Kalgoorlie and the surrounding outback have been the site of many goldrushes since the end of the 19th century. Some of the mines have long been closed, others like the Super Pit still operate today. Everywhere villages popped up next to a new mine, thrived as the number of inhabitants exploded and were abandoned from one day to the other when people simply packed their belongings and left a ghost town behind them.
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Today, Kalgoorlie has merged with neighbouring Boulder. Beautiful Victorian buildings line Hannan Street and right next to the city lies the enormous Super Pit, producing 28 tonnes of gold per year.
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The Exchange Hotel - Kalgoorlie
York Hotel - Kalgoorlie
Kalgoorlie Miner building (1900)
Boulder architecture
Boulder town hall
KCGM Super Pit, Australia's largest open cut gold mine (3.5km wide, 360m deep)
Giant haul trucks, each carrying 225 tonnes of blasted rock.
Looking like my old Matchbox toys
Only 1 in 6 trucks actually carries ore. Once processed, the gold is about the same size as a golf ball. The ant-like car at the back gives an idea of the scale.
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