Day 13 - Laverton to Kalgoorlie [350 km]

Last night was really enjoyable - a few drinks in the pub, a good meal and a noisy game of Rugby league to watch. The pub wasn't too crowded - apart from our group (mostly Queensland supporters) and a noisy group of NSW supporters, there were only two or three other people in the pub.

Our 'donga' was better than last night's and the pub was excellent!

We lost the rugby very badly!

The morning was cold when we had breakfast near the bus but there was a colourful sunrise (and a tree that glowed in the morning sun)

We walked round the Laverton town - an attractive little place. There is a statute of Dr Charles Laver, after whom the town is named.

From Laverton we drove to Leonora where the Sons of Gwalia mine is situated as well as the well preserved 'Gwalia Ghost Town' and museum. We parked the bus in the Ghost Town and started the tour after a cup of coffee. The town is well preserved and well looked after as you can see from the pictures.

Ghost Town layout - streets and buildings

'Petronis Guest Home' where many miners lived (singles' quarters on the side)

Garage (or what's left of it) and house and transport.

Pub (State Hotel)

From the Ghost Town we went up to the museum and the mine buildings. Since this was a 19th century mine, there is a lot of history of the changes that have taken place here, from old transport to mining machinery. 

One time Mine Manager (and later US President) Herbert Hoover's house is also well preserved.

The mine itself is visible from the same area. It is a very compact exhibition!

After lunch we headed towards Kalgoorlie, stopping at a 'two-up' venue along the way.

Our first stop in Kalgoorlie - Boulder (twin towns) was the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme that helped these towns to survive by pumping water from Perth to Kalgoorlie via a 556km long pipeline system. a truly visionary project started in 1903. From the hill with the storage tank, one could get a good view of the city.

After the water supply scheme we visited the 'main attraction' of Kalgoorlie - the 'Super Pit'. This open cut mine is 3.7 km long, 1.5km wide and 480. deep (enough to bury Uluru, they say). From the lookout it's awe-inspiring.

Notice the tiny machines at the bottom right of the picture - that's how big the mine is!

After all that excitement, it's off to our accommodation for the night (last one on this trip). It's still early enough so Marg & I may get some time to walk the streets of Kalgoorlie before drinks and dinner...