The Best Day Trips from Kalgoorlie-Boulder

If you’re spending a bit of time in Kalgoorlie-Boulder or thinking of making it home, you’ll be glad to know there’s no shortage of places nearby just waiting to be explored.

In this guide, I’ll share some of the best day trips you can take from Kalgoorlie-Boulder. These spots are all within easy reach (most places are within a couple of hours drive), making it simple to soak up more of what this region has to offer.

So pack a lunch, grab the family, and get ready to see why living in regional WA means you’re never too far from an unforgettable day out!

1. Coolgardie

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 38km | 📍Google Maps

Coolgardie is the perfect destination for a day trip from Kalgoorlie. Just a 30-minute drive west of Kalgoorlie along the main highway to Perth, this historic town is easy to reach and packed with charm. Known as the birthplace of the WA Gold Rush, it’s packed with stories, stunning views, and fascinating attractions.

Highlights of Coolgardie

• Warden Finnerty’s Residence: Step into the 1890s at this beautifully restored home with antique furnishings and chinaware. Don’t forget to call ahead for a Devonshire Tea on the veranda.
• Goldfields Exhibition Museum: Explore the grand former Warden’s Court Building and its incredible displays of Gold Rush artifacts, Aboriginal heritage, and a one-of-a-kind antique bottle collection.
• Lion’s Lookout: Enjoy sweeping views and see the original headframe from Bailey’s Reward gold mine.
• Ben Prior Park: This free open-air museum is packed with mining relics and quirky statues handcrafted by local legend Ben Prior.
• Coolgardie Gorge: A peaceful picnic spot just southeast of town with shady gum trees and plenty of wildlife.

Coolgardie is especially lively during Coolgardie Day in September and the Coolgardie Rodeo in August. It’s a great chance to experience the town’s community spirit and do something a little different.

Personal Tip: Coolgardie’s Denver City Hotel is the only pub in town, so swing by for a drink and a chat with the locals. If you’re visiting with kids, the skate park, swimming pool (in summer), and local playground are all worth stopping at. For food, pack a picnic before you leave Kalgoorlie, or stop by Moran’s IGA to grab supplies before heading to the park.

Want more details on all the amazing things to do in Coolgardie? Check out our full guide here.

2. Kambalda

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 57km | 📍Google Maps

Only 57 km from Kalgoorlie, Kambalda is an easy 45-minute drive and a fantastic spot for a day trip.

Highlights of Kambalda

• Red Hill Lookout: Take the short walking trail to the summit for sweeping views of Lake Lefroy, a shimmering white salt lake that’s one of the region’s most striking landscapes.
• Lake Lefroy: This massive salt pan is world-renowned for land sailing. Watch skilled sailors reach incredible speeds, or hire a land yacht and book a lesson to try it yourself.
• Kambalda Memorial Garden: A peaceful tribute to the miners who shaped the town’s history, this garden is a lovely spot to pause and reflect.
• Kambalda Herbarium: Flora enthusiasts will love exploring the largest collection of regional plants displayed in the Goldfields.
• Camping and Stargazing: Set up camp at nearby reserves or conservation parks for a night under the outback’s brilliant starry sky.

For families, the recreation center in Kambalda West offers free use of the indoor basketball courts (year round) and pool (during summer), and this is conveniently located next to the skatepark and a really nice kids playground.

Personal Tip: For a sit-down meal, head to the Kambalda Hotel, which serves food daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and boasts a huge kids’ play zone.

Want more inspiration? Check out our full guide to things to do in Kambalda.

3. Menzies

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 131km | 📍Google Maps

Located 131 km north of Kalgoorlie, Menzies is an easy 90-minute drive and a great spot to stretch your legs before heading to iconic destinations like Lake Ballard, Kookynie, or Niagara Dam. This small town offers a glimpse into the rich history of WA’s Goldfields, with several fascinating landmarks to explore.

Highlights of Menzies

• Menzies Town Hall and Shire Office: Built in 1896 and expanded in 1900, this historic building is a stunning example of Gold Rush-era architecture. The original sections have been carefully restored, making it a must-see for history buffs.
• The Clock Tower: The clock tower’s folklore adds an interesting twist to its history. Though a clock was originally lost at sea in 1905, the tower finally got its timepiece in 2000, to celebrate the new millenium
• Menzies Hotel: This iconic building serves as both a hotel and a grocery store. If you’re planning to eat or stay overnight, make sure to call ahead and confirm availability.

Personal Tip: The flies are super friendly here, so make sure you have insect repellant or a fly net. Dining options are very limited, so bring food from Kalgoorlie.

