GOLDEN OUTBACK
An hour's flight east from Perth, Kalgoorlie Boulder is the hub of the goldfields and one of Western Australia's largest cities. Still active as a mining town, Kalgoorlie-Boulder's wide streets and grand old buildings are full of people living the prospecting dream.
Kalgoorlie Boulder is a place like no other. From wild and heady origins as a frontier town where fortunes were sought, to the prosperous, bustling 'Kal' of today, Kalgoorlie's rich heritage permeates the town and gives it a distinctive character. Turn of the century architecture, including the magnificent Boulder Town Hall, the red outback just beyond the settlement's streets and nearby ghost towns make this area fascinating to visitors.
Kalgoorlie Boulder is one of the most important mining areas in the world. After Paddy Hannan found gold in the area in 1893, the town's population soared to 30,000. Today the population is again up to 30,000, after the discovery of nickel deposits in the north of the goldfields.
The towns Kalgoorlie and Boulder amalgamated in 1989. Until then they were separate towns side by side. Boulder's main street, Burt Street, is five kilometres from Kalgoorlie's centre, Hannan Street. Boulder was named after The Great Boulder Mine, the first mine on the Golden Mile.
In September, renowned horse race the Boulder and Kalgoorlie Cup takes place at the 100 year old Racing Round. Crowds from all over the State come to enjoy the town's festive atmosphere. The largest indoor pool in Western Australia, great for a cooling dip to escape the outback heat, is on Johnston Street. The town has a number of pubs and nightclubs, and live music is popular around town. Visiting artists perform regularly at the Arts Centre.
Esperance is located on the south coast of Western Australia, about a nine hour drive from Perth. With a temperate climate all year round, Esperance is an ideal location for lovers of sun and spectacular beaches. Esperance is a picturesque town nestled on the shores of Esperance Bay. Visitors to Esperance are charmed by its friendly people, delightful lifestyle and ideal climate.
A necklace of several hundred islands make up the Recherche Archipelago which adorns the coast of this beautiful region. Consequently, Esperance is known as The Bay Of Isles. Woody Island, one of the islands in the Archipelago has been developed for tent and safari hut camping from September to April.
The Esperance region contains national parks, including the very popular and spectacular Cape Le Grand National Park with its unbelievably beautiful beaches, islands, granite headlands, rugged coastal scenery and challenging coastal walks. There are many activities for visitors including four wheel drive safaris, beach safaris, coach tours, aerial sightseeing, island cruises, fishing and diving charters.
