Rich in history, dripping with charisma
Set off on an adventure along the Golden Quest Discovery Trail to discover the unique prospecting heritage of the Goldfields. Learn about times gone by and the early pioneers of the gold rush era and their discoveries while meeting local outback characters, discovering ghost towns, visiting charming pubs, exploring wide open spaces, incredible starry night skies, and so much more. Get back to nature and explore the red, rugged earth of the Goldfields region like you’ve never seen it before along this historic 965km self-drive adventure.
This bucket-list journey takes you through 25 interpretive sites where you’ll learn the history and significance of each location along the way.
From ghost towns to massive outdoor art installations - taking you on a loop from Coolgardie to Laverton and back, passing exquisite gold rush era towns and finishing in one of Australia’s greatest outback cities, Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
The Golden Quest Discovery Trail Itinerary
Check out our full itinerary, including accommodation options, food and drink recommendations, what you’ll see along the way and travel distances, so you can further plan your travels and get ready to set out on this epic adventure. The self-drive can be done in 3, 4 or 5 days depending on how many sites you want to visit, but of course we recommend seeing them all!
Outback Tours
Goldrush Tours
Goldrush Tours commenced operation in 1973 and over the past four decades has grown to become a large privately owned luxury coach company in Western…
Hannans North Tourist Mine
Come and experience Kalgoorlie's largest open-air museum, where you will experience a vibrant mix of gold rush history and modern-day mining. Take…
Museum of the Goldfields
Museum of the Goldfields in Kalgoorlie/Karlkurla offers an immersive journey into the heart of Western Australia's gold rush era. The museum presents…
Accommodation
The View On Hannans
In the heart of Kalgoorlie, experience the best in self-contained, hotel and motel accommodation in the Goldfields. The View On Hannans is the ideal…
Allora House Kalgoorlie
Immerse yourself in the charm of historic Kalgoorlie: Welcome to Allora, a delightful and iconic house where the past meets comfort. The rooms are…
Rydges Kalgoorlie Resort and Spa
Rydges Kalgoorlie Resort and Spa is conveniently located close to the Kalgoorlie town centre in the heart of the historic Western Australian…
Hospitality Kalgoorlie, SureStay Collection by Best Western
After a day of exploring the local attractions and superb sites in Kalgoorlie, why not kick back and relax at Hospitality Kalgoorlie? Ideally located…
Quality Inn Railway Motel
The Railway Motel prides itself on offering quality facilities with service to match. They are located 650 metres from Kalgoorlie's central business…
The Plaza Hotel Kalgoorlie
The Plaza Hotel is a premium hotel with a boutique approach, embracing classic hotel values of rest, comfort and enjoyment.The Plaza Hotel is the…
Acclaim Prospector Holiday Park
Prospector Holiday Park in Kalgoorlie is conveniently located at the centre of the action, on the corner of the Great Eastern Highway. The…
What to See & Do
Hannans North Tourist Mine
Come and experience Kalgoorlie's largest open-air museum, where you will experience a vibrant mix of gold rush history and modern-day mining. Take…
Hoover House
Historic Hoover House was once home to Herbert Hoover, who went on to become the thirty-first president of the United States of America. Today it’s a…
Museum of the Goldfields
Museum of the Goldfields in Kalgoorlie/Karlkurla offers an immersive journey into the heart of Western Australia's gold rush era. The museum presents…
Lake Ballard
The white salt plain of Lake Ballard creates a dramatic setting for the largest outdoor art gallery on Earth. This extraordinary natural landscape…
Explore the Hall of Fame in Laverton
Laverton's Explorer's Hall of Fame is not just a visitor centre, it’s a museum to learn the history and heritage of the area, as well as a café to…
Natural Gold Nuggets and Jewellery
Natural Gold Nuggets and Jewellery (NGNJ) is Western Australia's premier trader in high-purity, ethically sourced natural gold nuggets. NGNJ's…
Laverton Aboriginal Art Gallery
The Laverton Aboriginal Art Gallery is a not-for-profit organisation established to display, promote and sell authentic Aboriginal art on behalf of…
Gold Panning In WA
Strike gold on your own terms; Australia's Golden Outback has plenty of lucky spots to seek gold. Follow our guide on where to go gold panning in WA…
Gold prospecting and fossicking
Gold prospecting and fossicking opportunities in Australia’s Golden Outback draw people from far and wide.