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4. Lake Ballard

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 207km | 📍Google Maps

Approximately two hours north of Kalgoorlie lies Lake Ballard, an ephemeral salt lake renowned for hosting the world’s largest outdoor art gallery.

In 2003, British artist Antony Gormley installed 51 steel sculptures across the lake’s surface, each representing a resident from the nearby town of Menzies. These statues, spread over 10 square kilometers, create a surreal and captivating landscape.

Visitors can explore the lake on foot, discovering each unique figure against the stark white salt flats. The site is particularly enchanting at sunrise and sunset, when the changing light casts dramatic shadows and highlights the lake’s expansive beauty.

Personal Tip: Remember to bring food from Kalgoorlie, comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen, a flynet and insect repellant, plenty of water and your camera!

The best time to visit is from April to October when the weather is milder. A trip to Lake Ballard takes a full day from Kalgoorlie, so plan accordingly.

5. Kookynie

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 198km | 📍Google Maps

Located 198 km northeast of Kalgoorlie, Kookynie is an easy two-hour drive and affectionately known as a “Living Ghost Town.”

Once a booming gold rush town with over 3,500 residents, 11 hotels, a brewery, two soft drink manufacturers, and even the first public swimming bath in the Goldfields. Today, while the population is fewer than 20, it is slowly growing, and the town’s rich history lives on.

Highlights of Kookynie

The Grand Hotel: Built during the gold rush boom, this historic pub remains the heart of Kookynie. Enjoy a hearty meal, cold drink, and a look at its impressive collection of vintage photographs, antique bottles, and mining memorabilia, (phone ahead to confirm if they are cooking meals).

Heritage Signage: Stroll along Cumberland and Champion Streets to explore interpretive signage that shares the stories of Kookynie’s past. Former residents’ recollections and historical photos bring the ghost town’s vibrant history to life.

The Old Miner’s Cottage: Step back in time at this preserved timber and iron home, the last of its kind from the early 1900s.

Personal Tip: Just 20km from Kookynie is Niagara Dam, which you can easily see on the same day.

6. Leonora/Gwalia Ghost Town

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 236km | 📍Google Maps

Located 236km north of Kalgoorlie, Leonora (and the nearby Gwalia Ghost Town) is an easy 2.5 hour drive along sealed roads. This historic town was established in the late 1800s as miners, prospectors, and pastoralists flocked to the area. Today, its wide main street is still lit by kerosene lamps, with many original buildings from the early 1900s remaining in use, including its hotels, post office, courthouse, and fire station.

Highlights of Leonora

Gwalia Ghost Town and Museum: Just a short drive from Leonora, Gwalia is a beautifully preserved ghost town that provides an awe-inspiring glimpse into life during the gold rush. Walk through 20 original miners’ cottages, visit the Gwalia Historical Museum, and tour Hoover House, the former residence of Herbert Hoover, who worked as a mining engineer here before becoming the 31st President of the United States – allow plenty of time to look around here.

Leonora Heritage Trail: Start your journey at the Leonora Information Centre & Library, and follow the markers along Tower and Gwalia Streets. The trail paints a vivid picture of life during the town’s heyday, which you can read more about here.

Restored Miners’ Cottages: These historic homes were lovingly restored by volunteers in the 1990s, preserving their original materials. Each cottage tells its own story, some reflecting life as it might have been in the past, while others are styled as though families have just walked out.

Scenic Drives: Take the Agnew Loop Drive or the Darlot Loop Drive for stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and insight into the area’s pastoral and mining history.

7. Niagara Dam

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 192km | 📍Google Maps

Built in 1898 to supply water for the Kalgoorlie-to-Menzies railway, Niagara Dams’ construction was a feat of ingenuity, involving camel trains to transport cement all the way from Coolgardie. Ironically, the dam was rendered obsolete when plentiful groundwater was discovered nearby in Kookynie, just years later.

Today, it makes a scenic stop-off for outback adventurers. Stop for a picnic and a leisurely stroll or dip, or set up camp for the night. If you’re planning a visit, consider spending a few hours at the dam for a refreshing dip (depending on the water level, of course) before heading to Kookynie.

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8. Kunanalling

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 61km | 📍Google Maps

Kunanalling, once a bustling goldfields town, is now an abandoned site rich with stories from WA’s mining heyday, and some very beautiful scenery along the way. Located 25 miles from Coolgardie, it was first referred to as “25 Mile” before being officially gazetted as Kunanalling in 1896. The town’s rise was tied to the Premier Mine, a rich gold source that produced over 34,000 ounces by 1900.

