Golden Outback
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Overview
Visit the old towns of the gold mining days, a region rich in history. In the 1890s thousands of locals and migrants tried their luck with gold prospecting. Relics from the past, equipment, old shanties, stone buildings, mine frames and their belongings are scattered throughout the early settlements.
We will also visit the Kalgoorlie open cut mine, and explore Lake Ballard. 51 unique sculptures based on residents of the Shire of Menzies can be found on the lake.
We explore the Helena & Aurora Ranges (Aboriginal name ‘Bungalbin’), a magnificent banded ironstone formation. This is one of the last ranges in the whole Yilgarn region that is 2.6 billion years old. It’s ancient, it’s unique, and there are species here that are not found anywhere else on the planet. At this time of the year, the area should also still have a good display of wildflowers.
Itinerary
| 1 | Perth to Coolgardie area | We depart Perth from Wellington Street tourist pick up point at 8.00am and head up the Great Eastern Highway towards Coolgardie. Our drive will take us through the forest up the Darling escarpment and then through some of our most fertile wheat and sheep farming areas. We will follow the Golden Pipeline to Western Australia’s eastern goldfields, rich in gold, gold-rush history and scenery, whilst also revealing the story of a unique engineering feat; C.Y.O`Connor built the inspired Goldfields Water Supply Scheme in 1903. It took five years to construct and it is still the longest freshwater pipeline in the world. Accommodation: Bush Camp Coolgardie area LD |
| 2 | Coolgardie area - Kalgoorlie - Lake Ballard | Leaving Coolgardie, it is only a short drive to Kalgoorlie which will take us through eucalypt woodland forests. There are about 14 different eucalypt species between Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, and over 50 around Kalgoorlie. We will visit the massive open-cut mine in Kalgoorlie before continuing onto our campsite at Lake Ballard. Accommodation: Bush Camp Site Lake Ballard BLD |
| 3 | Lake Ballard | We will walk out onto the lake this morning to see the renowned Anthony Gormley outback sculptures which form Australia’s largest world-class art site. Gormley has fused nature and art in a striking display of 51 stark black steel sculptures scattered across seven square kilometres of the vast, flat salt lake. After lunch, we will travel via Menzies and visit the Niagara Nature Reserve and Niagara Dam, a drawcard for the wildlife of the area. Accommodation: Bush Camp Site Lake Ballard BLD |
| 4 | Lake Ballard - Rowles lagoon - Credo Station | Today we travel to Credo Station via Rowles Lagoon, the only freshwater wetland within the Goldfields. Forty-one waterbird species have been recorded here, including eight protected by international treaties. The freckled duck, one of the worldʼs rarest waterfowl, has been recorded breeding here twice. Accommodation: Credo Station Camp Site BLD |
| 5 | Credo Station | Today we return to Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park to spend the day discovering the local wildlife. Accommodation: Credo Station Camp Site BLD |
| 6 | Credo Station to to Helena Aurora Ranges | We will travel via Southern Cross to the Helena Aurora Ranges where we will set up camp. Accommodation: Bush Camp Helena Aurora Ranges BLD |
| 7 & 8 | Helena Aurora Ranges | We will spend the next two days exploring the wildlife and natural history of these often overlooked and threatened ranges. Accommodation: Bush Camp Helena Aurora Ranges BLD |
| 9 | Helena Aurora Ranges - Baladjie Rock - Perth | This morning we pack up and start our return journey to Perth, stopping at the iron ore mining town of Koolyanobbing. We will stop to refuel at the historic gold mining town of Southern Cross and then head to Baladjie Rock (extensive rock outcrops situated in an attractive woodland) for lunch. We should arrive back in Perth in the late afternoon. BL |
NOTE: the above itinerary may be varied according to conditions and advice.
availability
Places available on 15 October 2021 departure
Inclusions
- Two well-maintained 4WD vehicles;
- 2 crew members – a Naturalist/Driver Guide and Driver/Cook;
- Easy-to-erect tents and camp chairs with armrests;
- A self-inflating air mattress and stretcher bed;
- All eating utensils;
- Meals as per itinerary: B (breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner);
- Campsite fees;
- Morning teas;
- All national park entrance fees;
- Travel permits as required.