Coolgardie
WA 6429 • Western Australia
About Coolgardie
Coolgardie is a historic gold rush town in the Western Australian goldfields, located approximately 558 km east of Perth and 38 km southwest of Kalgoorlie. With a population of around 773 residents, it was once the third largest town in the Western Australian colony, boasting an estimated 15,000 residents at its 1890s peak when it served as the epicentre of a major gold rush. The town was founded in 1892 following the discovery of gold by prospectors Arthur Bayley and William Ford, and the Municipality of Coolgardie was formally established in 1894. Today it falls within the Shire of Coolgardie.
Coolgardie is now primarily known as a heritage tourist destination and working-class mining support town, with well-preserved Victorian-era streetscapes, historic hotels, and the Goldfields Exhibition Museum attracting visitors from across the country. The town famously yielded the world's second-largest gold nugget in 1995. Mining remains an important part of the local economy, with the broader Kalgoorlie-Boulder goldfields region driving employment. Residents enjoy a tight-knit outback community atmosphere, with Kalgoorlie's full range of urban services just 38 km away. The town is served by the Great Eastern Highway and the Kalgoorlie railway line.
Coolgardie falls under postcode 6429 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Kalgoorlie (Mining and Pastoral) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- Transwa GE1 — Perth / Kalgoorlie Kalgoorlie ~35 min, Perth ~8 hrs
Commute to Perth CBD
🛣️ Long-distance commuting to Perth is not practical. Kalgoorlie is the main regional hub 38 km away.
The small town centre has limited walkable services. A car is needed for most trips beyond the historic main street.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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85-93 Lindsay Street
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46 Shaw Street