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Goldfields Loop

Difficulty: Trek rating 2 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 2 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD 2WD Caravan Camper Motorhome Bike 
Go back to the turbulent days when new towns sprouted soon after a gold find only to turn to ruins after the gold dried up. The trek paints the picture of the gold rush days in WA, the jubilance and hardships faced and the towns that survived.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesCoolgardie
FinishKalgoorlie-Boulder
Distance608.5 kmMinimum Days2
Average Speed68.8 km/hrDriving Time8 hours 50 mins
Article By: ExplorOz Team   Updated: 20 Mar 2008
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 Description

The goldfields loop heading north from Coolgardie and finishing at Kalgoorlie is probably one of the most interesting routes in this region. Travelling over excellent formed gravel roads, you pass through a region that is filled with history, European and Aboriginal culture and the stunning, yet unbelievably dry and harsh environment that is the Eastern goldfields of outback WA.

The discovery of gold in Coolgardie in 1892 by Arthur Bayley and William Ford, started the gold rush and this was encouraged by further discoveries in Kalgoorlie (East Coolgardie at that time) by Patrick "Paddy" Hannan, Tom Flanagan and Dan Shea in 1893. While some found gold, many only found hardship, sickness and death caused by inadequate housing, lack of fresh water and food, insufficient medical attention and supplies. Stories of hardship occurred at Menzies with a deadly typhoid outbreak and also during the ill-fated Siberia rush where many prospectors suffered from dehydration due to an extreme lack of water in the area. Towns like Kunanalling were bustling at one stage only to turn to ghost towns when the gold dried up. This route has many of these old towns now in ruins with cemeteries and mining relics near its midst. They each have a fascinating story to tell and are worth exploring around. Some of the other sites well worth visiting and exploring are: Lake Ballard with the surreal sculptures by Antony Gormley, Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park, Ularring Rock and definitely Niagara Dam Nature Reserve.

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Goldfields Loop Help

From: Coolgardie
To: Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Distance: 608.5 km
Direction: 52 °
Average Speed: 68.8 km/hr
Travel Time: 8 hours 50 mins

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 Permits

No permits are needed for the Goldfields Loop trek note.

 Things to See & Do

Morapoi - WA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Water Supply Toilet Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Point of Interest
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Niagara Dam Nature Reserve - WA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Camp Free Water Supply Toilet National Parks,Reserves Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Niagra Dam is located 60km north east of Menzies, via Kookynie Road for 13km. (dirt track) not far from Kookynie in the WA Goldfields. The dam was originally used for steam engines, now is just collecting water! Good camping at the base of the dam and the surrounding area. You will need to take wood in if you are planning on having a fire.
Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park - WA   RatingRatingRating
National Parks,Reserves Toilet Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Point of Interest
Located 70km north of Coolgardie, via Coolgardie North Road through Kunanalling and Kintore, Rowles Lagoon is a a semi-permanent fresh water lake and although over 40 species of water birds can be found here, the lagoon is a gazetted water ski area and camping is allowed.
Lake Ballard - WA   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Point of Interest
Salt Lake 51km from Menzies. Significant for its 51 sculptures by Antony Gormley , who scanned the locals and mapped there bodies in 3D, then reduced them to 2/3rds there normal size. The finished product is a sculpture refered to as the insider. The cast is an alloy made from molybdenum, vanadium and titanium , materials that are found in the Archean Rock of W.A.
Ularring Rock - WA   
Point of Interest 
Ernest Giles and his exploring party arrived at Ularring Rock on 15 October 1875 on their journey from Beltana in South Australia to Perth and the Swan River. Tommy Oldham was the first to sight it.
Kanowna - WA   
Point of Interest 
Gold was discovered here in 1894, and the area was at first known as "White Feather". When the government decided to declare a townsite H C Prinsep, then Under Secretary for Mines, stated the Aboriginal name of the place was Kanowna, and this was the name given to the townsite. The townsite was gazetted in December 1894. Kanowna is now an abandoned gold mining town.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder - WA   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Mine Food,Shopping Cemetery,Grave Site Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a Local Government Area in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, about 550 kilometres east of the state capital, Perth. The City covers an area of 95,575 square kilometres, and its seat of government is the town of Kalgoorlie, which with Boulder is home to all but 244 of the City's population.
Kunanalling - WA   
Point of Interest 
Gold was discovered here in 1895, and it was known as the "25 Mile" when the Warden for this area recommended a townsite be declared here the same year. At this time it was referred to as the "25 Mile" or "Coonanalling", but when gazetted in 1896 the Lands Department applied spelling rules that changed it to Kunanalling. The townsite is now abandoned.
Siberia - WA   
Point of Interest 
Gold was discovered here by the prospectors Billy Frost and Bob Bonner in the late 1890's, and the influx of miners into the area soon created demand for a townsite. Siberia derives its name from Siberia Tank, a nearby water supply for the area. Siberia is now an abandoned goldfields townsite.
Yerilla Ruins - WA   
Point of Interest 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Mulline - WA   
Point of Interest 
Gold was discovered in this area in the mid 1890s, and the numbers of miners in the area was sufficient for a townsite. Mulline was gazetted in 1897, and takes its name from Mulline Rock, an Aboriginal name recorded by Surveyor Brazier in 1894. Mulline is now an abandoned goldfields townsite, located about 40kms west of Menzies.
Kintore - WA   
Point of Interest 
Gold was discovered here in the late 1890s, and in 1897 the Kintore Progress Committee sought the declaration of a townsite for their rapidly growing community. The townsite was gazetted later the same year. The name is believed to relate to a mining name, but the origin is unknown at present. Kintore is now an abandoned townsite.
Ghost Rocks - WA   
Point of Interest 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Mount Owen - WA   
Mountain,Peak,Hill 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Four Mile Hill - WA   
Mountain,Peak,Hill 
No description entered. Enter description or photos.

