Australian Travel & Tourism Network
Outback Western Australia

Outback Holidays Attractions
Western Australia

Hannans North
Led by an experienced guide, go underground to the original mine workings and witness the life of miners at the turn of the century. Back on top ride the surface railway around the seven hectare site featuring restored historic buildings and their displays, and mining machinery. Watch the unique method of refining gold in the Gold Pour demonstration. For safety reasons enclosed shoes must be worn underground.
Children 4 years and over are able to go underground.
Open 9am - 5pm daily except Christmas and Boxing Days.
Tours on demand. Allow 3 hours.
Telephone: (090) 914 074.

Boorara Fossicking Area
A gold prospecting package can be purchased from Kalgoorlie-Boulder Tourist Centre. Visitors can spend 1 day or a week camping on the lease, situated 18km from Kalgoorlie- Boulder. Metal detectors are also available for hire from Kalgoorlie-Boulder Tourist Centre. Telephone: (090) 211 966.

Bush 2 Up School
The original and only legal bush 2 Up where thousands of dollars change hands on the toss of the pennies. Daily from 3.30pm except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Historical Society Display
Displays of early Goldfields life including photographs, clothing, documents and various memorabilia. Photos can be purchased.
Located at the Boulder City Railway Station the display is open 9.00am- 12.00pm daily except Christmas and Boxing Days.
Burt Street.
Telephone: (090) 931 157.

School of Mines Museum
A fine collection of minerals as well as replicas of famous nuggets discovered in the Goldfields. Open 10.00am-4.00pm Monday to Friday except public holidays and Dec/Jan vacation.
Cassidy Street.
Telephone: (090) 805 000.

Hammond Park
With its mammals and birds Hammond Park makes an ideal picnic or barbecue setting. Shady parklands and aviaries surround the miniature Bavarian Castle built by George Kaspar in 1976 from an estimated 40,000 individual Goldfields gemstones.
Open daily 9.00am -5.00pm except Christmas Day.
Lyall Street.

Royal Flying Doctor Base
The communications base has a visitor centre open Monday to Friday 11.00am-3.00pm. If operators are available they will talk about the operations of the service and visitors can see a video of the RFDS.
Killarney Street.
Telephone: (090) 212 211

Museum of the Goldfields
The entrance to this magnificent modern museum is formed by the Ivanhoe headframe, the second largest headframe from the famous Golden Mile, A glass sided lift takes visitors to the viewing platform for the a birds eye view of the city and mines.

The approach is also remarkable for the botanical gardens on either side which exhibit native plants, their Aboriginal names and traditional uses. Gold and Sandalwood are two of the main themes of an impressive range of exhibits and 'hands on activities'. These include an underground vault containing specimens from the State Gold Collection and an outdoor sandalwood camp.

Hand crafted sandalwood products, gold nuggets and other fine jewellery are available from the museum shop.
Open daily 10.00am-4.30pm except Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Telephone: (090) 218 533.

Loopline Railway
Once the busiest railway station in Western Australia, the Loopline was the major form of transport for miners at the turn of the century. Today ride the 'Rattler' for an hour long commentated journey around the Golden Mile.
Train departs Boulder City Railway Station Monday to Saturday 10.00am, Sundays and Public Holidays 10.00am and 11.45am except Christmas and Boxing Days.
Burt Street.
Telephone: (090) 933 055.

The Gaol Tree
The tree is located in Hunt Street (over the old railway bridge). In the initial frenzy of the goldrush, fixed buildings were in short supply and therefore prisoners awaiting trial were chained to the tree. (Note the replica leg irons attached to tree).

Ben Prior's Open Air Museum
Located in central Bayley Street, this collection was started by Mr B.A. Prior in 1961. Dedicated to Western Australia's early explorers and the pioneers of the Goldfields, it features the machinery, boilers and mining equipment used in the region at the turn of the century.

Warden Finnerty's Residence
In 1895 the government authorized the building of a home for Warden Finnerty and his family. "The Residency", as it is known, is a striking example of early Australian architecture. It is furnished with Period furniture.
Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday 1.00pm- 4.00pm. Sunday 10.00am-12.00noon and 1.00pm-4.00pm. Closed Tuesday.

Gnarlbine and Victoria Rocks
Situated 30km south of Coolgardie, Gnarlbine Rocks played an important part in the opening up of the Goldfields as it was one of the few watering points which was known to the early prospectors. A further 18km south is the much larger and higher Victoria Rock, known for its unusual sculptured shapes and the extensive bushland view from its summit. Both are suitable for picnics.

Sons of Gwalia Gold Mine
With the exception of the Golden Mile, this was once the largest underground gold mine in Australia, eventually closing in 1963. The remains include the 25m headframe built in 1898 by the mine's first manager, Herbert Hoover, who later became President of The United States.

Gwalia Museum
Located in the old Sons of Gwalia mine office, is a fascinating display of artefacts depicting the lifestyles and history of Leonora, Gwalia and surrounding area dating back to the 1890's.

Gwalia Heritage Trail
Walking the 1km Gwalia Heritage Trail is the best way to experience the history of Gwalia. Built largely of galvanised iron in a style typical of the gold rush towns, Gwalia was actually so prosperous that the State's first electric trams ran here. Don't miss the State Hotel and the locomotive "Ken" nearby.

Ghost Towns
There were many short lived fields and mines in the Laverton area. They included "Burtville", "Gladiator", "Heffernans" and "Just in Time". All would repay the investment in a large-scale map from the Mines Department with which travellers can do their own exploring.

The Norseman Statue
This statue of the horse 'Norseman' is found in the main street. The horse allegedly pawed at the ground and unearthed a nugget of gold which started the Norseman gold rush.

Historical and Geological Collection
Many household items and mining tools from the gold rush days are on display here. The building was originally constructed for the School of Mines in1940.

Dundas Coach Road Heritage Trail
This 33km historical trail follows the original Cobb and Co. Coach route of the turn of the century.

Activities and sights include abandoned old mines, barbecue and picnic areas and panning for gold. The trail meanders through bushland, ending at the Lone Grave at the edge of Lake Dundas. Comprehensive map available from Tourist Bureau.

Gemstone Lease First obtain a $5 permit from the Tourist Bureau, then try your luck at fossicking for gemstones. The main stones which can be obtained include Moss Agate, Moss Opalite, and Gold Lace Agate.

Dundas Rocks Situated 22km south of Norseman off the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, Dundas Rocks is an excellent picnic area. The rock formations are 550 million years old, and there are also the foundations of the original Dundas townsite to explore.

All Photos courtesy of Tourism Western Australia

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