Kalgoorlie, near the town of Boulder is located in the heart of the Goldfield Region of Western Australia where the first gold was found in 1893 by Irish prospectors Paddy Hannan, Thomas Flanagan and Dan Shea at the foot of Mt Charlotte. The ensuing throng of prospectors discovered seemingly inexhaustible deposits of gold in what came to be called the Golden Mile, the richest square mile of gold bearing earth in the world and Kalgoorlie became a thriving town.

However the problem of water supply was to hinder development of the town until CY O'Connor designed and constructed a 563 kilometre long pipeline to ensure a reliable water supply to the town.

As a result there are a myriad of natural and historical attractions.

Museums

The Historical Society Display is located at nearby Boulder City Railway Station and is a collections of photographs and memorabilia such as clothing and documentation pertaining to the lifestyle of the residents of the Goldfields.

The School of Mines Museum on Cassidy street has a comprehensive display of minerals and replicas of the most famous gold nuggets discovered in the area.

The Goldfields War Museum has a collection of war memorabilia ranging from documents, machinery and other artefacts. Located on Burt street the Museum is open weekdays from 10am to 4pm.

The Museum of the Goldfields is announced by the Ivanhoe headframe, the second largest headframe from the Golden Mile area. A glass lift transports visitors past an approach lined with native plants complete with Aboriginal names and uses to a viewing platform where magnificent views of the city and mines may be admired.

Gold and Sandalwood are the two main themes of the Museum and exhibits range from an underground vault with displays from the State Gold Collection and an outdoor Sandalwood Swamp. The Museum shop retails a wide range of sandalwood craft products, jewellery and gold nuggets and a cafe is open serving light meals and refreshments.

Hannan's North allows visitors to experience the something of the daily lives of miners in the early days of the town as they are led by a guide on a three hour tour of the mine area where the original mine workings can be seen as well as the restored mining buildings and machinery on the surface. A demonstration of Gold Pouring can be watched to gain an insight into the skill involved in refining the extracted gold. Covered footwear must be worn when underground and children under 4 are prohibited from touring underground.

Historic Sites

Paddy Hannan's Tree marks the site where the prospector and his colleagues discovered gold in 1893 and is located at Outridge Terrace near Mt Charlotte.

The Eastern Goldfields Heritage Trail commences in Hannan street and comprises of a 4 kilometres walk around the town and a 3 kilometre walk around the nearby settlement of Boulder, incorporating a number of historic attractions.

Kanowna was once a thriving mining town but today stands deserted , 22 kilometres north east of Kalgoorlie. Interesting half day and full day trips to the deserted ghost town can help visitors experience the atmosphere of the old gold mining days. Heritage guides are available from the Tourist Centre.

Information for those visitors wishing to discover their family roots in the area can be obtained from the Cemetery Information Office on Lyall Street. The office is a good base from which to start any research on ancestors who may have lived and worked in the Goldfields area. Open weekdays from 2pm to 4pm.

Kalgoorlie Town Hall was built in 1908 and contains an extensive collection of prized art, the original statue of Paddy Hannan and various local memorabilia. The Hall is open on weekdays from 9am to 4.30pm.

Boulder Town Hall was also completed in 1908 and today serves as an entertainment venue. Tours of the establishment can be arranged by contacting the Goldfields War Museum on Burt Street.

Natural Attractions

Hammond Park is home to a vast array of aviaries containing many bird species. Picnic and BBQ facilities are available and the visitor can stroll around the leafy park admiring the birds and the miniature Bavarian Castle built by George Kaspar in 1976 from 40,000 gemstones excavated from the local mines. The Park is open daily from 9am to 5pm except Christmas Day.

Mt Charlotte Reservoir and Lookout offers visitors a chance to see the engineering genius of CY O'Connor who designed and built the pipeline in 1903. Panoramic views of the area may be had from the lookout at this site.

The Golden Mile Supepit Lookout allows visitors to view the operations in the area from 7.15am to 4.15pm daily. Temporary closures occur during blasting operations.

Other Attractions

The Royal Flying Doctor Service operate tours of their premises from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 2.30pm.

The first and original Bush 2 Up School can be visited by those wishing to try their luck with this most Australian gambling game. Open daily from 3pm except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Boorara Fossicking Area is an ideal venue for visitors wishing to strike it lucky. Prospectors can spend half a day or a week camping on the property and fossick for gold. The gold prospecting package can be purchased and metal detectors can be hired from the Tourist Centre.

The Loopline Railway was once one of the busiest stations in Western Australia as it formed the major transport link for miners. Visitors can take a journey on the "Rattler" as it winds through the Golden Mile area and provides a running commentary for passengers. The Train departs from Boulder Railway Station on weekdays and Saturdays at 10am, and on Sundays and public holidays at 10am and 11.45am except Christmas and Boxing Day.

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