 Preparation

Although this trek note is not as remote as say the Cave Hill Woodlines, it is still wise to include carrying sufficient fuel, water, food, supplies, communications and navigation gear such as a GPS and HF radio, safety equipment and first aid, along with emergency backup supplies. It is also handy to check the road conditions for Kalgoorlie-Boulder before you depart.
Click here for Road Conditions.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolCoolgardie, Ora Banda, Menzies, Kookynie, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Diesel4cyl 85 litres ULP4cyl 98 litres LPG4cyl 122 litres
6cyl 93 litres6cyl 110 litres6cyl 107 litres
8cyl 95 litres8cyl 101 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 14.62km NE
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 33.632.129.525.1 20.617.516.718.5 22.225.728.932.0
Mean Min. °C 18.217.816.012.6 8.66.14.95.5 8.010.914.016.6
Mean Rain mm 23.230.924.521.5 27.129.124.721.7 14.215.017.716.2
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Coolgardie, Ora Banda, Menzies, Kookynie, Kalgoorlie-Boulder.aspx" class="lb">Kalgoorlie-Boulder

 Camp Sites & Accommodation

Morapoi - WA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Water Supply Toilet Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Point of Interest
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Niagara Dam Nature Reserve - WA   RatingRatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Camp Free Water Supply Toilet National Parks,Reserves Water Body,River,Stream,Falls
Niagra Dam is located 60km north east of Menzies, via Kookynie Road for 13km. (dirt track) not far from Kookynie in the WA Goldfields. The dam was originally used for steam engines, now is just collecting water! Good camping at the base of the dam and the surrounding area. You will need to take wood in if you are planning on having a fire.
Menzies - WA   RatingRatingRatingRating
Populated Place Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Menzies was an American born prospector who had sought gold in America, Africa and New Zealand, and came to Australia on behalf of a syndicate. The townsite was gazetted in August 1895. Menzies is located 132 km north of Kalgoorlie and 729 km east of Perth.
Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park - WA   RatingRatingRating
National Parks,Reserves Toilet Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Camp Fee Point of Interest
Located 70km north of Coolgardie, via Coolgardie North Road through Kunanalling and Kintore, Rowles Lagoon is a a semi-permanent fresh water lake and although over 40 species of water birds can be found here, the lagoon is a gazetted water ski area and camping is allowed.
Ora Banda - WA   RatingRatingRating
Populated Place Caravan Park Fuel Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Resort,Motel
Ora Banda is located approximately 70km from Kalgoorlie. The Ora Banda Historical Inn will be 100 years old in 2011. The grounds have 7 motel units and a caravan park (coming soon) with powered and un-powered sites. Located next to the Ora Banda Historical Inn grounds is the old Government Battery which used to process ore for the local prospectors and will soon be turned into a museum.
Coolgardie - WA   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Take plenty of time to explore Coolgardie, admire it's magnificent buildings and it's various museum's. John and Agnes Holland are buried in the pioneer cemetery.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder - WA   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Mine Food,Shopping Cemetery,Grave Site Camp Fee Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a Local Government Area in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, about 550 kilometres east of the state capital, Perth. The City covers an area of 95,575 square kilometres, and its seat of government is the town of Kalgoorlie, which with Boulder is home to all but 244 of the City's population.
Kookynie - WA   
Populated Place Caravan Park Rubbish Bin,Tip Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Camp Fee Resort,Motel
Kookynie is situated 70km north east of Menzies by road and is part of the Shire of Menzies. Nowadays the town, commonly referred to as a ghost town, caters for many tourists, prospectors, fossickers, mining and exploration companies, pastoralists and a local population of thirteen.

