Kalgoorlie is the largest city in the Outback, surrounded by stark desert beauty and rich in history. This vibrant mining town is the perfect base for your great Aussie road trip. Whether you’repanning for gold, enjoyingtheambience of an outback pub, or gold-shopping onHannan Street, you’ll find plenty of unique, extraordinary experiences as well as a great introduction to the beauty of the back-of-beyond.
You can experience Kalgoorlie pub culture at the iconic Exchange Hotel. The building contains the Wild West bar and Paddy’s Irish pub. Paddy’s is considered one of Kalgoorlie’s top eateries, and should be on every visiting foodie’s must-visit list.
Next, stroll down Hannan Street. The gold rush-era heritage architecture combined with the latest brands makes for a fascinating juxtaposition. You could also shop for Kalgoorlie’s best-known export – gold – at one of the many jewellers on this street.
Kalgoorlie was founded as a gold-rush town and is still an active gold-mining hub. A visit to WA Museum is perfect for learning about the town’s past and present. The Hannans North Tourist Mine is educational and fun for the whole family.
You won’t want to miss the Super Pit, an extraordinary man-made attraction: this working gold-mining pit produces approximately 28 tonnes of gold annually. At over 3km long, 1.5km wide and 570m deep, it can be seen from space.
Further afield, you’ll find remnants of many once-thriving ghost towns. A trip to Broad Arrow, 38km north of Kalgoorlie is a treat. The town is abandoned except for one pub, the Broad Arrow Tavern, which is full of outback charm.
Another pub that’s worth visiting is the Metropole Hotel in Boulder, only 10 mins drive from central Kalgoorlie. Built above a mine shaft, part of the floor has been replaced with Perspex so that you can see underneath your feet right into the shaft below.
The rugged-but-friendly appeal of the Kalgoorlie area, combined with its coarse beauty, makes for a trip to remember. Have a chat with the locals – they’re passionate about their home, with plenty of insider information to whet your appetite. Make sure you leave time to properly explore everything that this hidden gem has to offer!
