Goldfields Loop

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesCoolgardie
FinishKalgoorlie-Boulder
DifficultyDifficulty 2/5
Suitable For2WD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance585.66 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed44.03 km/hr
Travel Time13 hrs 18 mins
Page Updated: 5 Dec 2023

Description

The goldfields loop heading north from Coolgardie and finishing at Kalgoorlie is probably one of the most interesting routes in this region. Travelling over excellent formed gravel roads, you pass through a region that is filled with history, European and Aboriginal culture and the stunning, yet unbelievably dry and harsh environment that is the Eastern goldfields of outback WA.

The discovery of gold in Coolgardie in 1892 by Arthur Bayley and William Ford, started the gold rush and this was encouraged by further discoveries in Kalgoorlie (East Coolgardie at that time) by Patrick "Paddy" Hannan, Tom Flanagan and Dan Shea in 1893. While some found gold, many only found hardship, sickness and death caused by inadequate housing, lack of fresh water and food, insufficient medical attention and supplies. Stories of hardship occurred at Menzies with a deadly typhoid outbreak and also during the ill-fated Siberia rush where many prospectors suffered from dehydration due to an extreme lack of water in the area. Towns like Kunanalling were bustling at one stage only to turn to ghost towns when the gold dried up. This route has many of these old towns now in ruins with cemeteries and mining relics near its midst. They each have a fascinating story to tell and are worth exploring around. Some of the other sites well worth visiting and exploring are: Lake Ballard with the surreal sculptures by Antony Gormley, Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park, Ularring Rock and definitely Niagara Dam Nature Reserve.

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

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Environment

The tracks are very well graded with excellent formed gravel roads providing a more authentic outback goldfields tour. The tranquil forests comprises of more than a hundred species of eucalyptus including marble-coloured salmon gums, bronze-barked gimlets, and a variety of blackbutts. This provides a superbly unique and fascinating view contrasting against the rich, red earth and the blue skies. There is nowhere else in Australia where there are so many different tall trees in such an arid environment.

There are many bird species that flourish here such as the threatened bilby or rabbit-eared bandicoot, chuditch, mallee fowl, scarlet chested parrot, sandhill dunnart and mulgara. The inhabitants of the area include ornate lizards, emus, echidnas, carpet pythons, honey-eaters, yellow-throated miners, rainbow bee-eaters and budgerigars.

The region is very popular during Spring with the start of the spectacular wildflower season that transforms the normally desolate landscape into a blanket of colour. Flowers such as the emblem of the state - the Kangaroo Paw and wattles, daisies and everlastings are some of the variety of flowers seen for at least five months of the year. Guided wildflower tours are available so please contact the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Tourist Centre for wildflower conditions and tour availability.

The Kalgoorlie Goldfields Visitor Centre

250 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie and 106 Burt Street, Boulder
Phone: (08) 9021 1966
Email: visitors@kalgoorlie.com

TrekID: 137

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
Although this trek note is not as remote as say the Cave Hill Woodlines, it is still wise to include carrying sufficient fuel, water, food, supplies, communications and navigation gear such as a GPS and HF radio, safety equipment and first aid, along with emergency backup supplies. It is also handy to check the road conditions for Kalgoorlie-Boulder before you depart.
Click here for Road Conditions.

Permits

No permits are needed for the Goldfields Loop trek note.

