Kalgoorlie is an oasis in the outback desert of Western
Australia. Located less than a days drive from Perth,
it is prettiest in spring, with amazing displays of
wildflowers the perfect backdrop as you zip past the
colourful landscapes in your campervan. You will need to
set aside enough time to explore and enjoy the beauty of
this region.
Also known as the golden outback, there are a number of
old mine shafts still open to tourists here, with gold
panning always a popular activity. There are also a number
of ghost mining towns within driving distance giving
travellers a new respect for the old miners of the past.
There is plenty to do within Kalgoorlie, which has is now
often referred to as Kalgoorlie-Boulder, with the two cities
merging together. The Kalgoorlie Goldfields Visitor Centre
has information on all the best places to see in the area,
some being The Museum of the Goldfields featuring exhibits,
prized gold nuggets and relics from the past. For some
family fun, the Kurrawang Emu Farm is worth a visit as is
the Miners Hall of Fame promising a memorable step back in
time.
Travelling by campervan to visit Kalgoorlie is a fantastic
idea for so many reasons. You can set up camp at a number
of welcoming sites such as Big 4 Prospector Caravan Park, or
at Boulder Accommodation Village, set close to the
goldfields. Both are fantastic bases to explore the
surrounding attractions.
Outside the city is the Darling Range, where the woodlands
beckon you on to take a closer look at the pretty
wildflowers that transform the normally desolate landscape
into a blanket of colour. The emblem of the state is the
Kangaroo Paw, its colours dominating this area, and wattles,
daisies and everlastings some of the variety of flowers seen
for at least five months of the year. There are enjoyable
bushwalks, and you will more than likely spot a kangaroo or
small marsupial in between the trees.
Why not stay on a farm or cattle station for a few days?
The region surrounding Kalgoorlie is as outback as it gets,
with plenty of friendly locals who are waiting to boast
about the history of the area, and enjoy a meal together.
Children will love the animals and a chance to sleep under
the long stretch of stars rarely visible in the city.
Not only are there pretty wildflowers at every turn, but
vast salt lakes and large granite rock formations adding to
the intrigue of the land. You can take a day trip down to
beautiful Esperance on the coast along the Goldfields
Highway, and drive along to coast to experience the
wilderness of the Great Australian Bight.
Esperance is a popular tourist spot, with white beaches,
endless rugged coastline and humpback whales often spotted
during their long migration. The Esperance Seafront Caravan
Park is fifty metres from the beach, and worth a stay. It
is an ideal base to visit the Nullabor plane, located to the
east. Its wild, vast landscapes seem to encapsulate
everything you could imagine in heart of Australian outback.
Kalgoorlie is remote and steeped in history, known for its
cattle driving, gold mines and wild terrain. Your visit
here will bring you face to face with the Australian outback
at its best, and a wealth of colour almost indescribable
during wildflower season. You will need to come prepared
to venture out further into the remoteness of the outback,
as you explore a part of the world that may be out of the
way but certainly a destination in itself.
Jenny Brewer 2007
