The Goldfields of Western Australia are unique and diverse, with an incredible history that spans thousands of years.
Patrick "Paddy" Hannan was a gold prospector whose lucrative discovery on 14 June 1893 set off a major gold rush
The towns of Kalgoorlie, Boulder, and Coolgardie were at the centre of the gold rush back in the 1800s and the Eastern Goldfields is still rich with both mining operations and gold tourism experiences.
You’ve probably heard of Kalgoorlie Boulder, the largest city in the outback, with a population of more than 40,000 people. It’s famous for its gold rush history, heritage buildings, and stunning sunsets. But did you know that at one point the streets of Kalgoorlie were actually paved with gold?
Paddy Hannan’s Tree - where gold was first discovered in Kalgoorlie
Streets paved with gold
Back in the early gold rush days of 1893, prospectors found rocks with so much visible gold, they assumed it was pyrite, otherwise known as Fool’s Gold. These rocks were later used for construction when people began building town roads through Kalgoorlie.
It was only a few years later in 1896 that people realised those rocks were in fact, tellurides - a compound of gold and tellurium. Once this discovery was made, people reportedly started tearing up the paving of the town to get the gold beneath their feet!
How the Gold Rush Began
The area around Kalgoorlie remains popular for prospecting today
In 1893, prospector Paddy Hannan found gold near Mount Charlotte in Kalgoorlie. The story goes that Hannan found gold in a gully and not wanting to cause pandemonium, kept his find a secret at first. He told his two partners about the find the next morning and then travelled to register it in Coolgardie. Once word go out, there was a stampede of prospectors looking to also strike it rich. It’s estimated that within three days about 400 men arrived in the area, and by the end of the week, it was up to 1,000. The resulting area has been mined ever since and is renowned as The Golden Mile, the richest square mile in the world.
Mining in Kalgoorlie today
Northern Star Resources’ famous Super Pit
The Super Pit sits proudly where the Golden Mile used to be and is now one of Australia’s largest open pit gold mines. In 2019, KCGM celebrated its 30th anniversary and poured its 50,000th bar of gold, bringing the total produced from the Golden Mile to over 60 million ounces in the 120 years since the lease was first pegged.
You can experience the Super Pit for yourself, either by taking a tour into the pit to get a close-up look at the incredible machinery and 24-hour operations, or by stopping by the Super Pit Lookout to gaze down at the Tonka sized trucks below. This is a unique opportunity to view a working mine site in action and if you time it right, to watch a blast in the pit!
Gold attractions in Kalgoorlie Boulder and the Goldfields
If you’re heading to the Goldfields, there are heaps of attractions and things to do so you can explore the gold rush history and incredible stories from this beautiful region. Here are some of our favourites.
Heart of Gold Discovery Trail – download the free Heart of Gold Australia App and embark on a self-guided journey of discovery on the streets of Kalgoorlie. There are intriguing, augmented reality games, remarkable audio and video stories, fun widgets, and timeless photos to enjoy.
The Super Pit – take a tour with Kalgoorlie Tours and Charters or visit the Lookout for an incredible view over one of the largest open cut mines in Australia.
Hannans North Tourist Mine – pan for gold, climb aboard a giant 793C haul truck, stand in the shovel of a 994F loader and watch a gold pour demonstration!
Gwalia Museum – wander through this “living ghost town” and explore the miner’s cottages, camps and shops. Visit the mine precinct and see Hoover House (once occupied by the US president!) and see the huge outdoor headframe.
WA Museum of the Goldfields – explore the huge collection of gold bars and nuggets, learn about the gold rush era and the incredible hardship faced by mining families in the early 1900s.
Natural Gold Nuggets and Jewellery – pop by this amazing shop front where you can not only buy a nugget or piece of jewellery made with local gold, but you can also sell your finds if you’ve found your own gold!