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 82 litres4cyl 95 litres4cyl 117 litres
6cyl 90 litres6cyl 106 litres6cyl 103 litres
8cyl 90 litres8cyl 97 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport
Distance from Trek Mid Point 14.62km NE
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C33.732.129.525.220.717.516.718.622.225.829.032.0
Mean Min. °C18.317.816.012.68.76.25.05.68.011.114.116.6
Mean Rain mm24.131.326.020.626.228.325.021.014.115.318.016.3
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Coolgardie to Great Eastern Hwy & Victoria Rock Rd
Driving: 0.86 km
Heading: 260°
Avg Speed: 39.05 km/hr
EST Time: 01:19
  • Drive south on Hunt Street. for: 0.12 km time: 00:17
  • Turn right onto 94/357/Bayley Street. for: 0.72 km time: 00:58
  • Turn left onto Jobson Street. for: 0.01 km time: 00:04
Great Eastern Hwy & Victoria Rock Rd to Kunanalling
Driving: 34.08 km
Heading: 344°
Avg Speed: 49.05 km/hr
EST Time: 41:41
  • Drive north on Jobson Street. for: 1.08 km time: 02:01
  • Turn left onto Coolgardie North Road. for: 6.26 km time: 07:10
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Coolgardie North Road for: 10.63 km time: 22:38
  • Keep right to stay on Coolgardie North Road. for: 16.1 km time: 09:52
Kunanalling to Kintore
Driving: 10.65 km
Heading: 334°
Avg Speed: 99.99 km/hr
EST Time: 06:23
  • Drive north on Coolgardie North Road. for: 10.65 km time: 06:24
Kintore to Twelve Mile Dam
Driving: 8.41 km
Heading: 331°
Avg Speed: 53.72 km/hr
EST Time: 09:23
  • Drive north on Coolgardie North Road. for: 8.41 km time: 09:24
Twelve Mile Dam to Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park
Driving: 21.97 km
Heading: 317°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 37:39
  • Drive northwest on Coolgardie North Road. for: 5.36 km time: 00:31
  • Bear left to stay on Coolgardie North Road. for: 9.75 km time: 04:41
  • Turn right onto Carbine North Access Road. for: 3.22 km time: 15:28
  • Bear right. for: 3.53 km time: 16:57
  • Turn left. for: 0.12 km time: 00:03
Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park to Ora Banda
Driving: 38.16 km
Heading: 73°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:05:25
  • Drive north. for: 0.12 km time: 00:05
  • Turn right onto Carbine North Access Road. for: 6.75 km time: 53:49
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Coolgardie North Road for: 9.69 km time: 07:44
  • Bear left. for: 0.05 km time: 00:03
  • Bear left onto Carbine - Ora Banda Road. for: 21.55 km time: 03:45
Ora Banda to Siberia
Driving: 19.28 km
Heading: 326°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 33:03
  • Drive north on Ora Banda - Carbine Road. for: 19.1 km time: 32:36
  • Turn right onto Siberia Canegrass Road. for: 0.18 km time: 00:28
Siberia to Davyhurst
Driving: 41.54 km
Heading: 306°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:11:12
  • Drive southwest on Siberia Canegrass Road. for: 0.18 km time: 00:23
  • Turn right onto Ora Banda-Davyhurst Road. for: 40.37 km time: 01:07:02
  • Turn right onto Davyhurst Cemetery Road. for: 0.99 km time: 03:48
Davyhurst to Ularring Rock Bush Camp
Driving: 18.79 km
Heading: 324°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 32:12
  • Head northwest on Davyhurst Cemetery Road for: 0 km time: 00:01
  • Continue slightly left onto Coolgardie North Road for: 0.28 km time: 00:28
  • Continue onto Davyhurst-Mulline Road for: 18.51 km time: 31:43
Ularring Rock Bush Camp to Mulline
Driving: 14.94 km
Heading: 349°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 25:36
  • Head north on Davyhurst-Mulline Road for: 14.92 km time: 25:35
  • Go straight onto Mulline-Lady Jane Access Road for: 0.02 km time: 00:02
Mulline to Evanston Menzies Road & Riverina Snake Hill Road
Driving: 8.04 km
Heading: 41°
Evanston Menzies Road & Riverina Snake Hill Road to Lake Ballard
Driving: 39.81 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:08:14
  • Head northwest for: 1.91 km time: 01:45
  • Continue onto Riverina - Snake Hill Road for: 34.13 km time: 01:02:35
  • Turn right onto Menzies North West Road for: 2.53 km time: 01:52
  • Turn left onto Lake Ballard Access Road for: 0.08 km time: 00:08
  • Keep left onto Lake Ballard Access Road for: 1 km time: 01:47
  • Make a slight right for: 0.14 km time: 00:06
  • Keep right at the fork for: 0.03 km time: 00:01
Lake Ballard to Ghost Rocks
Driving: 31.15 km
Heading: 114°
Avg Speed: 56 km/hr
