Damon Mcknight
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, is a place rich in history, with its gold rush past and present-day Super Pit mine. Located in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields, approximately 600 kilometres east of Perth, Kalgoorlie offers a range of attractions for visitors. From its grand heritage buildings to the natural beauty of the surrounding landscapes, there is much to explore. The town boasts the largest open-air museum in the region, where visitors can learn about the gold rush history and modern-day mining. The Museum of the Goldfields showcases the rich history of the Eastern Goldfields and displays a glittering collection of gold bars and nuggets. The town's art scene is also vibrant, with the Goldfields Arts Centre housing two premier art galleries. The Antony Gormley sculptures at Lake Ballard, about 50km northeast of Menzies, are another popular attraction. For those interested in the region's history, the Kalgoorlie Town Hall and the Boulder Town Hall are must-visits, offering a glimpse into the architectural style of the prosperous gold rush days.
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What You'll Learn
Visit the Museum of the Goldfields
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, is a place rich in history, particularly regarding the gold rush era. The Museum of the Goldfields is a must-visit destination to learn about the region's mining history and the town's unique role in Western Australia's development. Located at 17 Hannan Street, the museum showcases the Eastern Goldfields' rich history and the city's mining heritage. Here are some key aspects to explore during your visit:
The Museum's Exhibitions and Displays: The Museum of the Goldfields offers a range of unique exhibitions and displays that bring the region's mining history to life. Step back in time to discover how prospectors searched for gold and admire the glittering collection of gold bars and nuggets on display. The museum holds the largest display of the State's gold collection. Learn about the hardships faced by mining families during the early 1900s and explore the cultural diversity of the region through multimedia exhibitions that include portraits, languages, and landscapes.
The Ivanhoe Headframe: The iconic Ivanhoe Headframe is a Kalgoorlie landmark that sits above the Museum of the Goldfields. Climb up to the viewing platform to enjoy wonderful views of the town. The Headframe is also a reminder of the region's mining past, offering a unique perspective on the town's history.
Aboriginal History and Culture: The Museum of the Goldfields provides insights into the Aboriginal history and culture of the region. Learn about the Western Desert cultural bloc and discover the values and laws established during Tjukurrpa. Understand the importance of yiwarra, the ancient tracks, networks, and trade routes used by Aboriginal people throughout Western Australia. The museum also displays rare Trade Union banners from the Goldfields, showcasing the labour history of the region.
Historic Buildings and Cottages: Take a step back in time by exploring the old miners' cottages and buildings in the rear garden of the museum. These include the 1930s Miners Cottage, the Woodline Police Office, and the British Arms Hotel. You can also experience the opulence of the early goldfields mining entrepreneur Charles De Bernales' (or Claude DeBernale's) office and the Kalgoorlie boardroom from the early 1900s.
Guided Tours: To enhance your experience, consider joining a guided tour of the museum. The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Visitors' Centre offers informative tours that provide deeper insights into the exhibits and the town's history. These tours are a great way to ensure you don't miss any important details during your visit.
The Museum of the Goldfields is an essential stop on your trip to Kalgoorlie, offering a comprehensive understanding of the region's mining history, cultural significance, and the impact of the gold rush. By visiting the museum, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for Kalgoorlie's past and its place in Western Australia's development.
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Explore the ghost towns
Kalgoorlie in Western Australia is a place rich in history, particularly from the gold rush era. The town is surrounded by several ghost towns that were once thriving mining centres. These ghost towns offer a fascinating insight into the past and are definitely worth exploring.
Gwalia
Gwalia is considered the crown jewel of ghost towns in the region. The town was abruptly abandoned in 1963 when the local mine closed, and it has since been transformed into a museum. Locals have lovingly restored many of the old miner's cottages, which now form part of the museum precinct. The museum offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the miners, with cottages furnished as if their owners have just stepped out. Nearby, the historic Hoover House has been converted into a Bed and Breakfast and a small café, where visitors can enjoy coffee and cake.
Goongarrie
Goongarrie is another ghost town in the Western Goldfields, located north of Kalgoorlie. Here, you'll find a series of three houses from the old Railway Station Master's Office, surrounded by wildflowers and ghost gums. As you explore the houses, you may find collapsing floorboards and signs of recent habitation, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Goongarrie also has a cemetery, which offers a poignant glimpse into the lives and deaths of those from the gold rush era.
Broad Arrow
All that remains of the old Broad Arrow township are a few houses, a junkyard of vehicles, and a historic water tank. Despite the limited remnants, it is still worth visiting to imagine the town's former life during the gold rush.
Menzies
Menzies is another ghost town in the region, known for its eerie encounter with 51 mystical sculptures by Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley. These sculptures cast haunting shadows on the salt pans of Lake Ballard, creating a unique and memorable experience.
Exploring the ghost towns of Kalgoorlie offers a chance to connect with the area's rich history and imagine the lives of those who sought their fortunes during the gold rush era. It is a unique and fascinating experience, providing a different perspective on the vibrant town of Kalgoorlie and the surrounding landscape.
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Take a guided tour of the Super Pit mine
Kalgoorlie, in the heart of Western Australia's goldfields, is a place steeped in history. The discovery of gold in 1893 brought prospectors from far and wide, and the legacy of this era lives on today in the Super Pit mine.
The Super Pit, located in the nearby town of Boulder, is a staggering 3.5 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide. It is the largest open-pit gold mine in Australia and one of the largest in the world. The mine produces an incredible 900,000 ounces of gold each year and is large enough to be visible from space.
A guided tour of the Super Pit offers a unique and educational experience. Tours depart from Kalgoorlie Tours and Charters in the heart of Kalgoorlie and last around 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Visitors are required to follow strict safety protocols, including wearing appropriate footwear and clothing. The tour takes you through the vast mine site, where you'll encounter enormous dump trucks and witness modern mining machinery in action. From Harvey Hut, you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the old miner's workings and shafts, giving you a sense of the mine's history and scale.
