Coolgardie pipeline

Coolgardie WA 6429 (Pop 1 400)

Coolgardie is a fascinating former gold mining town in WA’s Golden Outback 555 km east of Perth. The town has been beautifully preserved and boasts some magnificent 19^th century buildings. The discovery of gold (1892) was followed by the usual goldfields hysteria which saw the town develop into the state’s 3^rd largest (1898).  The town’s boom was relatively short-lived but an interesting innovation, known as the Coolgardie safe came about as a means of keeping food cool by using water and wind prior to electricity. Coolgardie Day (Sept), Metal Detecting Championships (Sept/Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Historic Coolgardie (23 sites with markers) including Warden Finnerty’s House (1895), Railway Station (1896), Marble Bar Hotel (1897). Old Coolgardie Railway Station Museum, Woodward St housed in the old railway station (1896) excellent railway history displays and memorabilia together with details of a famous mine rescue (1907). Ben Prior's Open Air Museum, cnr Hunt & Bayley Sts quirky pioneering collection. Gaol Tree, Hunt St used as early prisoner lock-up. Warden Finnerty's House, McKenzie St (1895) National Trust listed, restored and period furnished home. Open (11am-4pm) Thurs-Tues. Lindsay’s Pit Lookout, Ford St open-cut goldmine.

Nearby:
Coolgardie Cemetery (1 km west) historic graveyard of harsh early pioneering days including the grave of eminent early explorer, Ernest Giles. State Battery (1902) tours show gold being extracted and poured into bullion bars. Contact visitors centre. Gnarlbine Rock/Hunts Well (30 km s-w) early prospectors watering hole. Kunanaling Hotel (32 km north) only hotel ruins remain of this once busy town. Victoria Rock (55 km s-w) panoramic summit views. Rowles Lagoon Nature Reserve (65 km north) scenic freshwater wetlands popular for watersports, bushwalking & camping. Wallaroo Rocks (90 km west) comprises 3 dams with excellent bushwalking and views. Cave Hill Nature Reserve (90 km south) 4WD access to rugged granite outcrops, waterholes and a large cave formation. Variety of wildlife, scenic bushwalks and caves. 4WD access only.

Accommodation:
Coolgardie has 3 motels, a couple of hotels, a B&B and two caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Goldfields Exhibition Bldg, Bayley St. Tel (08) 9026 6090.

Airport:
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport (KGI) Tel (08) 9093 3436. (38 km n-e).

Hospital:
Coolgardie Health Care, Wilkie St. Tel (08) 9025 0200.