Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the bush. On his full-day four-wheel-drive tours, you'll forage for bush tucker,
learn bushcraft, and do things like eat witchetty grubs, cook kangaroo over a
fire, or track emus. Tours cost A$80 (US$52), half price for kids 4 to 12. Geoff
also does twilight campfire evenings, and overnight or longer tours in the bush.
Candidate for “Kalgoorlie's Most Unusual Attraction” award goes to
Langtrees 181,
181 Hay St. (
&
08/9026 2181
), a working brothel styled into
a sex industry museum in the heart of Kalgoorlie's (in)famous red-light district.
For the most part housed in red and pink corrugated iron sheds festooned with
colored lights, this neck of town is a popular drive-by spot among the blue-rinse
bus-tour set, who get a kick out of returning the cheery waves of the workers
standing in their doorways. Ninety-minute tours, fun rather than sleazy, of some
of the 12 themed rooms cost A$25 (US$16). Tours depart 1, 3, and 7pm daily.
Wandering
Coolgardie's
quiet streets, which are graced with historic facades,
is a stroll back in time. More than 100 signboards erected around the place,
many with photos, detail what each site was like at the turn of the 20th century.
The
Goldfields Exhibition,
62 Bayley St. (
&
08/9026 6090
), tells the
town's story in a lovely 1898 building once used as the mining warden's court-
house. (The Tourist Bureau is also here.) Admission is A$3.30 (US$2.15) for
adults, A$2.75 (US$1.80) for seniors, A$1.10 (US70¢) for children under 16,
or A$7.70 (US$5) for a family. It's open daily except Christmas from 9am to
5pm. Coolgardie also has a couple of small museums, including a neat little
pharmaceutical museum, a railway museum, and a National Trust-owned 1895
house open for tours, now restored with period interiors.
The
Coolgardie Camel Farm,
4km (2
1
⁄
2
miles) west of Coolgardie on the
Great Eastern Highway (
&
08/9026 6159
), leads rides through the bush on the
mode of transport they used in the goldfields in the old days—camels.
WHERE TO STAY
Mercure Hotel Plaza Kalgoorlie
Corporate travelers like the practical com-
forts, upscale restaurant, and walking distance to the heart of Kalgoorlie's nightlife
and main street at this AAA-rated four-star property. Many appreciate the extra
touches such as bathrobes, toiletries, magazines, herbal tea, and real coffee. The
rooms are spacious, well appointed, and have balcony views over the city and
Golden Mile. The restaurant has an extensive wine list, and the cocktail bar buzzes
in the evenings.
45 Egan St., Kalgoorlie, WA 6430.
&
1300/656 565
in Australia, 800/221-4542 in the U.S. and Canada,
020/8283 4500 in the U.K., 0800/44 4422 in New Zealand, or 08/9021 4544. Fax 08/9091 2195. www.accor
hotels.com.au. 100 units (all with shower only). A$183-A$199 (US$119-US$129) double; A$276 (US$179)
suite. Extra person A$30 (US$20). Ask about weekend packages. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar;
outdoor pool; tour desk; secretarial services; limited room service; coin-op laundry; same-day laundry/dry clean-
ing service. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron.
WHERE TO DINE
Akudjura
MODERN AUSTRALIAN The Italianate outdoor terrace under
sailcloth and the timber floors, curved silver bar, and blond-wood furniture make
this Kalgoorlie's first groovy restaurant. Bright young waitstaff provide snappy
service from a long and stylish menu featuring items like chicken Caesar salad,
smoked salmon fettuccine, kangaroo steak, and seafood dishes (yep, even in the
desert) like Tasmanian salmon in a citrus and cilantro dressing. Lighter fare is
available outside meal hours.
418 Hannan St. (next to Hannan's View Motel).
&
08/9091 3311.
Reservations recommended. Main courses
A$13-A$32 (US$8.45-US$21); lunch averages A$13 (US$8.45). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 7am to approximately 10pm.
