| A Taste of the Outback in Western Australia
Albany
Our tour starts in Western Australia's oldest town, Albany. Now a popular holiday destination, it boasts stunning
coastal scenery and great fishing. At Torndirrup National Park, just south of the town, you can go bushwalking,
whale watching, see the Blowholes or visit the historical museum. To the north, Stirling Range National Park has
lovely wildflower displays in the spring and offers great bushwalking and spectacular views. From Albany, head
northeast towards Esperance. Stop at Fitzgerald River National Park which is one of the most botanically diverse
areas of Western Australia. There are bushwalks and in the winter months you may see Southern Right Whales off Point
Ann. Closer to Esperance lies Stokes National Park, with its estuarine habitat providing a sanctuary for many bird species.
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Esperance
The municipal museum contains remnants of Skylab which fell to the ground nearby, as well as displays relating the
early history of the area. You can fish or watch the seals from the jetty or take the beachside walkway. Visit Pink
Lake, where the water really is a pinkish colour. If you walk to the top of Wireless Hill, you will be rewarded by
extensive views of the town and the islands of the Recherche Archipelago. You can take a cruise around the islands
to view seals and sea lions. Cape Le Grand National Park has wide beaches, wild coastal scenery and dramatic granite
outcrops. The views from Frenchman's Peak are stunning. Visit Whistling Rock, which makes a curious whistling noise
under certain wind conditions.
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Norseman
Heading north, our next stop is at Norseman with its rich goldmining history. The Historical Collection features tools
and household items from the past. The Heritage Trail follows the old Cobb & Co route and includes the descent into
the old Iron Duke mine. Beacon Hill offers views across the salt lakes, which are particularly impressive at sunrise
and sunset. Gemstone fossicking permits are available from the tourist office.
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Coolgardie
The first town of the gold rush days, Coolgardie was once a thriving metropolis of over 15,000 inhabitants. Now a
quiet town of around 1200 people, the town is proud of its fascinating history and a series of markers around the
town indicate places of historic significance. The museum in the Old Court House features displays about the discovery
of gold, while the Open Air Museum includes various wagons and carriages. The former railway station is also now a
museum, featuring transport displays. The Gaol Tree was used during the gold rush for imprisonment of felons.
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Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Still a thriving goldmining town, Kalgoorlie-Boulder retains the fine buildings and wide streets which attest to its
rich past. Take the Heritage Walk along Hannan Street and Burt Street and admire the impressive buildings. The Museum
of the Goldfields houses displays recalling the gold rush, while the School of Mines Museum houses examples of most
of the minerals found in WA. At Hannans North Historical Mining Complex you can take an underground mine tour and
watch gold being poured. The Royal Flying Doctor Service has daily tours of the base. Stay in Kalgoorlie-Boulder
for a while and explore some of the former goldmining towns in the area, such as Ora Banda and Broad Arrow.
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Southern Cross
From here, we turn westwards along the Great Eastern Highway past Coolgardie towards Southern Cross. Between Coolgardie
and Southern Cross lies Boorabin National Park, which is filled with wildflowers in the spring. There are walks
through the area; the salt lakes and sandplains are unique and well worth a visit. The town of Southern Cross has
wide streets - wide enough to turn a camel train around in! The Old Courthouse is now a local history museum and
there are other splendid historic buildings. There are many former gold mining towns in the area or go to Frog Rock,
which has interesting rock formations.
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Merredin
Continuing along the highway towards Merredin, you will find the Edna May Goldmine site near the small town of
Westonia. There is a lookout which gives a fine view over the workings. The last stop on our tour is the town of
Merredin in the wheat belt. Here, you can walk or drive along the Merredin Peak Heritage Trail which highlights
places of historic and geological interest. There is also a military museum with a fine collection of World War II
artefacts and the Old Railway Station Museum which documents local history with displays and exhibitions. If you
have time on your hands, head south from Merredin to the small town of Hyden. Here you will find amazing rock
formations including Wave Rock and the Hippo's Yawn.
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