Australia's Golden Outback - Gold! : DriveWA

Gold!

Great Fingal Mine Office in Cue, courtesy of John Denman

When Paddy Hannan discovered gold in Kalgoorlie in 1983, it started as a whisper but soon attracted fortune seekers from all over the globe. As prosperity was being discovered, more and more people descended upon the town. At first lonely clusters of tents were erected across the landscape but soon population explosions caused bustling gold rush towns to be formed.

Kalgoorlie is still Australia’s largest inland town and is at the heart of the gold mining industry; with the enormous Super pit mine still operational. The town itself still has the ambience of the old gold rush days, with broad streets and low buildings; many of which have railed balconies that reach out onto the streets.

Gold panning is one of Kalgoorlie’s unique activities, allowing visitors to experience the gold rush era first hand. A tour of the impressive open-cut Super Pit allows you to see the dramatic change in the way gold is excavated, due to profound technological development over the last century. Other activities include, watching a gold bar being poured, gold prospecting, and going under ground in one of the mines. Many memories both inspirational and heartbreaking can be found in museums; which display relics from the gold rush era.

During the gold rush in the 1890's a number of towns were established in the Goldfields, to accommodate for the sudden influx of people into the area. These towns boomed with hotels lining the main streets; a pub on every corner; butchers; bakers; schools; and churches providing facilities for people from all walks of life. However, most of them were abandoned once the gold rush was over leaving only Kalgoorlie and a few others remaining. The remains of these towns can still be seen today. Such towns include Ora Banda, Broad Arrow, and Kookynie. They are literally skeletons of their former glory days when they bustled with people hoping to find prosperity. It is still possible to explore the empty remains of buildings and even find some businesses that still operate there today.

There are many self drive tours you can do in this region. These will guide you through the history of the gold rushes in the 1890’s and explain how they affected the region. Two highly recommended trails include the Golden Quest Discovery Trail and the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail.

Best Western Hospitality Inn Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie has a rich history steeped in the romance, hard times and booming success of the Gold Mining Industry. more

Nallan Station

Experience warm hospitality and delicious homestyle cooking on this outback working cattle and sheep station. A ideal base to see historic Cue, Walga Rock, Aboriginal drawings, beautiful wildflowers, birdlife and wildlife. more

Gunbarrel Laager Travellers Rest

Experience the friendly atmosphere and wonderful starlit nights on the 200 hectare Gunbarrel Grapes property. The vineyard is ideally situated for travellers planning to undertake the Canning Stock Route to Halls Creek, or the Gunbarrel Highway to Alice Springs. more

Royal Flying Doctors Service Visitor Centre

Tour the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre and experience how this amazing organisation works. more

Western Australian Museum Kalgoorlie-Boulder

See this exceptional museum featuring the social and cultural history of the Eastern Goldfields. more

Gunbarrel Highway

Tin Horse Highway

The Tin Horse Highway in Kulin is a sight to be seen As October looms, one by one, new tin horses appear in the pasture and stubble paddocks lining the road now known as the "Tin Horse Highway" on the way to the Jilakin Race Track. Horses are made from all sorts of materials, striking all manner of poses. more

The National Hotel

The National Hotel was the last and smallest of four built during the goldrush years and the only one still standing. As the township shrank in the 1920s, "the National" became the hub of activity in Sandstone and remains that way today. Lovingly restored, the hotel now features a below ground swimming pool and spa, and offers a range of quality air-conditioned accommodation. more


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Gold!

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