Kalgoorlie Golden Outback and Southern Edge 12 Day Tour

About the tour

Kalgoorlie | Esperance | Albany | Walpole | Pemberton | Margaret River

Kalgoorlie Golden Outback and Southern Edge 12 Day Tour. Fun and adventure taking in Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Albany, Walpole, Pemberton, Margaret River and Fremantle.

Experience Kalgoorlie goldfields in the Outback and great southern coastline with spectacular adventures visit the Super Pit Gold Mine at Kalgoorlie.

Scenic flight to see mosaic of colourful salt lakes and the pristine aquamarine Esperance coastline. Albany Anzac Centre, Walpole WOW Wilderness Eco Cruise on the Nornalup Inlet,

Pemberton tall Karri Trees, scenic Margaret River Wine Tasting and Busselton Jetty Train ride out to the Under Water observatory and Fremantle Swan River Cruise to Perth. This tour is packed with adventures

Tour itinerary

Kalgoorlie Golden Outback and Southern Edge 12 Day Tour is all year-round touring experiencing and seeing places off the tourism track

Taking in the Kalgoorlie Goldfields Outback and along the great southern coastline of Western Australia, a spectacular adventure from Kalgoorlie, to Esperance, Albany, Walpole, Pemberton, Margaret River and Fremantle.

Visit Perth Mint to witness a gold pour, follow the water pipeline from Mundaring to Mt Charlotte at Kalgoorlie,

Visit Lake Ballard, Gwalia, Esperance with pristine white beaches, Historic Albany the first European settlement in WA, Tree Top Walk and Valley of the Giants, WOW Wilderness Cruise at Walpole,

Pemberton, Margaret River region. Cape Leeuwin, Wine Tasting, Busselton Jetty and the finale Swan River Cruise from Fremantle Harbour to Perth at Barrack St Jetty

Day 1– Perth to Northam

Perth Mint, Swan Valley, Mundaring Weir, Northam

This morning, we meet at 9am to start our Kalgoorlie Outback and Southern Edge 12 Day Tour by visiting The Perth Mint. The Perth Mint is Australia’s official bullion mint and wholly owned by the Government of Western Australia. Established on 20 June 1899, two years before Australia’s Federation in 1901

Watch a live gold pour, Experience the wonder of liquid gold turning into a solid gold bar in the historic original melting house.

A highlight of our The Perth Mint Gold Tour, this attraction takes you back in time where you can imagine what it was like when our melting house was in full swing from 1899 until 1990 when operations moved to a larger refinery near Perth Airport

Be amazed at how hot the furnace must get to melt the gold and how quickly liquid gold turns into a solid bar while you watch on.

Lunch at Sandalford Wines in the Swan Valley, one of the first wineries in the Swan Valley founded in 1840. Enjoy a delicious lunch with the focus on local produce paired with a glass of wine.

Tour scenic in Perth Hills, visit historic Mundaring Weir which supplies Perth and Kalgoorlie their water supply.

Charles Yelverton O’Connor was the first Engineer-in-Chief of Western Australia. In 1891 recruited by Sir John Forrest the Premier of Western Australia at the time CY O’Connor’s task was to improve the colony’s railways, roads, harbour and water supply.

In the 1890s prospectors made a rush for gold in Coolgardie. However, in the dusty, dry and searing heat another precious commodity proved even more elusive – water!

In 1895 the State’s Engineer-in-Chief of Public Works, CY O’Connor, was commissioned to devise a way of delivering fresh water to the arid goldfields around Coolgardie.
Cynics heralded the mission “A scheme of madness”

Mundaring Weir was constructed between 1898 and 1903 to deliver water 566km from Mundaring to Kalgoorlie.

Today Mundaring Weir still supplies water to the Wheatbelt agricultural areas and the Goldfields. It has recently been recognised as an international historic civil engineering landmark.

We visit the weir and enjoy a walk along the top of the weir that offers spectacular views of the Helena Valley with the water backed up to spillway and on the other side at the base the Helena River disappears pass the Number 1 Pump Station Museum and the modern pump station adjacent.

