Coolgardie
Town
Population 801
This town was the first settlement in the eastern goldfields. After alluvial gold was found in 1892, Coolgardie grew in ten years to a town of 15 000 people, 23 hotels, six banks and two stock exchanges. The main street, lined with some magnificent buildings, was made wide enough for camel trains to turn around in. As in many outback towns, the heat and the isolation led to innovation, in this case that of the Coolgardie safe, which used water and a breeze to keep food cool before the days of electricity.
Visitor Information
Goldfields Exhibition Building, Bayley St; (08) 9026 6090
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In Town
Historic buildings There are 23 buildings in the town centre that have been listed on the National Estate register, many of them on the main street, Bayley St. Over 100 markers are positioned at buildings and historic sites across the town, using stories and photographs to recapture the gold-rush days. The index to markers is in Bayley St next to the visitor centre.
Goldfields Exhibition MuseumLocal photographs and displays inside the old Warden's Court including a display on the famous Varischetti mine rescue. In 1907 Modesto Varischetti was trapped underground in a flooded mine for 9 days. Varischetti survived in an air pocket until divers eventually found him. The dramatic rescue captured world attention. Bayley St.
Ben Prior's Open-Air Museum: unusual collection of machinery and memorabilia; cnr Bayley and Hunt sts. Warden Finnerty's House: striking 1895 example of early Australian architecture and furnishings; open 11am–4pm daily except Wed; McKenzie St. C. Y. O'Connor Dedication: fountain and water course in memory of O'Connor, who masterminded the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme; McKenzie St. Gaol tree: used for prisoners in early gold-rush days, before a gaol was built; Hunt St. Lindsay's Pit Lookout: over open-cut goldmine; Ford St.
Nearby
Coolgardie Cemetery The town cemetery gives you an inkling of the harshness of the early gold-rush years. The register of burials records that of the first 32 burials, the names of 15 were unknown, and many entries for 'male child' and 'female child' note 'fever' as the cause of death. One of the most significant graves is that of Ernest Giles, an Englishman whose name is associated with the exploration of inland Australia. 1 km W.Coolgardie Camel Farm: offers rides on the 'ships of the desert'; (08) 9026 6159; 4 km W. Gnarlbine Rock: originally an Aboriginal well, then one of the few water sources for the early prospectors; 30 km SW. Kunanalling Hotel: once a town of over 800 people, the ruins of the hotel are all that remain; 32 km N. Victoria Rock: camping, and spectacular views from the summit; 55 km SW. Burra Rock: popular camping and picnic area (55 km S). Cave Hill, a similar destination, lies a further 40 km S (4WD only). Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park: picnicking and camping spots available although recently there has been no water; 65 km N. Wallaroo Rocks: 3 dams with scenic views and good bushwalking; 90 km W. Golden Quest Discovery Trail: Coolgardie forms part of this 965 km self-guide drive trail of the goldfields; book, map and CD available at visitor centre.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Bushwalking in Karlkurla Bushland Park 37 km
On the outskirts of Kalgoorlie, in Riverina Way, is the Karlkurla Bushland Park, with 4 kilometres of walking tracks, masses of wildflowers, and native bananas. It is a great example of natural regrowth, demonstrating... Find out moreCampsites around town
Victoria Rock camping area 44 km
Victoria Rock camping area is on Victoria Rock Rd, 46 km south of Coolgardie via Gnarlbine Rock Rd, at the western end of town. Nestled beside the rock visitors will find selected sites with basic facilities (bring... Find out moreBurra Rock camping area 49 km
Burra Rock camping area is along Burra Rock Rd, 58 km south of Coolgardie via Hunt Rd. It provides campers with basic facilities (bring firewood and water) in a natural bush environment.... Find out moreCredo Homestead 63 km
Credo Homestead camping area is located 70km north of Coolgardie on Coolgardie North Road (opposite Rowels Lagoon). Visitors who set up camp near the old homestead will be able to make use of the facilities there as... Find out moreRowles Lagoon camping area 69 km
Rowles Lagoon camping area is 6 km north-east of Coolgardie North Rd, 68 km north of Coolgardie. It has shady sites and a good range of facilities on the edge of the lagoon for campers who enjoy aquatic activities by day... Find out moreCave Hill camping area 79 km
Cave Hill camping area is 50 km south-west of Widgimooltha and 39 km south of Burra Rock via 4WD tracks. There are 2 camping areas on the western side of the granite outcrop, and another on the eastern side. Make the... Find out moreBoondi Rock camping area 80 km
Boondi Rock camping area is on the Great Eastern Hwy, approximately 80 km west of Coolgardie. It provides campers with a few basic facilities (bring firewood and drinking water) near a granite rock outcrop in the bush... Find out moreJaurdi Station Homestead 97 km
