Kalgoorlie Boulder Town
The goldrush of the late 1890s did literally 'rush' through this area. What it left behind are some fascinating mining and ghost towns where Gold Fever still lingers. It is the Kalgoorlie Boulder Town Goldfield region where you can have a true adventure experience – camping under the brilliant canopy of the southern stars, experiencing Aboriginal culture and seeing kangaroos and other unique wildlife.
At the centre of the Goldfields is the city of Kalgoorlie Boulder. A day’s drive or comfortable six-hour train ride from Perth, it’s become a living museum for the still flourishing mining industry. The drive from Perth to Kalgoorlie is becoming a holiday in its own right with the recent launch of the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail.
Kalgoorlie's Hannan Street architecture Many other goldrush settlements in the area are still thriving communities. Cue with its impressive National Trust buildings and the Leonora-Leinster-Laverton triangle are perfect examples.
Gwalia and Kookynie are two such towns, filled with history and tall tales. The rugged bush scenery provides a perfect backdrop to mine head frames rising from the dirt. Others are now eerie ghost towns, such as Big Bell Ghost Town.
Places like Laverton and Leonora still prosper from gold discoveries with several nickel and gold mines finding large quantities of the rich metals. The town of Leinster also has had mining success and now is ranked as one of the world's largest nickel producers.
Couple and guide panning for gold at Hannan's View Museum, located in Kalgoorlie Further north and inland is the remote Aboriginal town of Warburton. Experience the world-class art and culture of the Ngaanyatjarra people at the Tjulyuru Cultural Centre. Warburton is on the unsealed Great Central Road, more commonly known as the Outback Highway.
This remote community sits between two deserts, the Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts which provide a rich scenery of ranges, red soil, spinifex, mulga and desert oaks.
Field of yellow hairy angianthus tomentosus wildflowers near Kalgoorlie The Great Central Road, which stretches from Laverton for more than 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) is a classic outback adventure that passes through some of the most isolated and beautiful parts of Australia.
During the wildflower season (July to September) the rugged goldfields scenery puts on an unrivalled floral display. The area’s salt lakes, granite formations and Aboriginal rock art add to the natural drama throughout the year.
At Lake Ballard near Menzies see black abstract steel figures that make up the Inside Australia artwork by internationally renowned artist Antony Gormley.
Or begin at the gold town of Norseman, and take the Eyre Highway across the sweeping Nullarbor Plain to the Great Australian Bight coastline.
The vastness of these landscapes teaches more about Australia’s immensity than any school geography lesson. Farmstay accommodation offers a taste of outback life. Or really get away from it all by camping beside a river or shady tree in peaceful solitude under vast starry skies.
4WD on road from Lennard River Gorge, located off the Gibb River RoadOutback Highways
For a memorable Australian holiday experience, outback driving is hard to beat. Four wheel drive adventures such as the Gibb River Road journey through cattle station country, which is home to kangaroos, emus, wedge-tailed eagles and even the occasional camel.
To appreciate the Outback Highway area you have to look back at the history and conditions that forged this area, mining and the legendary outback cattle drive of the early 1900s, which saw the creation of enormous cattle stations – some the size of small European countries.
Over time, these communities have been linked by highways to create a network of roads taking in some of Australia’s most fascinating heritage sites.
Most attractions are easily accessed by two-wheel drive vehicles and caravans via Laverton and the Great Central Road. But there are excellent four-wheel drive adventures too, such as the Canning Stock Route, the Gibb River Road and the Gunbarrell Highway (through to Uluru).
Many cattle stations offer farmstay accommodation and a taste of true outback life. Or really get away from it all by camping beside a river or shady tree in peaceful solitude under vast skies ablaze with millions of stars.
The highways are well serviced and signposted, and a town is never far away for the necessities of life.
Everlastings on the side of the Gunbarrel HighwayGunbarrel Highway, Wiluna
The approximate 3,500 kilometre Gunbarrel Highway takes its name from the so called 'Gunbarrel Construction Party' who under the supervision of the surveyor Len Beadell constructed a road via Victory Downs near the Northern Territory/South Australian border, east across to Giles, and on to Carnegie Station in Western Australia.
The Gunbarrel Highway should only be attempted in four wheel drive high clearance vehicles. Many of the roads are gravel or natural earth. It receives very little attention and in fact some sections have not been graded since the original days of construction.
Car travelling along the Gunbarrel Highway The recommended time of the year for completing this journey is between April and October and as long distances will be covered between towns/settlements vehicles must be in first class condition.
Much of the journey travels through Aboriginal Reserves, in Western Australia, and Aboriginal Land in Northern Territory. Entry permits are required and must be sought prior to travel.
