Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Boulder, Australia

Now incorporated into Kalgoorlie, the gold mining town of Boulder was an independent settlement until 1989. The prominent town hall and the historical architecture found on Burt Street are testimonies to Boulder’s rich history and the wealth generated by gold.

Boulder emerged during the gold rush of the 1890s, and gold mining remains active today at the expansive Super Pit, located directly across the Goldfields Highway.

An observation point offers visitors a chance to gaze into this vast pit, which extends 600 meters deep. In the nearby Goldfields, one can visit show mines, mining museums, abandoned towns, remote outback pubs, and areas that have been reclaimed by the eucalypt forests that once dominated the landscape.

1. Hannans North Tourist Mine

This site, located five minutes along the Goldfields Highway, serves as a wealth of information regarding both the historical and contemporary aspects of mining in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

The first application for a lease at Hannans North was submitted in 1893, a mere five months following the discovery of gold in the region.

The mine operated through a continuously deepening shaft from 1934 until 1991, when it transitioned into a tourist attraction.

Visitors can explore historic buildings and observe significant pieces of heavy machinery, including a 994K Large Wheel Loader and a 793C Haul Truck.

Younger enthusiasts may try their hand at panning for gold, and a tranquil Chinese Garden of Remembrance on-site provides a space for quiet reflection.

2. Super Pit

Boulder is adjacent to an impressively large open pit gold mine, which measures 600 meters in depth, 3.5 kilometers in length, and 1.5 kilometers in width.

The Fimiston Open Pit, known as the Super Pit, is a relatively recent development that began after 1989 with the establishment of Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM). Prior to this, multiple independent operations had been mining since 1893. KCGM organizes complimentary tours at 09:00, 10:00, and 11:00 on Boulder Market Day (the third Sunday of each month). Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, allowing access to the mine via bus.

The tour allows you to pass through security gates to view the Fimiston Mill and Workshop Yard.

The highlight is an internal lookout within the pit, granting an awe-inspiring view of this monumental operation.

3. KCGM Super Pit Lookout

Outram Street in Boulder features a public lookout that overlooks the Super Pit.

This viewing area has shifted over time as the mine has expanded, allowing a clear vantage point over this massive excavation site from a fenced area with informative panels.

As your eyes adjust, you may notice small vehicles navigating along the terraces, similar to the enormous machinery displayed at the Hannans North Tourist Mine.

Prior to your visit, it is advisable to check online for blasting schedules occurring three to four times a week, where you can witness and feel excavation activities.

4. Museum of the Goldfields

The Museum of the Goldfields is located on Hannan Street, shadowed by the iconic Ivanhoe headframe, which visitors can ascend in a glass elevator for panoramic views of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Great Western Woodlands.

This museum features a significant portion of Western Australia’s gold collection, showcasing an impressive array of gold bars, nuggets, jewelry, and ingots housed within an underground vault.

Additionally, the museum features several historical buildings that reflect the gold rush era, including the jarrah-lined office of entrepreneur Claude de Bernales, the Woodline Office, the Hainault Shed, WA Bank, and a preserved miner’s cottage.

The collection includes an extensive array of documents, photographs, tools, and artifacts spanning over 130 years.

5. Burt Street

This east-to-west thoroughfare runs through the heart of Boulder, extending from the Goldfields Highway to Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport.

The eastern sections of Burt Street are steeped in rich history, and in recent years, the charming, heritage-listed facades, verandas, and parapets have undergone restoration.

Alongside Boulder Town Hall, noteworthy establishments include the Albion Hotel, constructed in the Federation Filigree style in 1898. While this location represents the oldest part of town, it also boasts the most vibrant scene, with an array of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops lining both sides.

Beyond the eastern end lies the heritage-listed Boulder Railway Station building from 1903, and nearby, the Art Deco former Boulder Power Station (constructed in 1939) now accommodates the Eastern Goldfields Historical Society.

6. Boulder Town Hall

Boulder’s most significant surviving monument from the gold rush is the elegant town hall, constructed in 1908 and once a central hub of community life.

Visitors can enter to view the hall’s stunning theatre, adorned with pressed tin ceilings and intricate wrought iron balustrades in the gallery, available on Tuesdays at 10:30 and the third Sunday of the month (Boulder’s market day).

A diverse range of performers has graced this venue, from Dame Nellie Melba to AC/DC.

The theatre’s most famous original detail is a curtain painted by Philip Goatcher (1851-1931), a celebrated Victorian-era scene painter.

This curtain, depicting the Bay of Naples, is believed to be the last remaining theatre curtain by Goatcher in its original location.

The town hall also features a museum exhibition chronicling the contributions of Boulder residents during wartime, from the Boer Wars to the present day.

7. Golden Footsteps Discovery Trail

The visitor information center for Kalgoorlie-Boulder is located at Kalgoorlie Town Hall. Should you wish to deepen your understanding of Boulder, be sure to acquire the Golden Footsteps leaflet.

