| Kalgoorlie
- At the heart of WA's largest goldmining area is the city of
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, 597 km E of Perth and located on the Golden
Mile, reputed to be the richest square mile in the world. Over
1300 tonnes of gold have been mined from this small area. Paddy
Hannan found gold in 1893 and by 1902 the population was 30
000, with 93 hotels. Fortunes were made overnight; impressive
stone buildings and wide streets are reminders of this golden
era. The tent camp on the Golden Mile near the Great Boulder
Mine became the town of Boulder. Tree plantings date from the
late 1 800s; many of the 50 species are eucalypts from the surrounding
woodlands. Determination and the brilliant scheme of engineer
C. I O'Connor saved the area from a crippling shortage of water
A pipeline completed in 1903 carried water 563 km from a reservoir
near Perth. Goldmining continues today in a climate of fluctuating
gold prices. The Kalgoorlie-Boulder region is also important
for high-quality wool. In town: Heritage walk along Hannan and
Burt sts, brochures available. Fine examples of early Australian
architecture in Hannan St: Exchange, Palace and Australia hotels;
Government buildings; Kalgoorlie Post Office; distinctive Kalgoorlie
Town Hall (1908), featuring original statue of Paddy Hannan,
impressive staircase, and paintings by local artists. Also in
Hannan St: Museum of the Goldfields, incorporating the British
Arms Hotel (1899), with display recalling heyday of gold-rush;
replica statue of Hannan; Desert Art Shop. Goldfields Aboriginal
Art Gallery, Dugan St. Paddy Hannan's Tree, Outridge Tce, marks
site of first gold find in Kalgoorlie. School of Mines Mineral
Museum, Egan St, md. world-class display of most minerals found
in WA. In Cassidy St, Goldfields Arts Centre has regular exhibitions.
At Hannans North Historic Mining Reserve, Broad Arrow Rd, underground
and surface tours, gold-pouring demonstrations. Super Pit Lookout,
off Eastern Bypass Rd. In Burt St: Boulder Town Hall (1908),
has unique Goatcher curtain and miners' monument; Goldfields
War Museum has personal war memorabilia and outdoor armoured
vehicle display. Picturesque Cornwall Hotel (1898), Chesapeake
St. Royal Flying Doctor Service Base, at airport (off Gatacre
St): serves one of largest areas in Australia; tours weekdays;
scenic flights over goldfields and Golden Mile Super Pit Lookout.
Hammond Park, Lyall St, a wildlife sanctuary with lake and model
of Bavarian castle. Karlkurla Bushland Park, off Riverina Way
in Hannans; guided tours Apr-Oct. Mt Charlotte Reservoir and
Lookout, off Sutherland St; reservoir is storage for Kalgoorlie's
vital fresh-water supply. The Loopline, a tourist railway line
around the Golden Mile; timetable at information centre. Sept.:
Kalgoorlie Cup; Spring Festival; Balzano Barrow Race. Dec.:
St Barbara's Festival. In the area: Carpet of wildflowers in
season. City is an ideal base for visiting old gold-mining towns
in district (all within a day's drive, all active, tours July-Oct.):
Coolgardie, 37 km SW; Broad Arrow, 38 km N; Ora Banda, 54 km
NW; Kookynie, 200 km N; Leonora and Gwalia, 235 km N. Scenic
flights, and bush tours including Aboriginal tours with local
Wongi people; WA's only legal Bush Two-up (a gambling game),
7 km N of Kalgoorlie-Boulder on eastern side of road to Menzies.
Rowles Lagoon, 34 km NW, excellent for water sports. Kurrawang
Emu Farm, 18 km W, also features Aboriginal artefacts (closed
Sun., tours available). At Kambalda, 55 km S: Red Hill Lookout;
Lake Lefroy; Fishing in the Desert competition each Sept. Rawlinna,
350 km E, hosts Nullarbor Muster each Apr. Visitor information:
250 Hannan St; (08) 9021 1966. Web site www.kalgoorlieandwagoldfields.com.au |