Jaurdi Station camping area is 149 km north-east of Southern Cross via the Great Eastern Hwy, Mt Walton (Heath) and Ryans roads. Visitors have the use of a good range of facilities at the old homestead of a pastoral... Find out moreGoongarrie Homestead 108 km
Goongarrie Homestead camping area is 14 km west of the Menzies–Kalgoorlie Rd, 90 km north of Kalgoorlie. Use the homestead’s facilities while exploring this old pastoral property.... Find out moreKaralee Rock and Dam picnic and camping area 131 km
Karalee Rock and Dam camping area is 4 km north of the Great Eastern Hwy, 52 km east of Southern Cross. The large shady site is set among trees near the 1897, where an informative trail leads beside the old aqueduct.... Find out moreNiagara Dam camping area 175 km
Niagara Dam camping area is 60 km north-east of Menzies via the Goldfields Hwy and Kookynie Rd. An oasis in the outback, it embraces a large shady area among the trees on the edge of the dam. Visitors can explore the... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Goldminer Tourist Caravan Park 33 km
This park is conveniently located on the Coolgardie Road, about 4 km west of the city centre. It has good facilities and a range of accommodation.... Find out moreProspector Holiday Park 35 km
Easily accessible from the Great Eastern Highway this is a spacious park with good amenities for touring caravanners. It is a good base from which to explore the historic region. There is little grass in Kalgoorlie and... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Kalgoorlie 35 km
Located off the main road, close to the airport and about 2 km from the centre of Boulder, this is a good base from which to explore the surrounding goldmining districts. Bookings are required in the winter months.... Find out moreGateway Caravan Park 149 km
A conveniently situated park at the western end of the Nullarbor Plain, this place is close to the highway junction and about 1 km from the centre of town. The park has good amenities and most basic facilities. It is a... Find out moreSouthern Cross Caravan Park and Motor Lodge 177 km
Alongside the Eastern Highway at the eastern end of town, this is a neat park with good quality facilities to meet the traveller’s needs. Spacious level sites are easily accessed and there is room for big rigs.... Find out moreFraser Range Station Caravan Park 195 km
This is a great find. Approximately 89 km north-west of Balladonia Roadhouse and some 100 km east of Norseman, the station caravan park is 2 km off the highway on a well-signposted good dirt road. The park has a number... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Rest areas around town
Yerdani Well Rest Area 55 km
129 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 56 km W of Coolgardie (R) Large secluded area well off the highway in the scrub. Good shade. GPS: S31 08.383 E120 37.679... Find out moreWattle Dam Rest Area 56 km
60 km S of Coolgardie (R) or 106 km N of Norseman (L) Large area just off the highway in the scrub behind the truck bay. Good shade. GPS: S31 21.140 E121 31.258 ... Find out moreBoondi Rest Area 75 km
108 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 77 km W of Coolgardie (R) Large area just off the highway in the scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S31 11.348 E120 25.753... Find out moreBoondi Rock Camp Area 79 km
T/O 105 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 80 km W of Coolgardie (R) Secluded camp area located 3 kilometres north of the highway in the scrub in Boorabin National Park. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road... Find out moreRedross Rest Area 95 km
101 km S of Coolgardie (R) or 65 km N of Norseman (L) Small area just off the highway in the scrub behind the truck bay. Good shade. GPS: S31 41.527 E121 40.461... Find out moreBoorabbin Rest Area 115 km
68 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 117 km W of Coolgardie (R) Large area well off the highway in the scrub in Boorabbin National Park. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S31 16.082 E120 01.044... Find out moreMount Thirsty Rest Area 130 km
143 km S of Coolgardie (L) or 23 km N of Norseman (R) Large area just off the highway in the scrub. Good shade. GPS: S32 02.483 E121 40.726 ... Find out moreKaralee Rock Camp Area 131 km
T/O 51 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 134 km W of Coolgardie (R) Large secluded camp area located 5 kilometres north of the highway at the dam. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S31 15.03... Find out moreLake Cowan Rest Area 137 km
151 km S of Coolgardie (R) or 15 km N of Norseman (L) Large area well off the highway in the bush. Limited shade. GPS: S32 06.065 E121 41.686... Find out moreNorseman Park Area 150 km
Middle of town Parking area at the information centre. Good facilities. GPS: S32 11.777 E121 46.834 ... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Coolgardie Day: Sept.
Metal Detecting Championships: odd-numbered years, Sept/Oct.