 Environment

The tracks are very well graded with excellent formed gravel roads providing a more authentic outback goldfields tour. The tranquil forests comprises of more than a hundred species of eucalyptus including marble-coloured salmon gums, bronze-barked gimlets, and a variety of blackbutts. This provides a superbly unique and fascinating view contrasting against the rich, red earth and the blue skies. There is nowhere else in Australia where there are so many different tall trees in such an arid environment.

There are many bird species that flourish here such as the threatened bilby or rabbit-eared bandicoot, chuditch, mallee fowl, scarlet chested parrot, sandhill dunnart and mulgara. The inhabitants of the area include ornate lizards, emus, echidnas, carpet pythons, honey-eaters, yellow-throated miners, rainbow bee-eaters and budgerigars.

The region is very popular during Spring with the start of the spectacular wildflower season that transforms the normally desolate landscape into a blanket of colour. Flowers such as the emblem of the state - the Kangaroo Paw and wattles, daisies and everlastings are some of the variety of flowers seen for at least five months of the year. Guided wildflower tours are available so please contact the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Tourist Centre for wildflower conditions and tour availability.

The Kalgoorlie Goldfields Visitor Centre

250 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie and 106 Burt Street, Boulder
Phone: (08) 9021 1966
Email: visitors@kalgoorlie.com

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Coolgardie to Great Eastern Hwy & Victoria Rock Rd 0.46 km W 260°
Great Eastern Hwy & Victoria Rock Rd to Kunanalling 33.59 km N 344° 24 min
Kunanalling to Kintore 12.86 km NW 334° 13 min
Kintore to Twelve Mile Dam 8.45 km NW 331° 5 min
Twelve Mile Dam to Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park 21.48 km NW 317° 17 min
Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park to Ora Banda 27.07 km E 73° 30 min
Ora Banda to Siberia 21.65 km NW 326° 19 min
Siberia to Davyhurst 41.75 km NW 306° 34 min
Davyhurst to Ularring Rock 26.79 km NW 324° 28 min
Ularring Rock to Mulline 16.48 km N 350° 15 min
Mulline to Lake Ballard 49.84 km N 11° 40 min
Lake Ballard to Ghost Rocks 31.67 km SE 114° 23 min
Ghost Rocks to Mount Owen 21.85 km SE 135° 16 min
Mount Owen to Menzies 2.61 km S 164° 4 min
Menzies to Morapoi 52.04 km NE 46° 40 min
Morapoi to Niagara Dam Nature Reserve 7.83 km E 87° 7 min
Niagara Dam Nature Reserve to Kookynie 13.49 km NE 40° 13 min
Kookynie to Yerilla Ruins 38.03 km SE 116° 32 min
Yerilla Ruins to Kookynie Yarri Rd & Cranky Jack Rd 12.47 km SE 133° 9 min
Kookynie Yarri Rd & Cranky Jack Rd to Yarri Rd & Porphry Access 39.96 km S 176° 30 min
Yarri Rd & Porphry Access to Gindalbie 50.29 km S 200° 37 min
Gindalbie to Four Mile Hill 38.46 km S 199° 32 min
Four Mile Hill to Kanowna 6.21 km SW 227° 5 min
Kanowna to Kalgoorlie-Boulder 33.16 km SW 219° 28 min
Coolgardie to Kalgoorlie-Boulder 608.5 km     8 hr 50 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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What Others have Said

Latest 2 of 2

Member - David M (SA) : 2 Apr 09 14:54
Just wondering how many other members are packing up the 4B's and h...
Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) : 3 Dec 08 21:53
just read the credo station near rowles lagoon about 80km Nth of kal...

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