This is the start of our drive trail that follows the pipeline to Kalgoorlie, called the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail.
We cross over the pipeline and continue to Northam.

Northam is second only to Fremantle in terms of historically significant buildings. And third in the state in terms of heritage listed sights.

Visit the Cooperative Bulk Handling (CBH) Grain Silos which were the first to be painted in Australia. Painted as part of FORMS’s PUBLIC 2015 initiative. The silos’ bear artwork from Phlegn (UK) and Hense (USA).

Thirty-eight metres high. Ten silos in a row. London artist Phlegm and Atlanta native HENSE worked on opposite ends.

Continue into Northam and view the grand homes and buildings of yesteryear at a time of wealth in the early 1900’s. The arrival of the railway made Northam the major departure point for prospectors and miners heading east towards the goldfields.

Our overnight accommodation is at the new and stylish Farmers’ Home Hotel in Northam. enjoy Welcome Drinks at the Temperance Bar before dinner.

Accommodation Farmers’ Home Hotel Northam.

Day 2 - Northam to Kalgoorlie

Merredin, Southern Cross, Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie
This morning don’t miss your photo opportunity on Australia’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge when you take an early morning work over the Suspension Bridge close by to our accommodation.
Today we head east on the Great Eastern Highway to Kalgoorlie our overnight stay.
Merredin is on the PUBLIC Silos Art Trail take out your camera to take some spectacular photos of this art work. Western Australian street artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers completed the artwork across four of the 35-metre high silos August 2017.
The Merredin Railway Water Tower is a 15 metre high tower that guides visitors into the rural town of Merredin. Located in Pioneer Park, the 1893 tower held the water that was used to operate steam locomotives for more than 60 years.
Cummins Theatre is a multipurpose performance venue owned and operated by the Shire of Merredin. A heritage listed site, the venue’s historic structure includes the proscenium from Coolgardie’s Tivoli Theatre (1897) as well as the Cummins’ original facade from 1928. Originally built in Coolgardie in 1897, it was dismantled and sent in pieces to Merredin by train. Here the thirty year old Theatre was rebuilt where it stands today on Bates Street. Cummins Theatre, renamed in honour of its founder, opened to the public on the 10th October, 1928. Enjoy at tour of the theatre with morning tea .
Lunch today is at Southern Cross. The major town centre of the Shire of Yilgarn is known by many as the Gateway to the Wheatbelt and the Goldfields. The name ‘Yilgarn’ is Aboriginal for ‘white stone’ or ‘quartz’.
Visit the Yilgarn History Museum the earliest Registrar’s Office in Western Australia and the courthouse, now the Museum, built in 1892.
Coolgardie is known to most Western Australians as a tourist town and a ghost town; it was once the third largest town in Western Australia. At this time, mining of alluvial gold was a major industry which was short lived. Coolgardie is also known as the Mother of Western Australia’s goldfields
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is Australia’s largest Outback City with a population of over 29,000 people. Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a dynamic and sophisticated regional centre.
In 1893 Paddy Hannan, Daniel Shea and Tom Flannagan first discovered gold in an area that is now known as Kalgoorlie the town became known as the “Golden Mile”. Within a few short years the Eastern Goldfields became the economic and political centre of Western Australia.
Dinner Balcony Bar & Restaurant Palace Hotel
Accommodation Rydges Kalgoorlie Resort