At its peak, Kunanalling boasted three hotels, shops, government buildings, and even electricity in its iconic Premier Hotel – one of the first establishments in the Goldfields to be powered. Today, the Premier Hotel’s ruins stand as a testament to the town’s former glory. Visitors can imagine the lively days when “Gran” Kelly served hearty counter meals and homemade ice cream, an unheard-of treat in the outback.

Though the town was abandoned in 1942, Kunanalling remains a fascinating stop for those exploring Goldfields history. Combine your visit with nearby landmarks Rowles Lagoon, Ora Banda, and Broad Arrow, where the Broad Arrow Tavern continues to serve travelers on their way back to Kalgoorlie.

9. Rowles Lagoon

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 96km | 📍Google Maps

Located about 70 kilometers north of Coolgardie, Rowles Lagoon is a semi-permanent lagoon transforms dramatically with the seasons – completely drying out during droughts but overflowing with life after heavy rains.

When the water is high, Rowles Lagoon is perfect for swimming, canoeing, or simply relaxing by the shoreline. Motorized vessels and water skiing aren’t allowed, preserving the peaceful environment for visitors and the abundant wildlife. With 41 species of waterbirds recorded, including the rare and protected freckled duck, birdwatching is a highlight here.

The shady campground provides an inviting spot to stay overnight, with picnic shelters, tables, toilets, and fire rings (in season). There are no camping fees, but visitors should bring their own firewood and check for any alerts or closures before heading out.

10. Ora Banda

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 66km | 📍Google Maps

Ora Banda, located 66 kilometers northwest of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, is a fascinating ghost town steeped in gold rush history and intriguing stories. Gold was first discovered here in 1893 by George See, Cashman, and Pope, followed by the Weston brothers, who named the Ora Banda Mine—likely derived from the Spanish phrase “banda de oro,” meaning “band of gold.” The town’s site later shifted slightly in 1907 to a promising new discovery known as Gimlet.

At its height, Ora Banda was home to 2,000 residents, complete with stores, butcher shops, churches, billiard saloons, and the iconic Ora Banda Hotel, built in 1911. The town was officially gazetted in 1912, and the following year, a five-head State Battery opened to crush locally mined ore, running three shifts daily to keep up with production.

While much of the town has faded, the Ora Banda Historical Inn stands as a testament to its past, rafter surviving a storied history of fires and infamous events. It has recently been purchased and is meant to be getting fixed and rebuilt, and will hopefully open again soon.

11. Broad Arrow

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 39km | 📍Google Maps

Broad Arrow is a historic ghost town located 38 kilometers north of Kalgoorlie on the road to Leonora. Gazetted in 1896, it thrived during the gold rush, with a bustling population of 15,000. The town boasted eight hotels, two breweries, a soft drink factory, a hospital, and even a stock exchange. By the mid-1920s, the gold rush had dwindled, and Broad Arrow was largely abandoned.

Pretty much the only thing left in Broad Arrow, is the Broad Arrow Tavern, built in 1896. This famous outback pub serves hearty meals and cold drinks, and is famous for its walls covered in graffiti. Can highly recommend a stop here, if you’re driving past.

12. Kanowna Ghost Town and Kanowna Belle Mine

🌏DISTANCE FROM KALGOORLIE: 22km | 📍Google Maps

Once a thriving Goldfields community, Kanowna was home to 12,500 people at the height of its prosperity in the late 19th century. Originally named White Feather, the town was gazetted in 1894 and later renamed Kanowna, a name thought to derive from the local Wangkathaa word “gha-na-na,” meaning “place of no sleep.” During its heyday, Kanowna boasted 16 hotels, two breweries, a hospital, shops, and an hourly train service to Kalgoorlie.

Kanowna’s history is peppered with colorful tales, none more famous than the hoax of the “Sacred Slug.” In 1898, a local priest was fooled into believing a 45kg gold nugget had been discovered, sparking a frenzy as more than 1,000 hopeful diggers rushed to claim the nonexistent treasure. Despite such excitement, the town’s rich alluvial gold reserves began to dwindle by the turn of the century.

By the mid-20th century, Kanowna was abandoned, with its railway station closing in the 1930s and the last hotel shuttering in 1952. Today, visitors can explore the remnants of this once-bustling town, including the railway platform, cemeteries, and historic mine workings.

Mining resumed in the area in 1986, and the Kanowna Belle Gold Mine remains operational. A viewing platform allows visitors to observe the ongoing mining operations, offering a glimpse into how the Goldfields’ legacy continues to this day.

Wrapping Up: Day Trips From Kalgoorlie-Boulder

From the ghost towns of Kookynie and Kanowna to the beauty of Rowles Lagoon, there’s so much to uncover on these unforgettable day trips from Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Start planning your next day trip today—there’s a world of history and adventure waiting just beyond Kalgoorlie!