Golden Outback Regional Guide

Historic buildings, lively pubs, Australia’s whitest beaches and self-drive trails is just the beginning of the Golden Outback Region.

REGION OVERVIEW

This vibrant region has the best of both worlds – inland are historic buildings, lively pubs, and mining towns scattered across an outback setting; on the coast, there are the whitest beaches in the country (it's even been scientifically proven) and the rugged Nullarbor Plain. There are self-drive trails, outback races, and snorkelling and diving off the beaches. The Golden Outback is fast becoming a holiday dream, old-time architecture merging with an expanding retail and hospitality sector while still retaining local charm.

Top things to do

• Head out on a self-drive route
• Take a tour of the Super Pit
• Have a bet at the races
• See the kangaroos at Lucky Bay
• Have a beer in an outback pub
• Fish off the Hopetoun Jetty
• Go prospecting for gold
• Get a photo at Wave Rock
• Play a round of outback golf

All these things to do and more at www.scoop.com.au/goldenoutback

Goldfields

The Goldfields Region covers nearly one-third of Western Australia. Extending eastwards from the edge of the Wheatbelt through to the mulga woodlands of the Nullarbor Plain and the Gibson and Great Victoria deserts, it is a region of stunning landscapes and surprising history. Climb spectacular granite outcrops, hear outback tales in historic pubs in country towns, and tour Australia's largest open-pit gold mine, just minutes from the bustling city of Kalgoorlie. Excursions off the tourist track will reward you with disused railway lines, drover trails, abandoned mining sites, hidden Indigenous rock art and the final resting places of pioneers. Small sand-green golf courses are dotted throughout the region, as are world-class layouts and – for the ultimate game – the Nullarbor Links, the world's longest golf course. Accommodation options are varied and include everything from luxury hotels in Kalgoorlie, farm and station stays, and historic B&Bs, through to the many caravan and camping sites. For those discovering the region in a campervan, look for the RV Friendly Town signs. These towns provide amenities and services for the mobile-home traveller.

Esperance to Hopetoun

From Esperance to Hopetoun, the perfect white beaches, granite-strewn bays, dazzling turquoise water and island-dotted horizon are hard to beat. And that's official – after careful scientific measurement, Lucky Bay was recognised by a national body as Australia's whitest beach. The sand is so fine it squeaks when you walk on it. Esperance, the region's main hub, has all the big-city services and conveniences set against a natural headland of indescribable beauty. There's a range of accommodation options and there are big-ticket tourist attractions – spectacular whale-watching from June to September, the 105 offshore islands of
the Recherche Archipelago to tour, and a wildflower season regarded as the best
in the state. If you're looking for a small-town vibe, Hopetoun, two-and-a-half hours west of Esperance, offers just that. There are numerous beaches, and reef that's great for swimming and snorkelling. Dolphins regularly frequent the shores, and fishing from the jetty at sunset is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. There's a small but well-serviced range of accommodation, as well as a pub, bakery, gift shop, two restaurants, and a new tavern/restaurant just 2km out of town. In this region, it's the small discoveries that will make your day; arriving at a picture-perfect and completely deserted cove, sharing a beach with a family of kangaroos, or relaxing in front of an open fire at a beachside bed and breakfast.

Wheatbelt

The Wheatbelt – beginning just three hours from Perth – is one of the biggest farming regions in the state, made up of more than 200 towns and communities. Agriculture aside, there's plenty for visitors to see and do. In Wagin, there's The Giant Ram (be sure to take a cheesy pic) while other highlights include the bush races, outback pubs, museums (most towns have their own) and farm stays. Wave Rock – around 15m tall and 100m long – is closest to Hyden; a visit here is mandatory, as is taking a photo of the kids riding the wave. Despite the seemingly arid landscape, the Wheatbelt is a teeming with wildlife (echidnas, malleefowl, brushtail possums, owls) that can be spotted in the numerous national parks, and on the many self-drive routes that weave across the landscape.

Golden Outback flora.

NATIONAL PARKS

Burra Rock Conservation Park, free (08) 9219 9000 Goldfields Woodlands National Park, $12 per car (08) 9080 5555 Goongarrie National Park, $12 per car (08) 9080 5555 Jaurdie Conservation Reserve, free (08) 9219 9000 Rowles Lagoon Conservation Park, free (08) 9219 9000 Boyagin Nature Reserve, free (08) 9642 1316 Toolibin Nature Reserve, free (08) 9219 9000 Wongan Hills Nature Reserve, free (08) 9671 1011 Dryandra Woodland, $12 per car (08) 9881 9222 Korrelocking Nature Reserve, free (08) 9219 9000 Sandford Rocks Nature Reserve, free (08) 9219 9000 Kokerbin Nature Reserve, free (08) 9041 6000 Mt Augustus National Park, $12 per car (08) 9219 9000 Kennedy Range National Park, free (08) 9219 9000 Credo Conservation Park, Kennedy Range National Park, free (08) 9219 9000; Kalgoorlie Arboretum, free (08) 9080 5555 Lake Mason Conservation Park, free (08) 9219 9000 Boorabin National Park, $12 per car (08) 9219 9000 Stokes National Park, $12 per car (08) 9083 2100 Fitzgerald River National Park, $12 per car (08) 9838 1967 Cape Le Grand National Park, $12 per car (08) 9083 2100 Cape Arid National Park, $12 per car (08) 9083 2100 Peak Charles National Park, $12 per car (08) 9083 2100 Woody Island Nature Reserve, free (08) 9083 2100 Nuytsland Nature Reserve, free (08) 9083 2100 Eucla National Park, free (08) 9219 9000 Frank Hann National Park, free (08) 9219 9000.

VISITOR/ TOURIST CENTRES

Central Wheatbelt (08) 9041 1668 Drynandra (08) 9881 2064 Esperance (08) 9083 1555 Kalgoorlie Boulder (08) 9021 1966 Leonora (08) 9037 7016 Norseman (08) 9039 1071 Wongan Hills (08) 9671 1973 Coolgardie (08) 9026 6090 Wave Rock (08) 9880 5022 Wagin (08) 9861 1232 Kambalda (08) 9080 2115 Morawa (08) 9971 1421 Wandering (08) 9884 1056 Mount Magnet (08) 9963 4172 Koorda (08) 9684 1219 Menzies (08) 9024 2702 Beacon (08) 9686 1014 Bencubbin (08) 9685 1007 Bruce Rock (08) 9061 1687 Corrigin (08) 9063 2778 Dowerin (08) 9631 1662 Kelleberrin (08) 9045 4991 Kondinin (08) 9889 1006 Kulin (08) 9880 1021 Lake Grace (08) 9865 2140 Mukinbudin (08) 9047 1102 Narembeen (08) 9064 7055 Nungarin (08) 9046 5400 Quairading (08) 9645 1001 Southern Cross (08) 9049 1001 Tammin (08) 9637 1101 Trayning (08) 9683 1001 Westonia (08) 9046 7063 Wyalkatchem (08) 9681 1500 Great Beyond/Laverton (08) 9031 1361 Hopetoun (08) 9838 3062 Ravensthorpe (08) 9838 1277.