Day 3 Kalgoorlie Leonora

Menzies, Lake Ballard, Leonora, Gwalia, Hoover House B&B
This morning visit Mt Charlotte Water Reservoir and Lookout. Mt Charlotte Water Reservoir is where the water from Mundaring Weir arrives and is distributed all over Kalgoorlie and further afield. The hill top provides spectacular views over Kalgoorlie, but it also provides a glimpse of the pipeline that allows Kalgoorlie to exist where it does.
One of the most intriguing things to do in Kalgoorlie is to pay a visit to an old rusty shed that is surrounded by nothing more than red rocks and a few old beer bottles and surrounded by Goldfields black butt woodlands.
This is no ordinary rusty, outback shed. This is The School of Two Up, and one of only two venues in the entire country where the Aussie gambling game of Two Up can be legally played all year round.
Enjoy coffee at Menzies local café Achievable Outback and then visit Lake Ballard.
Lake Ballard “In Side Australia Art Instillation” is at one of Western Australia’s most unusual and remote cultural attractions – Inside Australia. The artwork is a collection of 50 black steel sculptures standing over 10 square kilometres of the white salt plain of Lake Ballard near the town of Menzies. Each sculpture represents one of the 131 local residents, whose bodies were scanned for casts.
Leonora Two hours from Kalgoorlie Leonora is the largest commercial centre north. Discovered and named in 1869 by the great pioneer of Western Australia, John Forrest, it has a picturesque main street and many historic buildings. Surrounding the town are old gold mining centres and cemeteries that are popular with visitors interested in Australian gold rush history and genealogy.
Gwalia The Gwalia Museum is located in former office of the original Sons of Gwalia goldmine. It is well worth a visit before wandering through the deserted homes in the ghost town of Gwalia. The Gwalia has been well preserved and offers an eerie insight into the lives of the former mining community’s residents.
Our overnight stay is Hoover House B&B, originally built in 1898 as a home for the mine manager. Herbert Hoover who commissioned the house later became 31st President of USA. Hoover House is perched nearby the open Gold Mine Pit and at night see the Gold Ore Trucks with headlights beaming bringing gold to the surface.
Accommodation Hoover House B&B Gwalia

Day 4 Leonora - Kalgoorlie

Gwalia, Malcolm Dam, Niagara, Kookynie Kalgoorlie.
Malcolm Dam was constructed in the early years of the 20th century as a source of water for steam trains. The area is now a nature reserve and campsite which is very popular with birding people. The Leonora District High School use information gathered for their studies on the local bird life as part of their curriculum. Not far away is the townsite where the town of Malcolm used to be situated.
Today there is nothing left to show that a town once existed. At one time it was the regional centre and was larger than Leonora. There were six stores, six hotels, a brewery and two bakeries. There were even kerosene powered street lights and a swimming pool. The population reached 450 and there were over 200 buildings. The town was named after Mt. Malcolm in 1869.
Niagara Dam was constructed by the Railways Department in 1897 – 1898, the intention was that the dam would provide plentiful fresh water for the locomotives that would soon be steaming along the new railway linking Kalgoorlie with Malcolm.
Coolgardie based contractors were engaged to build the dam. The biggest challenge was getting a vast quantity of powdered cement to Niagara from Coolgardie where it had been railed from Perth. The cement was transport by camel train 220km one way.
Kookynie attracts people for miles around because of its unique character. It is virtually a ghost town. Australian and overseas tourists just love visiting its famous quintessential outback pub the Kookynie Grand Hotel built in 1902. Enjoy a refreshing drink before we head back to Kalgoorlie.
Dinner in house at Rydges Kalgoorlie
Accommodation Rydges Kalgoorlie Resort

Day 5 - Kalgoorlie - Esperance

Super Pit Tour, Kambalda, Norseman, Esperance
This morning we join a tour of the Super Pit. The Super Pit produces up to 850,000 ounces of gold every year and its operation far outweighs any other mining centre in Australia. The Super Pit is the biggest gold open pit mine in the country.
Don high visibility vest and safety glasses and come and experience a tour of Australia’s largest gold producing mine, the Super Pit. You will be visitor inducted to the KCGM Super Pit and view the mining and milling operations through the Fimiston Milling Plant from the safety of the Mine-Spec Bus (Air-conditioned).
Be amazed by the size of the 793 dump trucks as we travel along the haul roads on site with the trucks. The view of the Super Pit from Harvey Hut will take your breath away as you see the old miner’s workings with old shafts and view the modern mining machinery working in the pit.
We tour to Kambalda for lunch, Norseman and on to Esperance our two night stay.
The nickel town Kambalda is unique consisting of two separate towns seven kilometres apart, Kambalda East and Kambalda West. We visit Red Hill Lookout to view the expansive salt pan 40Km long Lake Leroy
Norseman is situated at the junction of Highways 1 and 94; Norseman is at the crossroads to everywhere and the gateway to the Nullarbor Plains via the Eyre Highway to Eucla on the South Australian boarder
Take a look at the life size Tin Camels that stand in the town as a tribute to the camel trains that carried mail and freight in the early days.
We continue to Esperance and to our accommodation for the next three nights at the Esperance Island View Apartments overlooking Esperance Bay and the Recherché Archipelago.
You will be able to take early morning and evening walks on the beach or on the new walk and cycle paths along the beach, may be go for a refreshing swim in the sparkling waters.
Accommodation Hospitality Esperance

