Eureka and Ely. Austin also is at the southern end of scenic State Route 305 which follows the Reese River and Shoshone Ridge to Blue Mountain.
Austin was founded with the discovery of silver in 1862. Camels were used to haul salt to local mills for processing of ore. Well-known residents have included Emma Nevada, 19th-century opera star.
