GOLDFIELDS
A few hundred kilometers east of Perth, a handful of gold mining towns cling tenaciously to an existence in the middle of WA’s desert- Since 1903, water has been piped into the region and signs everywhere warn against wastage. People seeking employment follow this trickle toward Kalgoorlie, the center of the local mining industry. Although there are a handful of sights in the area, Kal is a long way from, anything and not much of a destination in itself. If you’re heading west to Perth from Eyre, you’re probably better off circumventing this area and heading south instead. The coastal towns along the scenic South Coast Highway make for a much better trip.
Related Travel Information
Goldfields and Coolgardie Museum, Coolgardie
The Goldfields and Coolgardie Museum is located on Bayley Street adjacent to the Coolgardie Tourist Bureau. Housed within the historic Mining Warden's Court Building, this fine museum offers an excellent introduction to the early colourful social history of the Coolgardie Goldfields. Excellent photographic displays depict Coolgardie's early years and the hardships endured on the goldfields. A number of period rooms are on display along with a wide collection of historical memorabilia and aboriginal cultural artefacts. A feature of the collection is the Waghorn bottle and curio collection. Coolgardie's Goldfield's Museum is definitely well worth visiting for
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
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
Wiluna
Wiluna is an outback town with friendly people and a real bush atmosphere. The town is the starting or finishing point for the Canning Stock Route (an 1,800 kilometre track from Wiluna to Halls Creek) and is located on the Goldfields Highway, joining Meekatharra, Leonora and Kalgoorlie.
The town prospered with the discovery of gold in 1891, however today it is chiefly an administrative centre. Citrus orchards and emu farms are some of the successful local industries.
Wiluna offers visitors counter meals and accommodation at the local hotel/motel, and accommodation is also available at the Wiluna caravan park.
The most eastern
King Battery
16 km north of Kambalda, just off the Goldfields Highway, are the substantial remnants of an enormous gold stamper battery where tonnes of ore were crushed at the end of the 19th century.
