Visit Kalgoorlie – The Mining Town in the heart of Australia’s Far West

Kalgoorlie, also known as Kalgoorlie-Boulder, is a historic mining town located in the heart of Australia’s far west, in Western Australia. With a rich heritage dating back to the gold rush era, Kalgoorlie offers a unique blend of history, culture, and modern mining industry. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a mining aficionado, or a traveler seeking a unique outback experience, Kalgoorlie has something to offer everyone.

Kalgoorlie: The Wild West of Australia

When you arrive in “Kal” – as Kalgoorie is called by the locals – it quickly becomes clear: things are different here compared to the rest of Australia. Huge haul trucks, off-road vehicles, miners in hi-vis and gold traders wherever you look, around a quarter of the local workforce is tied to the mining industry, in a town of roughly 30,000 people.

Entry & Access

Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia’s largest outback city, is located about 600 km east of Perth, accessible via 6.5 hour drive, the Prospector train, or a 1-hour flight from Perth Airport. Train tickets cost between $90 and $100 per person and travel time from Perth is around 7 hours.

A bit of History

Kalgoorlie was founded in 1893 during the Western Australian gold rush. The discovery of gold by prospectors Paddy Hannan, Tom Flanagan, and Dan O’Shea transformed the region into one of the richest goldfields in the world. The town quickly grew as thousands flocked to the area in search of fortune. Today, Kalgoorlie is a vibrant town that honors its rich mining heritage while embracing modernity.

To see in Town

To get your visit to this city, which will certainly transport back you to one of the Western films of your childhood, off to a good start, head to the Visitor Centre. It is located at the very end of Hannan Street, the main street. In this very beautiful building, you will find many local souvenirs such as Aboriginal art as well as gold in different forms. This is where you can book quite original guided tours! “Questa Casa” aka the “Pink House” is one of Australia’s last historic goldrush brothels, which has at times offered guided tours — check locally whether tours are currently running.

Afterwards, take the time to soak up the city’s unique atmosphere by walking up the endless Hannan Street. This street is lined with historic hotels, some dating back over 120 years, which is quite rare in Australia. The bewildering number of hotels comes from the fact that Kalgoorlie played host to the Great Australian Gold Rush in 1893. Attracted by the nuggets and veins of gold, thousands of Australians rushed to the region with women and children in the hope of making their fortune. Many died of thirst before pipes had time to bring water from the coast. Interesting fact: at the time, beer was actually cheaper than water!

Visitor Stats & Highlights

• Population: ~30,000—a vibrant mining and tourism hub in WA’s Goldfields region.
• The town is famed for the Super Pit, one of Australia’s largest open-cut gold mines. The 1.5-hour guided Super Pit tours include the lookout platform, mine interiors, SAG mill, and dump-truck operations.
  Tours run several times weekly for ages 4+; price varies.
• More than 63 million ounces of gold have been extracted since the 1890s, with considerable impact still ongoing.

Top Attractions in Kalgoorlie

Located within the Boulder Town Hall, the Goldfields War Museum honors the contributions of local men and women who served in various conflicts. The museum houses an impressive collection of military memorabilia, personal stories, and historical records.

The museum is open daily (10am to 3 pm) and admission is free (donations welcome). Here you can admire the largest collection of gold bars and nuggets in the state. Old tools and everyday objects from the time are also on display, and photos bear witness to what life was like at that time.

The Western Australian Museum in Kalgoorlie provides an in-depth look at the region’s gold rush history. Exhibits include mining equipment, gold nuggets, and artifacts from the early days of the goldfields. The museum also features displays on the town’s social history and the impact of mining on the local community.

Explore the history of the railway in the goldfields at the Loopline Railway and Museum. The museum showcases the importance of rail transport in the development of the region and offers heritage train rides on restored carriages.

For panoramic views of Kalgoorlie and the surrounding area, head to the Mount Charlotte Reservoir and Lookout. This site is historically significant as it marks the end of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, a vital project that brought water to the arid goldfields from Perth.

If you are interested in history, you can learn more about the relationship between settlers and aborigines through testimonies. Be aware that this is a sensitive subject in the town of Kalgoorlie. Indeed, the Aboriginal population is large there and has had to learn to live with other inhabitants. You will understand that relations between the two communities are still delicate today.

The Super Pit Gold Mine

The Super Pit (officially the Fimiston Open Pit) is one of the largest open-cut gold mines in the world — roughly 3.5 km long, 1.5 km wide and over 600 m deep. Until 1989 the Golden Mile was worked as a patchwork of separate underground mines; they were then consolidated into a single open pit.

You can spend some time watching these impressive trucks carrying tons of rocks. If you want to observe them more closely, you can visit Hannans North Tourist Mine (open every day except Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm). Admission will cost you $15. You can climb inside the trucks and have your picture taken. Several different experiences are available, including exploring an old miners’ camp and old trucks during a visit to an underground refuge chamber. The highlight: trying out the job of a gold miner and searching the ground with your sieve!

Working in Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie isn’t just a place to visit, it’s one of Australia’s biggest mining hubs, and a common stop for backpackers looking for well-paid work. The town and its mines offer jobs in mining support, hospitality, cleaning and trades, often at higher wages than the cities because of the remote location.

If you’re on a Working Holiday visa, this matters for another reason: Kalgoorlie sits in a designated regional area, and mining work here can count towards the 88 days you need for a second-year visa. Check the current eligible areas and eligible jobs before you commit, and keep every payslip.

💡 Good to know: most mine and construction sites require a White Card (general construction induction) before you can set foot on site — it’s quick and cheap to get online, and worth having ready before you arrive. See our guide to the best outback jobs for what to expect.

Where to Stay in Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie has a wide range of accommodation for a town its size, historic hotels, motels, self-contained apartments, backpacker lodges and caravan parks, most of them within walking distance of Hannan Street and the train and bus station.

For the full Kalgoorlie experience, book a room in one of its grand goldrush hotels. The Palace Hotel, built in 1897 on the corner of Hannan Street, is a local landmark, Western-style architecture, a sweeping balcony bar, and the famous Herbert Hoover mirror in the foyer. Rooms range from simple budget doubles (from around $120) up to heritage rooms with a private balcony, so there’s something for most budgets while still soaking up the atmosphere.

On a backpacker budget, Kalgoorlie has several budget hotels and backpacker lodges, and many of the town’s older pubs rent basic rooms upstairs at low rates. Compare what’s available for your dates on Booking.com.

Travelling by campervan? The BIG4 Acclaim Prospector Holiday Park has powered sites and cabins, with the facilities you’ll want after the long drive from Perth. If you still need a vehicle for the trip, compare campervan hire on Motorhome Republic.

⚠️ A word on safety: we don’t recommend the free camp on the edge of town, which has a reputation for theft and antisocial behaviour. Wherever you stay, park in a secure, well-lit car park overnight, Kalgoorlie is a lively mining town, and it pays to be careful with your vehicle and belongings.

Practical information