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City in Western Australia
Photo: Kalgoorlie_Post_Office_DSC04483.JPG: Original uploader was Yewenyi at en.wikipedia derivative work: Original uploader was Bonga at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kalgoorlie–Boulder is a regional city (pop. 30,000 in 2018) in the Goldfields–Esperance region of Western Australia. Kalgoorlie is a mining town with a long history that contains much of interest to the adventurous traveller. Over a hundred years of mining wealth has produced some beautiful old buildings that house pubs, post offices and general shops.
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Headstones with a story. Graves of mining pioneers from the early 1900s.
An ornately framed mirror given to the hotel in 1898 by Herbert Hoover, later to become the US president. While working as a mine manager in nearby Leonora he frequented the hotel when in Kalgoorlie. He was said to be so smitten with a particular barmaid that on returning to the US he sent the mirror as a token of his affections.
The towering framehead that marks the buildings entrance gives a hint that this is no ordinary museum. Gold nuggets and other glittering items are displayed in an underground vault and the second floor is taken up with Indigenous cultural objects, historical artifacts from the early mining days and a collection of crumbling trade union banners in the adjoining British Arms Hotel. A viewing platform on the headframe gives you a good look over the town and yonder.
A replica of the statue of the great man who found a nugget that founded a town. Sit on his knee and have a drink from the water fountain protruding from his water bag like every other visitor has for the past 100 years.
Watch trucks lumber in and out of the 3 km-long hole where most of the town's wealth is extracted. Information boards and a collection of antiquated mining equipment provide a background on the history and processes of the mine. You can call 08 9022 1100 to find out planned blasting times.
One of the early mine sites is now an open-air museum with many mining buildings, machinery and exhibits.
The reservoir is the end of a remarkable series of pipes and pumps that brought fresh water to Kalgoorlie. As well as a bit of information, the site on the hill is also the best lookout over Kalgoorlie city.
A pair of cemeteries, a length of train platform and the occasional broken whiskey bottle are all that remains of a once thriving town of 12000 that occupies a flat plain pockmarked with abandoned mines. Take a drive around the streets past signs identifying where now invisible stores, hotels and businesses once stood.
On the edge of town is an expansive nature reserve filled with Salmon Gums, Blackbutt and the silky pear that gives the park its name. A network of trails criss-cross the main 4-km loop that leads uphill to an elevated viewing platform, allowing good views over surrounding plain. Infrequent information boards identify salient tree and plant species. Wildlife tend to stay out of sight, though the flies are annoyingly abundant on warm afternoons.
Various events in celebration of the semi-mythical St Barbara who hid in a mine from her murderous father. The main event is a parade down Hannan St of miners in their building sized dump trucks.
If you've ever been curious about what goes on in a brothel this could be a good way to answer your questions without all the embarrassment. Questa Casa is said to be the oldest operating brothel in town. You get to see around the facilities, learn about the history and hear the lurid stories of past patrons antics. Tours start at 3pm each day.
In an early 20th-century textile warehouse, the restaurant has an assortment of tables, booths and couches under a high roof to accommodate a quiet lunch or a bit group. The food is typical cafe style fare but it is consistently good. They possibly, the best coffee in town.
A small stylish place with a relaxing alfresco area. Popular with locals. The menu is nothing out of the ordinary but the quality is better than average. The bar with limited beer and wine choices. The breakfasts are large and the coffee is great.
Authentic tasting and well prepared dishes that tend toward subtle spices rather than a full on curry burn. Some say it's a bit salty. Quick service for both dine in and take away.
Authentic taste of both styles, though the Japanese menu wins for number of dishes you can't get anywhere else in town. The $8-15 lunch sets are popular.
Licensed restaurant just off the main street that serves flavourful tapas and slow cooked meats.
Modern Australian cuisine overlooking the main street, located in the historic Palace Hotel.
Tucked away behind the visitor centre, it has all the things you'd expect.
A range of basics foods and a little deli counter with some pre-made dishes. Other IGA stores in town are open till 8:30PM.
A mishmash selection of sauces, spices, noodles and fishballs from all over the Asia map.
A wider variety of fruit and veg than the place across the road.
This pub features a cosmopolitan beer garden with acoustic sessions on weekends, a workers bar with skimpys most days at the front of the property, and a Pub Tab betting agency. Great views of the street at dusk, especially from the top verandah.
An Irish-themed pub that also has some good food. Traditional place for after work drinks. The front bar of the Exchange Hotel (where Paddys is located) has skimpys most hours of the day.
Consistently decent coffee. It's generally packed with breakfasters on weekend mornings, so even if you can find a seat, expect a lengthy wait for your order to come.
Dorm and single/twin rooms with air-conditioning, swimming pool to beat the summer and open fireplace to bear the winter.
Budget accommodation right in the centre of town.
The name has been changed but the hotel is the same. The rooms feel a bit worn but they are bigger than average and kept clean. Price includes free continental breakfast.
A historic place to stay has a wide range rooms that feel like a bit of a step down from the grand entry.
Stylish rooms a fair step away from the main drag.
Very neat grounds with gravel or concrete sites with a grassed area. The grassy tent sites have clean campers kitchen with a fridge and BBQ. Swimming pool.
Accommodation is varied and caters for families, couples and single travellers as well as caravan and camping sites for those on the road. The children are well catered for with a swimming pool and playground, whilst the camp kitchen and BBQ facilities are a social meeting point for our caravan and camping guests.
The park caters for tourists seeking overnight accommodation in air conditioned chalets and cabins, as well as caravan and camping sites, including sites for large motorhomes. Powered, ensuite and tent sites are available with special weekly rates on offer if you decide to stay a little longer. Facilities include BBQs and gas swap or refill. Goldminer Caravan Park has plenty of shade and clean ablutions and laundries.
If you walk past the popular fiction and hardcovers you will find a small collection of small-run books on Kalgoorlie history selling for astronomical prices.
A bright pink shop with stacked with equally colourful old style lollies and other tasty oddments. If you don't have a sweet tooth, some say the bacon flavoured nuts are tasty.
Along Burt St & Loopline Park
Stalls of crafty items and a bit of fresh fruit and veg.
By bus
By car
Kalgoorlie is the end point for three major highways. From Perth, the Great Eastern Hwy is the most direct path (596 km, 6-7 hours).
By plane
Alliance, Qantas Virgin all fly from Perth. Parking can be a problem as the carpark is often full with cars left behind by fly-in/fly-out workers. Taxis wait for every arriving flight.
By train
Kalgoorlie is on the interstate line that sees regular passenger services. The train station is in the main part of town within walking distance of backpackers and some hotels.
By car
All the major rental car companies have booths at the airport. There is a big demand from the mining companies, especially during trade exhibitions so it would be worthwhile to book well in advance.
By taxi
There are plenty of taxis that operate late into the night in the entertainment areas along Hannan St. The usual taxi charges apply.
By bus
Three routes of Transperth buses circle around town about every hour during the daylight hours. Weekend services are limited to the mornings.
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Broadwood · Regional · KGI
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