Australia's Golden Outback Holiday Planner 2025

town — population 12 — welcomes the friendly face and character, Willie, a horse that was once lost in the outback and has now made Kookynie home. Rescued by locals and nursed back to health, Willie is now celebrated around town and, like all good residents, he drops into the town’s pub every day for his lunch — quite the experience for newcomers on their GQDT journey. Along the GQDT, natural splendour and historical significance knows no bounds. The picturesque Niagara Dam is the perfect place to settle in for a picnic; while a visit to Leonora’s renowned Gwalia Museum is a heritage haven and echoes of a bygone era. Just a 40-minute drive from Menzies reveals the extraordinary Lake Ballard , a vast salt lake adorned with 51 striking sculptures—silent steel guardians overlooking this serene bush jewel. These destinations are not merely coordinates on a map, but realms of discovery, inviting travellers to immerse in the enduring beauty and heritage of this outback quest. The places you’ll go and the things you’ll see will never leave you. Ultimately, though, all three tours have to come to an end, but once they do your adventure is only just beginning — welcome to Kalgoorlie-Boulder. This unique bush capital is unlike any other city on earth. A place that boasts a, let’s just say, colourful history, here you’ll find a modern, vibrant bolthole that still has echoes of the truly wild west that built it. Indigenous culture regains strength alongside settler history, in a city that was built on overcoming adversity and succeeding against the odds. The Hannans Tourist Mine , tram tour and Super Pit are just the top of the iceberg for highlights relating to the activity that spurred the flow of gold. Those on a tighter schedule can also make Kal their base, and follow one of three day tours or two overnight trips that take in many of the gems the Goldfields has to offer. Each is a delight, an experience, an adventure, and each will make you want to come back for more. The good news? There’s so much here in this big red land that, when you do return, we’ll always have something new to show you.

The Rugged Explorer’s Road Trip

Golden Quest Discovery Trail

Embark on the epic Golden Quest Discovery Trail and return home rich with golden memories and a heart full with heritage. By J OHN BRADSHAW R oad trip. Is there a more evocative phrase? Two words that bring images of blazing through wide open, beautiful country to mind. Adventure. Experience. Making memories that will last a lifetime. How lucky are we then to have one of the world’s most rewarding road trips right here in Western Australia? The Golden Quest Discovery Trail ticks three days up their sleeve, a vehicle, and a yearning to get into Australia’s outback and discover. Any 2WD will do; but a 4WD will enhance the journey and ability to make the most of being out bush. Coolgardie is the point of departure. This charismatic outpost, steeped in history, is a comfortable, friendly stop for travellers; but it once reigned as the third-biggest settlement in WA, and the biggest in the bush. Gold made it boom and it was key in Australia becoming what is today. It’s an apt place to begin a journey that will take eager explorers to

all the boxes that a perfect highway adventure should tick — breathtaking landscapes, a glimpse into enthralling, enlightening and occasionally dark history, and warm hospitality from true blue sandgropers. That sounds like a big ask — we’re talking about a big bit of story-laden bush here — but the GQDT has been proving it’s up to the job since 2003. Since then, tens of thousands of travellers have trusted it to deliver an itinerary to leave them starstruck and have come home richer than they left. All a well-prepared traveller needs to set off on this epic journey, is a minimum

some equally iconic overnight stops. Destinations vary, as it’s up to each traveller to choose their awe-inspiring adventure — Menzies and Laverton are included along the longer trips, while all itineraries include insightful stays at the inspiring Kookynie and Leonora-Gwalia. All these outposts have their own stories to tell, but a favourite among locals and travellers alike has to be Kookynie’s proudest boast. The tiny

16 | Kalgoorlie & The Goldfields | australiasgoldenoutback.com