Right in the heart in the desert outback of Western Australia, you will come across the pleasant oasis of Kalgoorlie. Located less than a days drive from Perth, Kalgoorlie is at its prettiest in spring, and features amazing displays of wildflowers. These amazing scenes act as the perfect backdrop as you zip past the colourful landscapes.. Kalgoorlie may be a small city, but you will need to set aside at least a few days to make sure you explore this region in full and soak up its full beauty.
Highly regarded as the golden outback, there are a number of old mine shafts still open to tourists here, with gold panning always a popular activity that the whole family can enjoy. There are also a number of ghost mining towns within driving distance. These historic towns give travellers a new respect for the old miners of the past.
There is plenty to do within and around Kalgoorlie, which 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. One of the most popular attractions in the area would have to be The Museum of the Goldfields featuring exhibits, prized gold nuggets and relics from the past. For some family fun, be sure to pay a visit to the Kurrawang Emu Farm and the Miners Hall of Fame, which promises a memorable step back in time.
Just outside the city you will come across 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. There are plenty of enjoyable bushwalks, and you will more than likely spot a kangaroo or small marsupial in amongst the trees.
There is also the option of staying 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 fascinating history of the area, and enjoy a meal together. Children will fall in love with the animals and a chance to sleep under the long stretch of stars that are rarely visible in the city.
Not only are there gorgeous wildflowers at every turn, but vast, clear salt lakes and large granite rock formations adding to the intrigue of the land. You can take a day trip down to stunning Esperance on the coast along the Goldfields Highway, and drive along to coast to experience the wilderness and wonder of the Great Australian Bight.
Esperance is a popular tourist spot, with spotless 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 is an ideal place to stay to explore the coast at its best. It is an ideal base to visit the Nullabor plane, located to theeast. Its wild, vast landscapes seem to encapsulate everything majestic about the heart of Australian outback.
Kalgoorlie is remote and deeply steeped in history. It is most famously 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. Be sure to come prepared to venture out further into the remoteness of the outback, because it will beckon you to keep coming back.