Visit Kalgoorlie-Boulder WA
An hour's flight east from Perth, Kalgoorlie-Boulder is the hub of the goldfields and one of Western Australia's largest cities. Still active as a mining town, Kalgoorlie-Boulder's wide streets and grand old buildings are full of people living the prospecting dream.
Travel to the region by bus, train, plane or car. Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a place like no other. From wild and heady origins as a frontier town where fortunes were sought, to the prosperous, bustling 'Kal' of today, Kalgoorlie's rich heritage permeates the town and gives it a distinctive character.
Gold bars mined at Kalgoorlie Turn of the century architecture, including the magnificent Boulder Town Hall, the red outback just beyond the settlement's streets and nearby ghost towns make this area fascinating to visitors.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder is one of the most important mining areas in the world. After Paddy Hannan found gold in the area in 1893, the town's population soared to 30,000. Today the population is again up to 30,000, after the discovery of nickel deposits in the north of the goldfields.
The towns Kalgoorlie and Boulder amalgamated in 1989. Until then they were separate towns side by side. Boulder's main street, Burt Street, is five kilometres from Kalgoorlie's centre, Hannan Street. Boulder was named after The Great Boulder Mine, the first mine on the Golden Mile.
The Cornwall Hotel, located in BoulderIn September, renowned horse race the Boulder and Kalgoorlie Cup takes place at the 100 year old Racing Round. Crowds from all over the State come to enjoy the town's festive atmosphere.
The largest indoor pool in Western Australia, great for a cooling dip to escape the outback heat, is on Johnston Street.
The town has a number of pubs and nightclubs, and live music is popular around town. Visiting artists perform regularly at the Arts Centre.
Kalgoorlie Boulder offers many styles of accommodation, including caravan parks, camping grounds, hostels, hotels and motels.
Coolgardie
Coolgardie is located seven hours' drive east of Perth and a forty minute drive south west of Kalgoorlie.
The Coolgardie of today has retained many aspects of its rich and colourful history. Its charm and friendliness make it a great town in which to discover the past.
Coolgardie is world renowned for two events, the birthplace of the great goldrush of 1892 and Varischetti's amazing mine rescue after nine days trapped in a flooded mine underground.
It was once the third largest town in Western Australia with two stock exchanges, three breweries, seven newspapers and 26 hotels. Discover charming and historic Coolgardie with its wide main street and grand heritage buildings.
See Australia's largest bottle and curio collection and fascinating recreated turn of the century pharmaceutical museum.
Explore nearby ghost towns and outback nature reserves such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management managed fresh water wetlands at Rowles Lagoon, swim, boat, canoe, bush walk, bird watch, picnic, camp overnight and star gaze.
Coolgardie Day, an annual event held in September, celebrates Coolgardie's birthday with thousands of people from the Goldfields and visitors from across the state coming to town to experience the family fun and activities.
The Western Australian Metal Detecting Championships are also held annually in September.
An hour's flight east from Perth, Kalgoorlie Boulder is the hub of the goldfields and one of Western Australia's largest cities. Still active as a mining town, Kalgoorlie-Boulder's wide streets and grand old buildings are full of people living the prospecting dream.
Travel to the region by bus, train, plane or car. Kalgoorlie Boulder is a place like no other. From wild and heady origins as a frontier town where fortunes were sought, to the prosperous, bustling 'Kal' of today, Kalgoorlie's rich heritage permeates the town and gives it a distinctive character.
Turn of the century architecture, including the magnificent Boulder Town Hall, the red outback just beyond the settlement's streets and nearby ghost towns make this area fascinating to visitors.
Kalgoorlie Boulder is one of the most important mining areas in the world. After Paddy Hannan found gold in the area in 1893, the town's population soared to 30,000. Today the population is again up to 30,000, after the discovery of nickel deposits in the north of the goldfields.
The towns Kalgoorlie and Boulder amalgamated in 1989. Until then they were separate towns side by side. Boulder's main street, Burt Street, is five kilometres from Kalgoorlie's centre, Hannan Street. Boulder was named after The Great Boulder Mine, the first mine on the Golden Mile.
In September, renowned horse race the Boulder and Kalgoorlie Cup takes place at the 100 year old Racing Round. Crowds from all over the State come to enjoy the town's festive atmosphere.
The largest indoor pool in Western Australia, great for a cooling dip to escape the outback heat, is on Johnston Street.
The town has a number of pubs and nightclubs, and live music is popular around town. Visiting artists perform regularly at the Arts Centre.
Kalgoorlie Boulder offers the visitor a wide range of restaurants and cafes and a variety of cuisines. Chinese, vegetarian, and Italian foods are available as well as pub counter meals, fast foods and pizzas.
Kalgoorlie Boulder offers many styles of accommodation, including caravan parks, camping grounds, hostels, hotels and motels.
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