FAMILY FUN ATTRACTIONS SOUTHERN CROSS

The derelict mining town of Mount Palmer near Southern Cross offers an intriguing look at the life of a prospector in the early 1900s. Take a stroll through the ruins of the town and imagine it in its heyday, when hopefuls came to make their fortune. Established in 1934 with the discovery of gold by the town's namesake Augustus Palmer, the town prospered for just nine years but closed its doors due to the labour shortage brought about by World War II. Visit the ruins of Mount Palmer's hotel. Renowned as being the most pretentious two storey hotel in the Goldfields, all that remains is its main arch. The bricks were taken to Kalgoorlie and now form part of the Bankwest Building in Hannan Street. Informative signs through Mount Palmer will enlighten you with the town's gold mining history and display photographs of various buildings that used to stand. Mount Palmer is 20 minutes from the historical mining town of Southern Cross and a four hour drive east of Perth. Take a drive to see the open cut mine where gold is still mined today and visit the remains of Fraser's Mine where gold was discovered over 120 years ago.

Visit the Yilgarn History Museum in Southern Cross and view the extensive collection of artefacts, records and memorabilia from both the agricultural and mining industries. Absorb the rich history of the region and admire the museums beautiful heritage building, which was the former courthouse, built in 1892. You will see displays on minerals, prospecting and mining. Special features include a working model of a gold battery, a camel wagon, and the local burial register. Also on display are fascinating collections of bottles, minerals, machinery, photographs, documents and domestic memorabilia. The building was the first permanent Courthouse in the Eastern Goldfields. Appreciate the building techniques and architecture of the old courthouse along with the other surrounding government buildings, including the Mining Registrar Offices and the Post Office. The foundations are of local stone cemented together with mud. The walls are of locally made mud bricks. Southern Cross is a five hour drive east of Perth on the road out to Kalgoorlie.

If you are looking to strike it rich prospecting for gold or you are interested in learning the history of one of the Eastern Goldfields first mining leases, head out to Golden Valley which is a half an hour drive north of Southern Cross. Formerly known as the settlement of Knutsford, it is well worth the journey to see the old mine shafts, a stone cottage and a plaque to commemorate Western Australia's early pioneers. Golden Valley was the first official centre of the Shire of Yilgarn; interestingly it was named after the 'Golden Scrub Wattle' which covers the slopes of the valley, not the early finds of gold dating back to 1887. Southern Cross is a four and a half hour drive east of Perth, and is a town of great historical significance. Try your hand at prospecting, or just take in the outback scenery and gain a greater appreciation of Western Australia's gold rush heritage.

A visit to the Old Southern Cross Cemetery provides an opportunity to learn all about the pioneers of this mining town which was founded in the 1890s. Walk around the cemetery and see the old tombstones that have been beautifully restored. After reading a few of the inscriptions you will become aware of just how many of the young miners were impacted on by the rapid spread of typhoid. You will get a feel for the harsh environment that took so many lives at such a young age. Find out more about the lives of the miners with a fascinating walk through the town's museum at the Registrar's Office and Court House. The historic town of Southern Cross is four hours east of Perth and marks the start of the Eastern Goldfields. It played a significant role in the state's gold mining history with the first major discovery of gold found in the area.