EST Time: 33:22
  • Drive southwest on Lake Ballard Access Road. for: 0.58 km time: 01:26
  • Keep left to stay on Lake Ballard Access Road. for: 0.39 km time: 01:09
  • Bear right to stay on Lake Ballard Access Road. for: 0.28 km time: 00:50
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Menzies North West Road for: 29.9 km time: 29:57
Ghost Rocks to Mount Owen
Driving: 21.99 km
Heading: 135°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 37:41
  • Head southeast on Menzies North West Road for: 19.61 km time: 31:32
  • Make a slight left for: 1.4 km time: 02:49
  • Go straight onto Menzies North West Road for: 0.29 km time: 00:32
  • Turn left onto Menzies Cemetery Road for: 0.7 km time: 02:48
Mount Owen to Menzies
Driving: 1.6 km
Heading: 159°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 02:44
  • Head southeast on Menzies Cemetery Road for: 0.7 km time: 01:45
  • Turn left onto Menzies North West Road for: 0.06 km time: 00:04
  • Continue onto Onslow Street for: 0.44 km time: 00:29
  • Turn left onto Brown Street for: 0.33 km time: 00:21
  • Turn right for: 0.03 km time: 00:04
  • Turn left for: 0.04 km time: 00:02
Menzies to Morapoi
Driving: 53.16 km
Heading: 46°
Avg Speed: 84.91 km/hr
EST Time: 37:33
  • Drive west. for: 0.04 km time: 00:13
  • Turn right. for: 0.03 km time: 00:17
  • Turn right onto Brown Street. for: 0.07 km time: 00:30
  • Turn left onto Goldfields Highway. for: 41.7 km time: 23:57
  • Turn right onto Kookynie Road. for: 10.71 km time: 10:38
  • Turn left. for: 0.22 km time: 00:42
  • Turn right. for: 0.38 km time: 01:16
Morapoi to Niagara Dam Nature Reserve
Driving: 8.4 km
Heading: 87°
Avg Speed: 44.4 km/hr
EST Time: 11:21
  • Drive northeast. for: 0.38 km time: 01:09
  • Turn left. for: 0.22 km time: 00:44
  • Turn left onto Kookynie Road. for: 4.76 km time: 04:47
  • Turn right onto Niagra Dam Road. for: 3.04 km time: 04:41
Niagara Dam Nature Reserve to Kookynie
Driving: 12.05 km
Heading: 40°
Avg Speed: 50.7 km/hr
EST Time: 14:15
  • Drive northeast on Niagra Dam Road. for: 3.04 km time: 04:34
  • Turn right onto Kookynie Road. for: 8.74 km time: 08:47
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto Champion Street for: 0.15 km time: 00:28
  • Turn right onto Britannia Street. for: 0.12 km time: 00:27
Kookynie to Yerilla Ruins
Driving: 36.14 km
Heading: 116°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:01:57
  • Drive southwest on Britannia Street. for: 0.12 km time: 00:15
  • Turn left at the end of the road, onto Champion Street for: 0.12 km time: 00:15
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Kookynie Yarri Road for: 35.78 km time: 01:01:15
  • Keep right to take Kookynie Yarri Road. for: 0.12 km time: 00:12
Yerilla Ruins to Kookynie Yarri Rd & Cranky Jack Rd
Driving: 12.49 km
Heading: 133°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 21:24
  • Drive east on Kookynie Yarri Road. for: 12.49 km time: 21:25
Kookynie Yarri Rd & Cranky Jack Rd to Yarri Rd & Porphry Access
Driving: 39.86 km
Heading: 176°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:08:19
  • Drive southeast on Kookynie Yarri Road. for: 0.02 km time: 00:02
  • Turn right onto Cranky Jack Road. for: 39.63 km time: 01:07:54
  • Turn right onto Yarri Road. for: 0.2 km time: 00:24
Yarri Rd & Porphry Access to Gindalbie
Driving: 49.88 km
Heading: 201°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:25:30
  • Drive south on Yarri Road. for: 49.88 km time: 01:25:30
Gindalbie to Four Mile Hill
Driving: 35.89 km
Heading: 199°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 01:01:31
  • Drive south on Yarri Road. for: 35.89 km time: 01:01:31
Four Mile Hill to Kanowna
Driving: 5.71 km
Heading: 227°
Avg Speed: 35 km/hr
EST Time: 09:47
  • Drive southwest on Yarri Road. for: 5.71 km time: 09:48
Kanowna to Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Driving: 20.81 km
Heading: 219°
Avg Speed: 53.89 km/hr
EST Time: 23:10
  • Drive south on Yarri Road. for: 18.25 km time: 18:17
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 3rd exit, onto Williamstown Road for: 1.46 km time: 03:04
  • Turn right at the end of the road, onto Goldfields Highway for: 0.55 km time: 00:35
  • Turn left onto 94/357/Hannan Street. for: 0.29 km time: 00:30
  • Enter the roundabout and take the 2nd exit, onto Hannan Street for: 0.26 km time: 00:44
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

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