The twin city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is Australia's largest Outback City with a population of around 30,000. The history of the gold rush years, bordellos and historic buildings are just some of the tourist attractions that draw visitors to these gold mining towns.
Getting around the top attractions of Kalgoorlie and Boulder is easiest when you have your own vehicle. If not most tourists spots are within a 20 km radius.
A stay of 2 to 3 days in Kalgoorlie or Boulder will allow you to get around all the attractions easily.
- Kalgoorlie Township
Stroll around the main street of Kalgoorlie to take in impressive historical buildings, pubs and hotels. Be sure to see the bronze statue of Paddy Hannon who is credited as the first person to discover gold in Kalgoorlie.
Prominent heritage buildings to look out for include the Kalgoorlie Town Hall built in 1908 with its sumptious Edwardian interior and impressive facade. Don't miss the government buildings including the old Post Office constructed of pink stone and dating back to 1899.
Paddy Hannon Statue, Kalgoorlie
Also while on Hannon Street go to St Barbara Square to see the lovely statue and fountain dedicated to Saint Barbara, who is recognised as the Patron Saint of Miners.
On Hay Street you will find Kalgoorlie's notorious red light district and see the few remaining 'starting stalls' where working women would tout for business. You can view various themed rooms by taking the Langtrees 181 brothel tour or hear more about the history of the sex industry in Kalgoorlie at Questa Casa - the only original brothel left in Kalgoorlie from a total of 23 brothels at the beginning of the 20th century.
Hay Street Brothel Kalgoorlie - The Superpit
Head to the public lookout of the Superpit on the outskirts of Kalgoorlie for views of the largest open pit gold mining operation in Australia. The Superpit roughly 300 metres deep is so vast that massive dump trucks carrying ore out of the mine around the clock look like minatures. The Superpit is approximately 8 square kilometres and produces around 900,000 ounces of gold every year. Open daily between 7.00am to 9.00pm.
Blasting Information: Public enquiry line on +61 8 9022 1100
Tours: Independent tour company Finders Keepers Adventure Tours - (08) 9093 2222. Tours are run on Boulder Market Day on the third Sunday of every month
Superpit, Kalgoorlie - Australian Prospectors and Mining Hall of Fame
At the Mining Hall of Fame explore Kalgoorlie’s first gold mine now a tourist mine. Try your hand at panning for gold, watch a traditional gold pour demonstration and wander around old mining equipment and buildings. Don a hard hat and take one of two informative underground tours with retired miners, 36 metres below ground. Open daily from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm
Where: Goldfields Highway, Kalgoorlie. Phone +61 8 9026 2700
Mining Tour, Kalgoorlie - Mt Charlotte Lookout
A short walk to the top of the Mt Charlotte Reservoir affords uninterrupted 360 degree views of Kalgoorlie and surroundings. Mt Charlotte is the end point of the 563 kilometres of piped water (the brainchild of C.Y.O'Connor completed in 1903) from the Mundaring Weir in Perth to the Goldfields.
Mt Charlotte Lockout. Kalgoorlie - Hammond Park
If you are travelling with children Hammond Park is likely to be a hit. Hammond Park offers a large children's playground, a kiosk, an historic band rotunda, bird avaries, a pond, peacocks, emus and kangaroos. Be sure to take a BBQ or picnic lunch and enjoy one of the many shady spots around the park.
- Boulder
Stroll along Burt Street in the historic town of Boulder just a short drive from Kalgoorlie and take in one of the most significant historical streetscapes in Western Australia.
Don't miss the Miner's Monument (miner holding an air leg drill) commemorating the death of over 1300 miners since the gold rush of the 1890's. Other significant buildings include the beautifully preserved Town Hall (corner of Burt and Lane Streets) which houses the rare Philip Goatcher Stage Curtain.
If time permits visit the Goldfields War Museum (allow a couple of hours) to view the large collection of warfare memorabilia including a tank, gun carrier and cannon.
Visit the Little Boulder Sweet Shop and be transported back in time with its many jars of confectionery and boiled sweets. - Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Centre
Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Centre located at the Kalgoorlie airport. Several tours a day chronicle the history and operations of the Royal Flying Doctor service and include real life accounts of people who have used the service. Open weekdays 10am to 3pm. Minimal entry fee. - Ora Banda
Drive out to Ora Banda (band of gold in Spanish), an historic pub, 65km north of Kalgoorlie. The restored pub serves hot food all day and has a lovely garden out the back to while away the afternoon.
Pub Ora Banda - Karlkurla Bushland Park
Karlkurla Bushland Park is only 4 kms and a 5 minute drive from the centre of Kalgoorlie. Karlkurla Bushland Park affords walking trails and a lookout within 200 hectares of regenerating bush. Take a stroll early morning or later in the day to discover the abundant birdlife and animals that inhabit the area. Karlkurla Bushland Park is home to such species as the Western Grey Kangaroo, Bobtail Lizard, Dragon Lizard, Pink and Grey Galahs and the Willy Wagtail.
Where: Off Riverina Way, Kalgoorlie
Karlkurla Bushland Park, Kalgoorlie - Kalgoorlie Arboretum
The Kalgoorlie Arboretum, set in 26 hectares of bushland, provides some excellent shady spots under gum trees to picnic. Make use of the informative plaques to help identify plant and birdlife along the walking trails and around the small dam.
- Scenic Flight
A 6 minute flight over the Super Pit and a 15 minute flight around the outskirts of the town are run by Jandakot Helicopter tours
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