DESTINATION: Coolgardie

A goldrush town born out of an alluvial strike at Fly Flat in 1892, Coolgardie in its heyday supported 23 hotels and 7 newspapers. Though the population dwindled as the gold ran out, today the town, 560km east of Perth, preserves an important history.

Main Attractions

On Bayley St, a Pharmacy Museum displays tools-of-the-trade in a recreated turn-of-the-century pharmacy. Adjacent is the Goldfields Exhibition Museum (1898) staging the state's most comprehensive goldfields exhibition, and the old Coolgardie Gaol. The Gaol Tree, complete with replica leg-irons, pre-dates the gaol and is located on Hunt St. The old Railway Station Museum recounts local and transport history, including the Varischetti mine rescue. Relics of the gold-mining era are also housed here. Also of interest are the Lindsay Pit Lookout; Ben Prior's Open Air Museum of machinery, mining equipment and assortment of relics; Warden Finnerty's House (1895) restored by the National Trust and open to the public; Lions Bicentennial Lookout; Coolgardie Cemetery; and the Old Pioneer Cemetery, in Forrest St, has graves from 1892 to 1894.

Nearby attractions

Coolgardie Camel Farm, 3km west, offers camel rides. Kurrawang Emu Farm, 20km east, offers tours and emu products. Picnic areas south of the town are at Gnarlbine Rocks (30km); Victoria Rocks (48km), known for its excellent views; and Burra Rock (55km). Rowles Lagoon, a 2km wide freshwater lake and reserve ideal for picnics and camping, is 60km to the north.

latest stories

No items changed yet.

Region: Goldfields

There is a real sense of 'frontier' in the Goldfields. The area has experienced a number of booms and busts, with fluctuating gold prices. What has endured in the wild-west pioneer spirit which nowadays combines a colourful history rich in extraordinary characters with high-technology mining. The towns of Kalgoorlie/Boulder and Coolgardie, 600kms east of Perth, were the products of the 1890's gold rush era and still sit on one of the richest gold mining area known to man. more

Local Weather

Tourist info

62 Bayley St, Ph: (08) 9026 6090

Local Videos

editors picks