The Goldfields

Things to do

Sport and recreation

Sport and recreation play a vital role in the Goldfields, particularly in the major town centres of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance.

Popular outdoor recreational activities include bush and trail walking, bird and wildflower watching, gold prospecting and fossicking, four-wheel driving, fishing, camping, boating, snorkelling and surfing. Other recreational pursuits such as arts and crafts, dance, music, theatre and performing arts are also well supported in the region.

The sporting community in the Goldfields is strong and diverse and there are a number of sporting and recreational facilities throughout the region, particularly in the towns of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance. Kalgoorlie’s Goldfields Oasis facility is recognised as one of the best regional sports venues in Australia.

There are a number of clubs throughout the region, representing a range of recreational activities including hockey, football, cricket, netball, basketball, swimming, golf, athletics, lawn bowls, equestrian, horse racing, pony clubs, cycling, rifle shooting, soccer, skateboarding, squash, tennis, BMX and martial arts. Sport in the region is supported by the Goldfields Sportshouse, which provides support in the delivery of services to those living in the Goldfields.

For more information, visit:

• Clubs WA
• Department of Sport and Recreation

Events and attractions

The Goldfields region hosts a number of events throughout the year, including farmer’s markets; film, cultural and wildflower festivals; live music and theatre events; film nights; art and craft workshops; car and bike shows; horse races; and bush two-up.

The Goldfields is a diverse region, rich in cultural heritage, that encompasses unique natural landscapes and attractions including a range of national parks and nature reserves.

The region’s Great Western Woodlands is one of the world’s most important ecological areas, containing more than 20% of Australia’s flora species and 25% of Australia’s Eucalypt species, and is home to a variety of rare and endangered animals.

Its gold rush heritage can be explored at a number of museums and visitors today can still try their luck at prospecting or fossicking for gold.

The region’s Golden Quest Discovery Trail provides the opportunity to explore the region’s rugged landscapes, meet with local characters, discover ghost towns and visit the famous Antony Gormley structures at Lake Ballard.

The coastal area of Esperance offers a range of stunning natural attractions including the Cape Le Grand National Park, Twilight Bay, Great Ocean Drive, Hamersley Drive Heritage Trail and Ravensthorpe Range.

For more information on the region’s main events and attractions, visit:

• Australia’s Golden Outback
• Country Arts WA
• Explore Parks WA
• Goldfields Esperance Development Commission
• Local Visitor Centres

Services and facilities

You will find a range of every day services and facilities throughout the Goldfields region, including banks, ATMs, libraries, business centres/telecentres, post offices, shopping (food, grocery and other), hardware stores, police stations, butchers, bakers, cafes, service stations, pubs/taverns, takeaways, newsagents, churches, pharmacies and restaurants. Most of these are located in the region’s main town centres of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance.

For more information, visit the Tourist Information and Visitor Centre located in each town.

Schooling

The Goldfields region provides a range of government and non-government schooling options for primary, secondary and tertiary education. In the public school sector, there are 54 government schools across the region, supported by a number of private schools.

For a comprehensive list of schools in the Goldfields, visit:

• Department of Education
• Private School’s Guide

The region also provides higher education options through TAFE and university facilities. For more information, visit:

• Central Regional TAFE
• Curtin University
• University of Western Australia

Accommodation

The Goldfields offers a range of housing and rental options for those living in the region, with more than half of the population living in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and a quarter of residents living in the Shire of Esperance.

The median house price for the Goldfields region is $330,000 with the overall median weekly rental costing $550 per week (Source: REIWA Market Snapshot; September 2023).

For more information, visit the REIWA website.

There is also a range of short-term accommodation options available throughout the Goldfields including caravan parks, camping grounds, backpackers, hotels, country pubs, motels, self-contained accommodation, bed and breakfasts, wilderness retreats, RV sites and farm stays.

For more information, visit:

• Australia’s Golden Outback
• Local Visitor Centres

Health services

The Goldfields region incorporates a network of public hospital facilities supported by a range of community-based services, including public health, aged care and mental health services; as well as a number of public and private health partners and providers.

The majority of health services are based in the main town centres of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance.

The region is also home to a number of Aboriginal Medical Services that are based in Kalgoorlie, Wiluna, the Ngaanyatjarra region, and the Spinifex Lands to the east of Kalgoorlie, and provide visiting services to smaller communities across the region.