Australia's Golden Outback - Gold! : DriveWA

Gold!

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

Travelling in the Outback, courtesy of John Denman

Bureau of Meteorology

Visitors are welcome to visit the weather bureau and learn about their role in predicting the weather in the Nullabor and Australia. more

Williams Telecentre

Community Telecentres can be used to access Telephone, Fax, Email and Internet services and are independent incorporated bodies owned by the community. They provides services which stimulate the creative use of telecommunications and computer technology for information access, education, employment, training and business enterprise. more

Watson's Way Country Stay and Tours

Watson’s Way, a grain growing property situated 72 kilometres north east of Mukinbudin, near the hundred year old Rabbit Proof Fence. Close to massive granite outcrops and surrounded by numerous wildflowers in spring. Accommodation is available in 3 comfortable air-conditioned units, which are fully self-contained. more

Wave Rock

Wave Rock is a spectacularly surreal experience. Located near the small town of Hayden, just 350 kilometres east of Perth, Wave Rock is an amazing prehistoric attraction; a giant wave just about to break! more

Yalgoo

Located 498km north-east of Perth and with a population of over 700, Yalgoo is a very small settlement which appeals generally for historic reasons. The area is famous for its spectacular fields of wildflowers in July-September commonly known as everlastings. more


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Gold!

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