Coolgardie

Coolgardie was the first major goldrush town. In early years, the now more substantial mining centre of Kalgoorlie - Boulder to the east was in the East Coolgardie area.
Things shift, mining towns come and go, and Coolgardie is an elegant set of remains of the older town along the main street.

• Coolgardie Tourist Bureau

  phone: +61 8 9026 6090
  address: 62 Bayley St
  A small office in the old town hall will tell you where things are or if any roads are closed.

No regular air services to Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie is the closest airport.

By train

• The Perth - Kalgoorlie Prospector train service is nearest to Coolgardie at Bonnie Vale station, 14 km north of town.

By car

• From Perth it's 557km east on the Great Eastern Highway, 32km short of Kalgoorlie. It passes right through the middle of town.
• From Esperance it's 368km north on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway.

Most of sights are along either side of a 500m stretch of Bayley St, though the street is so wide you won't want to cross it too many times.

Along the road side and on significant buildings are information boards explaining the history of what stands (or once stood) here.

• Ben Prior's Park

  address: Beyley St
  A rusty collection of old mining and agricultural machinery.

• Coolgardie Cemetery

  address: Beyley St
  Some of the oldest headstones in the region tell a story of the fortunes and misfortunes of the early pionering prospectors. The prominent grave of legendary explorer Ernest Giles is a few rows down on to the left of entry gate. He saw out his last days in Coolgardie working in a government office.

• Jack Carin's Camp

  address: Great Eastern Hwy
  The ramshackle home of legendary prospector known for riding his bike into town. He was knocked from his bike and took his own life shortly after getting out of hospital. Try to ignore the huge mine only meters away.

• Old Post OfficeAt the time of its construction the local press criticized it as the most unremarkable building in town. Age has not lent it any more grace, but it's worth a look.

Further afield

• Burra Rock

  address: Burra Rock Rd
  Site of an ingenious dam built to supply water to the trains of the old woodline. The dam it still full and the wall of grannite slabs that fringe the rock is a remarkable site. Picnic and campsites here only have toilets as far as facilities go.

• Victoria Rock

  address: Victoria Rd
  The largest hill in the area that gives a good view from the fairly tame peak. Camping spots are quiet and sheltered.

• Coolgardie Day

  address: Along Beyley St
  An annual event held each September to coincide with the end of the Kalgoorlie Race round. Stalls, carnival rides, antique car parades and the odd bit of entertainment. Also probably the only time you will see bumper to bumper traffic on the Highway as the entire town and half of Kal head toward Beyley street.

There are hotels and a caravan park on the main street.

Phone

A satellite phone would be useful to have in an emergency if you intend to spend an extended amount of time off the beaten track.

• Travelling east

• Kalgoorlie-Boulder - A gold mining town with enough history and vibrant eateries to fill the giant hole in the ground where its fortune comes from.

Travelling west

• Southern Cross

Travelling south

• Norseman

Further south

• Esperance