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?
Following extensive renovation and expansion, the Western Australian Museum reopened on Saturday 21 November to week-long celebrations and a new name: WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Visitors can discover the value of gold across various exhibits that include details on life during the 19th century gold rushes, links between the gold industry and our wider communities, mining processes, and how gold influenced social change.
In 1896, if you opened the door of Boulder Block Hotel and stepped inside, would you expect to find gold?
Yes, there is a story to be told about the secret goings-on at the Boulder Block Hotel. The underground miners of The Golden Mile were “on the gold”, and some of them were said to be selling the gold on the sly at the infamous pub before the whistle blew for the end of shift.