KALGOORLIE-BLOG 7

BLOG 7 KALGOORLIE
We loved Kalgoorlie. A really liveable city. Of course it wouldn’t be quite as liveable in the summer months as we arrived at the end of March. I just loved the fact that there were so many walking/bike trails, enough to have a brochure and map on just that. Of course I pounded the pavement along quite a few ,which takes away any boredom. You get different views each time.
A brief history of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
In June 1893 three Irish prospectors, Patrick Hannan, Tom Flanagan and Daniel Shea rode out east of Coolgardie in a continuing quest for gold. When one of their horses lost a shoe, 20klm short of their intended destination, they were forced to camp overnight at Mt. Charlotte. It was a stroke of pure luck- during the next few days they collected nearly 100 ounces of alluvial nuggets. Hannan registered the Reward Claim in Coolgardie on 17 June 1893 and the goldrush that followed was staggering in size. Men flocked to the Goldfields in their thousands from all over the colony and later from overseas. The famous town of Kalgoorlie was born.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder has a population of 30,000 being the largest population of any regional city in Western Australia and also the largest city in the Australian Outback. The city is rich in history and heritage. There are numerous heritage listed buildings within Kalgoorlie-Boulder. On arriving we discovered that many of these buildings had scaffolding erected around them waiting for repairs after a damaging earthquake hit the city in April, 2010. The most being in the Boulder part of the city. There are lovely parkland facilities for recreational activities including the Goldfields Oasis an aquatic facility which includes an indoor heated pool, with magnificent child friendly swimming areas, a fully equipped gym and indoor and outdoor playing fields. Also has WA’s only Flowrider, a 10mtr high waterslide and a rapid river.
The Super Pit, previously known as “The Golden Mile”, is one of the biggest open cut mines in the world, and reputed to be the richest square mile of gold bearing earth in the world. It is currently 500mtrs deep and measures 3.5klms. in length and 1.5klms. in width and we were able to go on a Pit Tour, which was just amazing as we were right up in there looking down at those huge dump trucks that looked like ants in such a large area. Those huge dump trucks carry 220 tonne which = 1000kg and only 1 out of every 6 loads carries ore with gold, approx.2grams per tonne, equalling 450 to 500grams per truck load of ore to produce gold the size of a golf ball. No wonder jewellery is so expensive!!!! All of this is only approx. 600mtrs. from the edge of the city. Another day from the Super Pit Lookout we witnessed a blast, which they do most days around the same time.
The Mining Hall of Fame is well worth a visit too. So well put together with the history of the gold rush days back in the 1890’s. There is still an underground mine operating in the area, but another one is still open for tourists to visit, which was our choice. A little nerve racking for me going down in the cage. It held approx. 4 people and just so squashed. Thank goodness it only took 53secs to get down into the mine. They did it tough in the early days of mining. A demonstration of a gold pour was also good, as per photos. The Hall of Fame itself has a great history of the early pioneering of the gold rush and the companies and people that followed on. Due to price of gold on the rise in the past few years there are quite a number of mining leases re-opening throughout the Goldfields. As a prospector we have limited areas that enable us to go prospecting. Anyway, this was D’Arcy’s first chance of using his new detector and trying it out. We had a lovely neighbour in the caravan park that has lived in the area for a number of years and obligingly gave D’Arcy a map and directions of where to go, just to get some knowledge of it all. It does take some getting used to though. Still looking!!!!!!
The Metropole Hotel in Boulder (photo with scaffolding) has a history on its own. As we heard about it decided to go and have a look. It seems that some miners decided to dig a tunnel from the gold mine they were working in that led to the bar area of the Metropole Hotel. This was a way of stealing gold and getting it out from the mine. That tunnel is still visible today with a glass top so you can see down. Tried taking photos, but just reflected back. Great talking to the locals too.

ESPERANCE BLOG 6

ESPERANCE. March. 2011

Esperance approx. 894klms. from Perth, via Pemberton, Albany etc. along the southern coastline.

The weather was very comfortable and I must say a lot cooler than the high temps. being experienced in Perth.
On our arrival in Esperance on the 19th March we met a couple, Don & Rhonda, who had purchased the same rig as ours. As it turned out he was an auto electrician, just what we needed, as we were having some battery problems. After a few hours on the job found the problems and had them rectified. No more battery hassles now. Thankyou Don.
Esperance is beautiful, with clear aqua water and lovely scenery. 18klms off the coast is one of group of islands, Woody Island. There was the option of a day cruise or include an overnight stopover on the island, staying in safari tent style accommodation. We waited for a window in the weather to get a couple of good days and decided on the island stay. It was just lovely. Beautiful walks to take in the scenery from all angles back to the mainland and beyond. During the cruise out to the island we stopped off a couple of times to witness the NZ fur seals at play and to feed the white breasted sea eagles that came down for their fish feed thrown by a member of the crew. A little too fast for my camera skills unfortunately. Dinner in the island restaurant was included with a set menu and a choice of dessert. Our waitress, Terri, chose to give D’Arcy extra ice-cream on his cake. Such a smoothie...
The Esperance Seafront Caravan Park was the choice of our stay and right on the Esplanade looking out over the water to the islands. Lovely sunrises.
A day trip to Cape le Grande National Park, approx. 50klms from Esperance along the coast line is a must see. So beautiful. We took our picnic lunch which we enjoyed in one of the park areas along the coast. There is also a tourist loop north of the town which takes you along the coast to various beaches and lookouts. Just stunning scenery. Like so many places it will be on the list to return and spend more time.
A week later and we were on our way to Kalgoorlie, 408klms. north. Stopped just short of Kalgoorlie at Lake Douglas. A good spot for an overnighter and only a short distance into Kalgoorlie the next day. Our first experience of the season with the bush flies. Out came the nets and the cream and the spray. Pestie little buggers. With no cover they get into the eyes, the ears, and the nose and seem to stick there, hence the nets.etc.
More on Kalgoorlie next post.......