Kalgoorlie-Boulder owes its existence to gold and mining. The city, often referred to as simply “Kalgoorlie”, was founded during a gold rush in the late 19th century and gold mining operations continue to this day. Visit a working gold mine, go gold prospecting and explore the city’s rich mining heritage. Nature lovers also have a lot to look forward to with a visit to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, because the city is surrounded by the rugged Australian outback and national parks.
To get a feel for the city's past, go on a walking tour of the downtown area to see historic buildings from Kalgoorlie's early days. These include Kalgoorlie Post Office, the Town Hall, the Exchange Hotel and the Palace Hotel. Stop by the statue and water fountain sculpted in the form of Patrick Hannan, the prospector who first found gold in the area.
Discover how prospectors used to search for gold when you tour the Western Australian Museum-Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Marvel at its large collection of gold bars and nuggets. Go on your own search for the precious metal with a gold prospecting tour, which can be organised with local companies.
Visit the Super Pit, an open-cut gold mine that stretches more than 3.6 kilometres (2.2 miles) in length and plunges to a depth of 512 metres (1,680 feet). This vast hole in the ground produces up to 24,097 kilograms (53,125 pounds) of gold every year.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder is also a wonderful place to come for outdoor activities. Stroll along the walking trails of Karkula Bushland Reserve, see kangaroos and emus at Hammond Park and hike parts of the Great Western Woodlands. Among the city’s sporting attractions are the Kalgoorlie Golf Course and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club where you can watch horse races and visit the course’s history museum.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder is 596 kilometres (370 miles) inland from Perth. Fly into Kalgoorlie Airport or reach the city by interstate train or regional bus from Perth. Tour the compact city centre and its architectural attractions on foot. A rental car is a good idea if you want to explore the surrounding landscape.