Day 6 Esperance

Esperance Stonehenge, Cape Le Grand, Lucky Bay, Condinup, Wharton Beach
We tour to Wharton Bay. Wharton Beach offers magnificent coastal scenery, a superb beach of iridescent white sand and crystal blue waters. It is a photographer’s delight!
Your tour leader / driver puts it out there and firmly believes this is Australia’s best beach!!!
Enjoy an Aussie country lunch at the Condinup Tavern.
This afternoon we visit Cape Le Grand National Park and Lucky Bay. This beach is famous for its kangaroos which are often seen sunning themselves on the white sandy shoreline.

We also stop at WA’s very own Stonehenge, an exact sized replica of the famous landmark in England. Step back in time 4,000 years and stand in the middle of this massive construction and feel how awesome it must have been when Stonehenge in UK was built.
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Accommodation Esperance Hospitality

Day 7 - Esperance Albany

Scenic Southern Ocean Drive, Ravensthorpe, Albany
This morning we take the scenic route out of Esperance via the spectacular Southern Ocean Drive
In the Ravensthorpe region we tour the Ravensthorpe Range an ecological convergence zone with low ridge of hills that sweep around the northern edge of the town.
The mix of geologies and features from surrounding areas bring together a range of plants making the vegetation communities of the Range among the richest in Australia. The views from the top of the ranges are outstanding
We continue further south to Albany our two night stay.
Accommodation Albany Hilton
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Day 8 - Albany

The Gap & Natural Bridge, Whale World, Mt Clarence, Anzac Centre
Today we explore the scenic Albany region. Albany a port city is the oldest European settlement in Western Australia has a fascinating rich history which has been preserved with British and French connections.
Visit Torndirrup National Park to see iconic Natural Bridge and The Gap, which have stunning views of the southern coast. The Natural Bridge is a granite formation caused by the gradual wearing away of the rock by the Great Southern Ocean.
Join a tour at Whale World. The Historic Whaling Station is situated on the site of the old Cheynes Beach Whaling Company, located on the picturesque southern coast of King George Sound at Albany. Explore the fascinating whaling history of Albany, whaling ceased operating mid 1970’s
Enjoy lunch at Garrison restaurant on Mt Adelaide offering spectacular views of Princess Royal Harbour.
We visit Mt Clarence to see the Anzac Desert Corp Memorial with views over the Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound. The impressive Anzac Desert Mounted Corps Memorial is a duplicate of the original statue erected in Suez in the 1930’s
Today Albany is known as the birthplace of the Anzac story and the home of the National Anzac Centre. Visit the remarkable display of the Anzac story. In late 1914 over 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders left Albany, bound for the Great War. This is their story.
These simple yet evocative words inform the content of the National Anzac Centre, a state-of-the-art interpretive museum overlooking King George Sound.
Accommodation Albany Hilton

Day 9 - Albany - Pemberton

WOW Wilderness Cruise, Tree To[ Walk

Early this morning to drive to Walpole touring through majestic tall Karri forests on our way.

Walpole is surrounded by National Parks that are wilderness. We join the exciting WOW Wilderness Cruise of the Nornalup Inlet.

WOW Wilderness Eco Cruises are nationally recognised as one of the most entertaining and educational ecotourism experiences.
The two-and-a-half hour guided wilderness cruise through the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park to the heart of the Walpole Wilderness. incorporating a boat cruise and an interpretive walk into the Nuyts Wilderness Area. Entertaining and lots of history!

Visit the remarkable ancient Tingle Forest remnants of the Gondwana era. And the amazing Tree Top Walk and Valley of the Giants.

