As we road-tripped across the Nullarbor and into Western Australia, our excitement about getting back to the Goldfields was on the rise. Yes, the allure of finding gold tempts many visitors hoping to find their El Dorado – but we’ve also learnt there’s much more to uncover in this region. With everything it offers, it’s little wonder the Goldfields keeps hold of seasoned travellers who recognise a wonderful travel hub when they see one. Here are some of our favourite area highlights to help you plan a Goldfields visit.
Exploring Kalgoorlie Boulder: The Heart of the Goldfields
Besides Kalgoorlie Boulder holding the title of Australia’s largest Outback city, it also has one of the most famous gold mining centres on the planet. Affectionately known these days as ‘Kal’, the city originally started out in the 1890s as the separate towns of Kalgoorlie and Boulder. The two towns eventually amalgamated almost 100 years later in 1989. Around Kal, there are plenty of things to see and do, and you could easily spend several days here (if not longer). Start by jumping on the tram tour to tap into some of the city’s history. Between taking guests past many gorgeous historic buildings and having a few brief stops at several city icons, we found this tour an excellent introduction and it helps to get your city bearings.
Although if hitting the streets and walking is more your style, the audio walking tour is the go. It captures the spirit of Kal through its in-depth commentary while visiting no less than 50 significant sites across the city. This tour alone can easily fill up a day, and there are plenty of city hotels and eateries to keep your thirst quenched and tummy full along the way. If time permits, be sure to head to at least one of the excellent city museums or perhaps take a tour of the gold mining superstar – the Super Pit. For a completely unique experience, head out to the Two-Up School on a Sunday. It’s the only place in WA where playing the game of two-up is legal.
