Leinster 05:01 AM Fri 18 May, 2012 Today's Forecast Max: 23°C. Shower or two, thunderstorm risk.

Listing

Golden Quest Discovery Trail

The Golden Quest Discovery Drive Trail runs 965 kilometres through Western Australia's Goldfields from Coolgardie through to Laverton. This moderate Top Trail is a true adventure drive which commences approximately seven hours drive east of Perth and travels to 25 interpreted sites highlighting the 1890s gold rush region, classic pubs, outback ghost towns and changing natural landscapes including nature reserves and campsites.

Be surprised by Niagara Dam, a man made lake built for water supply and now a pleasant spot for a picnic or overnight camp. Tour the old prosperous town of Kookynie, which has a pub well worth the stop as well as old camps in the town of Gwalia, near Leonora, where the 31st United States President, Herbert Hoover, lived and worked. Gwalia, now a ghost town, has a fascinating museum and historical house.

Visit Lake Ballard, a vast salt lake where 51 sculptured metal `people' stand scattered over the landscape.

Be amazed by the Explorers Hall of Fame in Laverton which retraces the journeys of the early pioneers such as Lord John Forrest, Tommy Windich and Leichhardt.

A definite advantage if considering the self-drive adventure is the comprehensive Golden Quest Discovery Trail Guidebook and two audio CD's.

More Info
Location

Children Catered For	Guidebook and audio CD's suitable and educating for upper primary and secondary school. Interactive Explorers Hall of Fame in Laverton, exploring the old miners camp/ghost town in Gwalia and walk trails that link to the trail sites such as Niagara Dam, good for children.
Directions	The trail commences in Coolgardie, and finishes in Kalgoorlie, with access anywhere along the trail. From Perth, via the Great Eastern Highway, the journey to Coolgardie takes approximately seven hours by car, a distance of just under 560 kilometres. Information is available from the Kalgoorlie Visitor Centre in Kalgoorlie (phone 08 9021 1966).
More Information	Specific interests of the trail include the historic gold mining towns, ghost towns, rejuvenated gold mines, gimlet and sandalwood woodland, salt and fresh water lakes, birds, kangaroos, emus, cattle, views from the Lake Ballard lookout and the Lake Ballard sculptures. The Golden Quest Discovery Trail Guide book is a comprehensive guide book, complete with audio accompaniment that aids planning you journey with directions, history of the area, interesting facts and stories. It can be purchased from the website. As the Goldfields region is renowned for its fine weather and beautiful blue skies, you can undertake the Discovery Trail at any time of the year. Like most of Australia's semi-arid regions, the summers are long and hot, while the winters are mild and dry. Whatever the season, temperatures can drop below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit), so bring some warm clothing. Average annual rainfall is less than 300 millimetres, with occasional thunderstorms in summer.
Trail Tips	This trail is a multiple day self drive trail over bitumen and unsealed roads and takes approximately three to four days to complete. Approximately 525 kilometres of the 965 kilometre trail is on unsealed roads so extra caution is advised and depending on weather, only passable in a four wheel drive. Conditions along the trail can vary and prior to departure, travellers should familiarise themselves with prevailing conditions (phone 08 9080 1400). Vehicles should be suitable and well prepared (with enough fuel to last 500 kilometres if journey on the unsealed western leg of the trail between Leonora and Coolgardie). Extra supplies of fuel, water and a comprehensive selection of spares and tools should be carried. Food, fuel and accommodation are available at stops and businesses along the trail at the five population centres.