After the tour, a visit to the Hannans North Tourist Mine is a great way to complete the experience. Here, you can see blast footage, explore a decommissioned truck, and admire a scale model of the Fimiston Open Pit. The Hannans North attraction provides an insightful look into the world of mining and is perfect for families, school groups, and anyone curious about Kalgoorlie's mining heritage.
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Visit the Town Halls of Kalgoorlie and Boulder
Kalgoorlie and Boulder, located in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields, were once separate towns with separate municipalities. However, they amalgamated in 1989 to form the municipality of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, with the Kalgoorlie Town Hall serving as the sole "seat of power". Both town halls were built in 1908 during the gold rush days and are heritage-listed buildings.
The Kalgoorlie Town Hall, with its grand facade and rich interior decoration, reflects the immense wealth and civic pride of the community during the gold boom. The building features ornate pressed metal ceilings, chandeliers, a sweeping staircase, a fly tower with original theatre rigging, and backstage areas with 11 dressing rooms. The upstairs foyer houses the Sporting Hall of Fame, showcasing photographs of local sporting heroes and memorabilia commemorating important events in the town's history. The Council Chambers and Mayor's Parlour on the first floor contain various objects, photographs, and paintings of historical significance and continue to host council meetings. The original Paddy Hannan statue, created by sculptor John Macleod in 1929, is located inside the hall to protect it from vandalism.
The Boulder Town Hall, an imposing brick and stone building with a clock tower, showcases the architectural style of the prosperous gold rush era. The hall features pressed tin ceilings, filigree wrought iron balustrades, and the rare and famous Goatcher Curtain, believed to be the last remaining working stage curtain of its kind in Australia. The curtain, created by renowned theatre artist Philip Goatcher, depicts the Bay of Naples scene and has graced the hall since 1908. The Boulder Town Hall was the main hub of community life in Boulder and hosted celebrity performers such as Dame Nellie Melba, Eileen Joyce, Joan Sutherland, and even the rock band AC/DC.
Guided tours of both town halls are available. The Kalgoorlie Town Hall offers tours on Mondays (excluding public holidays) and Wednesdays at 10:30 am for a small fee. The Boulder Town Hall conducts tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am, also for a nominal charge. These tours provide a great opportunity to learn about the history and architectural features of the halls and gain insights into the rich heritage of the twin towns.
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Hike up Mount Charlotte
Kalgoorlie, in the heart of Western Australia's goldfields, is a place steeped in history and natural beauty. One of the best ways to experience this is by hiking up Mount Charlotte, a short walk from the Museum of the Goldfields.
The walk to the summit of Mount Charlotte is an easy one, and the views from the top are well worth the effort. As you stand at the top, you'll be rewarded with a panoramic outlook of Australia's largest outback city, Kalgoorlie, and the rich goldfields that surround it. This contrast of the sprawling outback city with the vast, natural landscape is a sight to behold, especially at sunset, when the golden hour light bathes the land in a warm glow.
Mount Charlotte also holds historical significance. It marks the terminus of the Golden Pipeline, one of Australia's most remarkable engineering achievements. Completed in 1903, this 560-kilometre pipeline carries water, a precious resource, from Mundaring Weir in the Perth Hills to the thirsty goldfields of Kalgoorlie. The pipeline's founding father, CY O'Connor, faced immense opposition to his plan, and sadly, he didn't live to see its completion. However, his legacy lives on, and you can learn more about it through the interpretive signage at Mount Charlotte.
The hike up Mount Charlotte is a great way to immerse yourself in the region's history and appreciate the engineering feats that made life possible in this arid environment. It also offers a chance to reflect on the gold rush era that shaped the region's fortunes and attracted fortune seekers from far and wide. So, whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a relaxing walk with a view, hiking up Mount Charlotte should definitely be on your itinerary when visiting Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Kalgoorlie, located in the Western Australian Goldfields, is a town steeped in gold rush history. Here are some things to do:
- Visit the Museum of the Goldfields to learn about the history of the Eastern Goldfields and see a glittering collection of gold bars and nuggets.
- Take a guided tour of the Super Pit, one of the world's largest open-cut mines, and learn about the modern-day mining that continues in the region.
- Explore the Town Halls of Kalgoorlie and Boulder, which showcase the architectural style of the prosperous gold rush era.
Kalgoorlie offers a range of outdoor experiences:
- Walk to the summit of Mount Charlotte for sunset views over the outback city.
- Visit Lake Ballard, home to an outdoor art gallery featuring 51 mystical sculptures by Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley.
- Explore the Karlkurla Bushland Park, a woodlands environment with wildlife and the Katunga lookout, offering panoramic views of the famous Kalgoorlie sunset.
Kalgoorlie has several unique experiences on offer:
- Visit the ghost town of Menzies, located near Lake Ballard, and discover the eerie sculptures of Antony Gormley cast against the salt pans.
- Take a Heartwalk tour and discover captivating murals created by local artists, adding a splash of colour to the town.
- Visit the Kalgoorlie Two-Up School, a character-filled pub from 1896, offering a bite to eat and a quiet drink.
There are several interesting towns and attractions within a short distance of Kalgoorlie:
- Coolgardie, located 35km southwest, was the birthplace of the 1892 gold rush and is home to excellent attractions and historic buildings.
- The town of Menzies, 130km north, is a gateway to Lake Ballard and offers a cluster of gorgeous old buildings for exploration.
- Boorabbin National Park, located on the Great Eastern Highway, is a great spot to experience the natural beauty of the region while en route to or from Perth.