The drive into the Tree Top Walk is spectacular. Karri and Red Tingle Trees loom out of the forest an indication of what is to come at the Tree Top Walk and the Ancient Empire.

You must experience the Tree Top Walk. Stroll among the upper branches of giant Tingle and Karri Trees for a “birds eye view” of the southern forests. This is a fun and exhilarating thing to do.

Nearby under the Tree Top Walk is a winding boardwalk that takes you through a grove of veteran Red Tingle trees called the Ancient Empire. You can even walk through the hollowed-out butt of one tree.

Pemberton is our overnight stay at Forest Lodge Resort just out of Pemberton town and is surrounded by magnificent tall Karri trees.

Accommodation Karri Valley Resort.

Day 10 - Pemberton -Margaret River

Cape Leeuwin, Augusta, Hamlin Bay, Boranup Forest,
Visit Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and see the convergence of the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean and spectacular coastline. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Tower Climb Tour,
Lunch is at the Colourpatch Cafe & Bar is in the small coastal town of Augusta. The Restaurant’s northerly aspect captures the stunning views of the Blackwood River and the township of Augusta. The bar features an early 1960’s Albany-built 10-metre yacht, fully restored to its original condition. Specialising in fresh local seafood, including the famous Ocean Grown Abalone. There is something on offer for every palate.
Pretty Hamlin Bay, A vast expanse of bright white sand, turquoise waters filled with marine life, and spectacular coastal cliff walks. The sheltered bay is great for swimming, snorkelling and fishing, and divers can explore the nearby shipwreck. And interact with the local friendly sting rays.
Tour along the Boranup dirt road viewing regrowth Karri Forests and maybe spot green parrots, wrens, and rosellas .
Surfers Point 8 short kilometres from Margaret River town is known as one of the best ‘big wave’ locations on the planet – on par with Hawaii. Between March and April it hosts in the Margaret River Pro World Championships, where you can watch the world’s top surfers pit their skills on the barrels and big peaks.
Time to continue to our accommodation Margarets In Town Apartments for the next two nights
There are walks explore, shops in perhaps take home a memory of your holiday.
Accommodation Margarets In Town Apartments

Day 11- Margaret River

A Taste of Margaret River Region

Enjoy a scrumptious lunch at award winning Vasse Felix Restaurant. Visit two internationally celebrated wineries.

You’ll sample not only the region’s best cuisine but talk to the winemaker or qualified wine experts of the winery we visit.

Brown Hill Estate a family-owned and operated vineyard established in 1995. Enjoy an inspection of the barrel room with the winemaker and then return into the winery to taste wine and hear the story of the making of the wine.

Kalgoorlie Golden Outback and Southern Edge 12 Day Tour lunch highlights modern Australia style cuisine is at Margaret Rivers founding wine estate Vasse Felix.

Vasse Felix was established in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity. After lunch, enjoy a browse in the Art Gallery which has exhibitions of the renowned Janet Holmes à Court art collection.

At Howard Park private specialised flight tasting of their Icon Wines. Owners the Burch family are a member of Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW) and is the largest family own wine operation in Western Australia.

Accommodation Margarets In Town Apartments

Day 12 - Margaret River Fremantle Perth

Busselton , Fremantle , Perth

This morning visit Busselton Jetty to experience a train ride on the longest wood pylon jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and juts two kilometres out into Geographe Bay to visit the Underwater Observatory which sits 8 metres on the ocean floor.

Discover more than 300 different marine species and Australia’s biggest artificial reef without getting wet. The Busselton Underwater Observatory is 1 of only 6 in the world.

After lunch tour to Fremantle. Fremantle is a port city that is part of the Perth metropolitan area. It is known for its maritime history, Victorian architecture and remnants from Australia’s days as a British penal colony.

Before British settlement 1827 the Dutch visited the region in 1600’s
Fremantle a port city is located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth.

Hotel Transfers to your pre booked accommodation.
Tour End

Tour inclusions

Travel Arrangements

Experience the convenience of pickup from Perth before embarking on your journey. Travel in style and luxury aboard our Land Rover Discovery vehicles.

Included Accommodation