Kalgoorlie is one of the most famous city names in Western Australia outside of Perth, made famous by its goldmines and the settlements which followed. Kalgoorlie-Boulder, is the location of the renowned 'Super Pit', and along with Central Kalgoorlie, this is the commercial and residential centre of the city. Central has more in terms of modern amenities, whereas Boulder has the historical heritage of the city. Car hire in Kalgoorlie is popular due to attractions lying just outside the city centre such as the ghost towns of Broad Arrow. Hiring a car in Kalgoorlie is available from the airport and the Downtown area of the city.
Kalgoorlie is known largely for the Super Pit. The Super Pit has, over time, bored a gigantic hole in the earth and standing on the viewing platform makes for an astounding spectacle. Hiring a car in Kalgoorlie is recommended as you can visit the ghost towns which sprung up and faded away after the initial gold rush. Rent a car in Kalgoorlie and the hauntingly desolate Broad Arrow is a short drive up the Goldfields Highway; the ghost town of Kanowna is a 25 minute drive directly up the Yarri Road. The Western Australian Museum is a good place to complete your Kalgoorlie education.
There's no better place to get your bearings in Kalgoorlie than the Mount Charlotte Lookout, a short drive north of the town providing city-wide panoramas. Kalgoorlie is surrounded by parkland and lakes, and two hours north of the city you'll find Lake Ballard where the dramatic salt plains are home to Antony Gormley's haunting 'Inside Australia' sculptures - comprising steel figures looking out strikingly across the endless flats - bleak and beautiful. If you want to experience some real outback desolation you should make the dramatic journey on the seemingly endless Eyre Highway - Australia's Route 66 is the perfect location for a Western Australia road trip.
