The Super Pit, Kalgoorlie
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Super Pit is definitely one of the goldfields outstanding attractions. Although really nothing more than a hole in the ground, it is nevertheless a huge and expensive one by any standards. During the past 100 years this goldfield has produced over 1000 tonnes of precious metal, and not for nothing has it been recognized as the richest square mile on earth. In terms of output the “Golden Mile” ranks second only the vastly more extensive Rand Goldfields of South Africa, and Canada’s Porcupine mine. A point to ponder: Nullarbor Net suggests the next time you’re in the market for a wedding ring spare a thought for the guys working in the Super Pit!
Access to the Super Pit viewing platform is made by taking the Outram Street turnoff from the Goldfields Highway. Admission is free and opening hours are from 6am to 7pm daily. It’s best to take photographs of the Super Pit in the middle of the day – at other times shadows can obscure large areas of the mine. Visitors might be also interested to check with the Kalgoorlie Visitors Information Centre for daily blast times.
Related Travel Information
Kalgoorlie
Kalgoorlie is located 40 kilometres east of Coolgardie, 595 kilometres east of Perth and 200 kilometres north of Norseman. The traditional landowners of the Kalgoorlie area are the Maduwangka people and the name Kalgoorlie is said to mean "Silky Pear Bush" in the local aboriginal language.
European settlement of Kalgoorlie began in June 1893 with the discovery of rich alluvial gold deposits near Mount Charlotte. The three Irish gold prospectors credited with the discovery were Paddy Hannan, Dan Shea and Tom Flanagan. Paddy Hannan later reported discovering 8 pounds of gold nuggets to the mining warden in Coolgardie, and within
School of Mines Museum - Cassidy Street Kalgoorlie
The WA School of Mines Museum will definitely appeal to those of you with a keen interest in geology and mineralogy. This museum houses a collection of approximatel 3000 mineral specimens along with replicas of famous gold nuggets. The School of Mines Museum is located on the corner of Cassidy Street and McDonald's Street in Kalgoorlie. Opening hours are 8-30am to 12-30 pm Monday to Friday. Please note the museum is closed for public and school holidays. Admission is free.
For a short diversion of an hour or so Boulder's Loopline Tourist Railway
Kalgoorlie-Boulders Historic Buildings
Residents of Western Australia's Goldfields are justifiably proud of their rich architectural heritage. Dotted throughout Kalgoorlie-Boulder are a host of old miner's cottages and heritage buildings dating from Australia's federation period of architecture - the late 1890s to early 1900s. Not surprisingly for a gold mining town many of the finest examples of federation architecture include lovingly restored hotels.
Kalgoorlie's main thoroughfare is Hannan Street and here visitors can view a number of fine old buildings such as the Exchange Hotel, Palace Hotel, the Old Australia Hotel and the York Hotel. Important civic buildings within the area include
Boulder Pharmacy Museum, Kalgoorlie
Boulder's Pharmacy Museum is located within a chemist shop that has been continuously operating for over 100 years. The museum's collection includes a vast array of medicines and original pharmaceutical bottles dating from the 19th century. Essential medical tools dating from the period are also on display. If you find this display interesting we recommend you pay a visit to Coolgardie's Pharmacy museum. Boulder's Pharmacy museum is open from 8-50 am to 5-30 pm Monday to Friday, and 8-50 am to 12-30 pm on Saturdays.
Goldfields War Museum, Kalgoorlie
Military history enthusiasts will definitely find the Goldfields War Museum worth a visit for an hour or two. Exhibits within the museum include a large number of armoured vehicles, weapons, uniforms and an extensive collection of wartime relics and memorabilia. Of particular interest is the photographic collection which documents the widespread participation of the Goldfields community in every campaign from the Boer War to Vietnam. Other displays include a large number of moving letters written by Australian soldiers to their loved ones, with many of the detailing the daily hardships of a soldier's life. Opening hours for
