ACCOMMODATION COOLGARDIE WA

The Goldfields Exhibition Museum is housed in the grand historic two storey former Wardens Court Building, which was erected in 1898. Wander through each of the rooms to view a range of fascinating displays including Aboriginal artefacts, photographs, models and authentic prospecting equipment. See one of the largest antique bottle collections in Western Australia. Bottles and glassware on display date from 300BC to the present day. The Goldfields Exhibition Museum will give you a greater understanding and appreciation of the lives of the Goldrush pioneers of the 1890s. The exhibits are testament to the discovery, growth, boom and decline of Coolgardie and the surrounding goldfields. Take time out to enjoy the free daily screenings of the BBC film ?Gold Fever?, which complements the exhibition. Coolgardie is a six hour drive east of Perth, approximately 40 kilometres west of Kalgoorlie....

The Pharmacy Museum in Coolgardie houses an extensive pharmaceutical collection in the Old Coolgardie Drill Hall. Regarded as one of the best pharmaceutical displays in Australia, you will get a detailed insight into the medicinal treatments dispensed in the early twentieth century. Displays include early medicines, dental tools and a range of fascinating old advertisements and posters on display. Coolgardie?s well preserved history provides an interesting and informative means of connecting with this gold mining town?s early settlers. Meander around the town to learn how Coolgardie started the greatest gold rush in Australia?s history. Coolgardie is located six hours drive east of Perth....

The Golden Quest Discovery Drive Trail runs 965 kilometres through Western Australia's Goldfields from Coolgardie through to Laverton. This moderate Top Trail is a true adventure drive which commences approximately seven hours drive east of Perth and travels to 25 interpreted sites highlighting the 1890s gold rush region, classic pubs, outback ghost towns and changing natural landscapes including nature reserves and campsites. Be surprised by Niagara Dam, a man made lake built for water supply and now a pleasant spot for a picnic or overnight camp. Tour the old prosperous town of Kookynie, which has a pub well worth the stop as well as old camps in the town of Gwalia, near Leonora, where the 31st United States President, Herbert Hoover, lived and worked. Gwalia, now a ghost town, has a fascinating museum and historical house. Visit Lake Ballard, a vast salt lake where 51 sculptured metal 'people' stand scattered over the landscape. Be amazed by the Explorers Hall of Fame in Laverton which retraces the journeys of the early pioneers such as Lord John Forrest, Tommy Windich and Leichhardt. A definite advantage if considering the self-drive adventure is the comprehensive Golden Quest Discovery Trail Guidebook and two audio CD's....

An extensive collection of railway memorabilia can be found at the Old Coolgardie Railway Station Museum including an old steam locomotive and the carriages that brought mining hopefuls to the goldfields. Discover the significance of the arrival of this railway to the region in the late 1800s. Stroll through the station imagining the difficult yet optimistic life of the town?s residents, and learn how the gold was transported out of the region to sell to the world. Housing an extensive collection of railway relics, the museum will appeal to all train enthusiasts and history buffs. Whilst in the gold mining town of Coolgardie explore the plethora of historical sites on foot. The town captures the essence of the gold rush days for visitors by displaying detailed signs about all significant sites and locations of important events and discoveries throughout the town. Coolgardie is a six hour drive northeast of Perth and just 20 minutes from Kalgoorlie. A visit to the Super Pit in Kalgoorlie is also highly recommended....

Bayleys Reward Fly Flat is the site where gold was first discovered in Coolgardie in the late 1800s by Arthur Bayley and William Ford. Look out over the vast countryside and imagine the harsh climate and environment that welcomed numerous hopefuls who flocked to Coolgardie in their search for fortune. This discovery sparked the greatest gold rush in Australia?s history. A five minute drive from Fly Flat will lead you into the historic mining town of Coolgardie. Stroll through the town viewing the historic buildings and gain appreciation of the life of the early settlers thanks to over 100 markers located in and around the town. Each marker indicates where significant events took place and historical sites where some buildings still stand. If you wish to learn more about the town?s significance in Australia?s history, include a visit to the Warden?s Court building which houses the town?s museum and the Ben Prior Open Air Museum. Coolgardie is a six hour drive east of Perth....

In the past, Credo Homestead was run as a pastoral lease but due to dry conditions the property was destocked. Covering about 202,161 hectares, it surrounds the Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park and the Clear and Muddy Lakes Nature Reserve. Together, these two reserves include most, but not all, of the open waters or dry lake-beds and peripheral vegetation of the Rowles Lagoon system of wetlands. There are several rooms available in the old shearers quarters and bush camping is also available with permission from the caretakers. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecue fire rings, toilets and showers. Camping fees apply and bookings can be made through the Department`s Kalgoorlie office or through the caretakers on-site. For more information, please visit the Department of Parks and Wildlife's ParkStay website. ...

Reflect on the lives and hardships encountered during the gold rush years with a visit to the Coolgardie Cemetery. Commissioned in 1894, it has over 3,000 graves. Over a quarter of these contain a child under the age of five. Typhoid took hold of the town at the start of the Gold Rush, and as a result a large number of the graves remain unmarked. The identities of many of the victims were not recorded with the rush of prospectors migrating to the eastern goldfields. Much of Coolgardie's fascinating history is reflected in the old weathered headstones. Visit the grave site of Coolgardie?s legendary ghost, Elizabeth Gold, who is buried not far from the resting place of her murderer. The graves of several Afghan camel drivers are located at the rear of the cemetery, and are also worth visiting. Coolgardie Cemetery is located 750 metres out of town along the Perth Road. Coolgardie is located just over six hours drive east of Perth, approximately 40 kilometres west of Kalgoorlie....