This leaflet serves as a guide for an interactive trail that winds through the town, created in the early 2000s.

Along the way, you will discover 72 granite plaques commemorating significant events, locations, and individuals.

8. Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport, located at the end of Burt Street, serves as a working base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, one of the world’s largest aeromedical organizations.

Daily, the service traverses more than 73,500 kilometers and manages over 800 patient interactions in some of the most remote locations globally.

Visitors can learn about the organization’s operations within Western Australia at their visitor center, which is enhanced with interactive multimedia displays and screening footage at the Roger Waller Theatre.

Guided tours are available Monday to Friday at 10:15 and 14:00 (May to October), and patrons can contribute to the organization by purchasing a souvenir at the gift shop.

9. Broad Arrow

The initial gold discovery in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder region occurred approximately 40 kilometers north of the town, in what is now a genuine ghost town.

At the turn of the 20th century, Broad Arrow had a population of 15,000 and even hosted its own stock exchange.

By the 1920s, the gold reserves had diminished, prompting residents to relocate, leaving only a single establishment, the Broad Arrow Tavern.

This tavern, built in 1896, stands as an authentic outback pub, serving chilled beverages and its specialty, Broady Burgers.

The walls are almost entirely adorned with handwritten messages from past travelers.

10. Mount Charlotte Reservoir and Lookout

A short journey up the Goldfields Highway leads to the location where, in 1893, a trio of prospectors, including Paddy Hannan, serendipitously found gold after one of their horses lost a shoe.

A decade later, Mount Charlotte became the principal water supply for Kalgoorlie, sourced from water piped 560 kilometers from Mundaring, located outside Perth.

The reservoir is constructed of reinforced concrete and built into the hillside, now functioning as a reserve tank.

Informational panels outline the history of this site, providing clear views over Kalgoorlie-Boulder and fragments of the surrounding mining landscape.

11. Kalgoorlie Town Hall

The prosperity generated by gold mining at the turn of the 20th century is reflected in Kalgoorlie’s Town Hall, completed in 1908 and radiating Edwardian elegance.

In-depth tours are available on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30, allowing visitors to appreciate the lavish interiors adorned with chandeliers, stamped metal ceilings, a theatre, and an impressive central staircase.

During the tour, you will encounter numerous artworks, photographs, and memorabilia that narrate the city’s intriguing history.

Kalgoorlie Town Hall also serves as the visitor information center for Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Eastern Goldfields.

12. Questa Casa

It is unsurprising that a gold mining town would possess a less savory element, and the last standing remnant of Kalgoorlie’s red-light district is now a significant historical artifact.

Located at 133 Hay Street, Questa Casa is a functioning brothel with a lineage tracing back to the 1890s.

During the day, guests can partake in a 75-minute tour that brings to life the Wild West experiences of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, alongside the demanding lives of sex workers and miners.

You will have the opportunity to view the working areas of the establishment, along with the “starting stalls” at the front where staff would engage clients.

13. Karlkurla Bushland Park

Prior to the gold rush, Kalgoorlie-Boulder was enveloped in extensive eucalypt forests.

This woodland was rapidly depleted within a few decades to fuel wood-fired mining machinery.

Some natural areas are re-emerging, including this 200-hectare park located in the northern Hannans suburb.

Composed of natural regrowth bushland as well as thousands of trees, shrubs, and smaller plants planted by local community members, Karlkurla Bushland Park was established in 2000. Visitors can explore the park along a four-kilometer trail, pausing to reflect at the Katunga lookout.

The park is home to western grey kangaroos, which are often spotted during dawn and dusk, as well as a variety of reptiles such as bobtails, dragon lizards, and mulga snakes.

A plant guide for this area is available at the Kalgoorlie-Boulder visitor information center.

14. Golden Quest Discovery Trail

For those equipped with a 4WD vehicle, Boulder can serve as the starting point for an adventurous journey into the outback that delves into 130 years of gold mining history.

The Golden Quest Discovery Trail begins in the south, branching out from Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie-Boulder, extending over 965 kilometers through Western Australia and encompassing 25 sites associated with the gold rush.

Visitors will encounter remarkable sights, including eerie ghost towns, the expansive waters of Niagara Dam, stunning natural landscapes, secluded pubs, and museums rich with mining history.

Lake Ballard is particularly memorable, featuring 51 human figures crafted by the renowned artist Antony Gormley.

15. St Barbara’s Festival

Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s mining heritage is prominently celebrated during this week-long festival, typically held at the beginning of December.

Few festivals worldwide feature a colossal CAT 793 haul truck parading down city streets.

This event, along with other significant mining equipment, marches along Hannan Street for the Sunday parade, an occasion that attracts thousands, includes giveaways, numerous stalls, and family activities.

The preceding Thursday is dedicated to the Miners’ Memorial on St Barbara’s Square, a commemorative service honoring the lives of individuals who have perished while working in the mining sector.