4 hours on from Esperance and Squizz, Ms C and I arrived at what is know as the Gold Capital of Australia [once
Kalgoorlie and Boulder separate towns NOW known as one town] – reportedly
producing 8% of the total worlds gold annually. Very similar at first to Ms C to
Broken Hill [from her days working there back in the late 1980’s], but we soon
discovered so rich in history and wealth and a vital cog in the Australian
economy. Quite deserted in some areas [lots of empty shops] moment due to the lower prices worldwide for Gold and the winding back of mining [a tad]
BUT we were told things were ramping up again and the town was expected to grow
again. This is a statue of Paddy Hannon in the centre of town who helped find the first gold in the area.
We visited the Superpit - which is Australia's largest open cut gold mine. The pit is oblong in plan view and 3.5km long, 1.5km wide and over 600 metres deep. The mine produced 14.2tonnes of gold in 2019 and employs around 1100 people on site.
Squizz talked Ms C and I into trying something new and booked us in for a Harley Davidson Trike Tour – a guided
historical tour of the town on the back on a Harley Davidson. Best decision and
our 1hour tour extended to 2 and a half with our local guide Greg. Full of
stories and anecdotes. We went quite fast and were all wearing helmets and seatbelts and we hooned through town with the music blaring!
We also visited the Tourist mine to explore the history of the area as well as pan for gold –
BUT alas we did not come away with any – so back to work Ms C goes in July. The best part I saw was the Camp for Paddy Hannan - one of the men who first discovered gold in the area back in 1883. We listened to his story.
Then Squizz took me into the Chunky Money Timber shop and I got to sit on a dinosaur.
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