Coolgardie Day 2007

Talk around town these days is that we WA-ians find ourselves in the middle of a resource boom. Exports from the northern ports especially are at record highs and the results are felt in commodity prices all the way back here in Perth.

Still, modern times have nothing on the ripple of excitement and ambition that must have washed over the state back in the late 19th century when a 554 ounce gold nugget turned up in Fly Flat, soon to be the town of Coolgardie.

On Sunday September 16, take a step back 115 years and celebrate the spark that led to WA’s gold rush, in one of the state’s classic mining towns.

Coolgardie will once again come alive with festivities that showcase the town’s amazing mining heritage. Bayley Street will be transformed into a carnival with a large selection of stalls including unique local displays. At 11am the colourful street parade will commence featuring some of the rare vintage cars based in the region. There will be live entertainment all day, demonstrations, rides, food stalls and children’s activities.

While in Coolgardie people can take the opportunity to wander through the Goldfields Exhibition Museum that is housed in the historic and grandiose two storey Wardens Court Building (built 1898). Each room features fascinating displays telling the dramatic and tragic story of life in and around Coolgardie during the Goldrush of the 1890’s.

This is a chance to fall back into the heritage and history of WA, with its joy, tragedy, loneliness and mateship. Apart from the main event, Coolgardie also has many well-respected museums and exhibition centres.

Coolgardie Day 07

Where: Coolgardie
Map: View Map
Date: Sunday September 16, 2007
Cost: Free
Transport information: If you have a car, jump on the Great Eastern Highway and keep going. You could also jump on one of the various buses heading that way from Perth city, or the Prospector train that leaves East Perth and Midland every day (timetable).
Enquiries: ginac@bigpond.net.au or 08 9026 6090