Kookynie
Kookynie attracts people for miles around because of its unique character. It is virtually a ghost town, but Australian and overseas tourists just…
Rowles Lagoon Campground
Located approximately 70 kilometres north of Coolgardie, Rowles Lagoon is a set of semi-permanent lakes measuring almost two-kilometres across,…
Niagara Dam
An oasis in the wilderness of the northern Goldfields, Niagara Dam is a top rest stop on the Golden Quest Discovery Trail - perfect for a picnic, a…
Inside Australia - Antony Gormley Sculptures
Enter the largest outdoor art gallery on Earth - the Inside Australia exhibit created by world-renowned artist Antony Gormley. Here, stretching…
Super Pit Lookout
Stand beside Kalgoorlie's Super Pit and gaze open-mouthed into one of the largest open-cut mines on Earth and the biggest gold mine in Australia.…
Signpost Racing Museum
This is the perfect place to research local horse racing history. The Museum began after the Palace Hotel was renovated and a diverse collection of…
Kookynie Ruins
Kookynie Ruins - in 1903 Kookynie was a thriving Goldfields township with more than 400 buildings and approximately 2,500 people. Today, with its…
Gwalia Historical Museum
The Gwalia Historical Museum is located in the old mine offices of the original Sons of Gwalia Gold Mine. It is well worth a visit before wandering…
Prospecting on The Golden Quest Discovery Trail
With the gold price hitting new highs ($1,720 USD per ounce as at March 2021), and the recent popularity of the Discovery channel show Aussie Gold…
Trail Towns
Coolgardie & Kambalda
Coolgardie is world-famous for two major events in Western Australia’s mining history. It’s the birthplace of the great gold rush of 1892 and the…
Menzies
Menzies is small historic mining town north of Kalgoorlie in the Western Australian Goldfields. To the west, theAntony Gormley Sculptures stand…
Laverton
Laverton, with over 100 years of fascinating gold rush history, is the starting point of the Outback Way which links Kalgoorlie and the Northern…
Leonora & Gwalia
A real gem from the gold mining era is Gwalia Museum, one of the most fascinating places in the Western Australian Northern Goldfields.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, or Kalgoorlie as it is more commonly known, is the hub of the Western Australian Goldfields and the largest city in the…
GOLDEN QUEST DISCOVERY TRAIL APP & GUIDEBOOK
Download the Free Golden Quest Discovery Trail app and be guided through some of the historic and remote regions of the Western Australian Goldfields. The app is functional off-line allowing you to use it while you're out on the road. It features real time GPS to show where you are on the trail, notes describing the road journey between each site, stories at each site, services available along the way and so much more.
If you prefer a hard copy, the The Golden Quest Discovery Trail Guidebook is available to purchase as your own official guide, enhancing your trail adventure. The guide is available via e-book, audio tracks, and hardcopy.
Plan your Adventure
So now you're inspired, but you want even more detailed information about the many sights to see, then towns you'll stop at, best times to visit, road conditions and the fascinating history behind it all. Head to the website dedicated to providing all the information you need for a fantastic adventure in the Goldfields.
Get Inspired
How to spend 3 days in Kalgoorlie
With its deep gold rush history, and continuing status as a service hub for local mining, there are many engaging ways for visitors to discover this…
How to spend a day in Laverton
Welcome to Laverton, a town perched on the edge of the Great Victoria Desert, brimming with gold mining history, Indigenous cultures, and a…
How to Spend 2 Days in Leonora
In the northern Goldfields of WA, Leonora is a regional tourism town that oozes heritage char,. For those exploring the Golden Quest Discovery Trail,…
How to Spend 48 hours in Menzies
Get ready to be surprised by Menzies on this two-day itinerary. Discover rich goldrush history, Indigenous culture, a world-famous art installation…
Top Walking Trails in Kalgoorlie
Stretch your legs through Kalgoorlie’s fascinating history and culture on these self-guided trails, and tap into the heart of modern-day Kalgoorlie.
7 amazing things to do in Kalgoorlie Boulder with kids
Kalgoorlie is an amazing place to holiday with kids. There's so much to see and do, from mining attractions and tours to parks and even waterslides!…
Kalgoorlie Beyond the Mining
While mining remains the most economically important industry in Kalgoorlie, visitors to the region will soon discover that there’s more to the town…
Prospecting on The Golden Quest Discovery Trail
With the gold price hitting new highs ($1,720 USD per ounce as at March 2021), and the recent popularity of the Discovery channel show Aussie Gold…
Everything you need to know about Lake Ballard
Western Australia is blessed to have such an incredible, unique landscape, like white sandy beaches, waterfalls, and red outback deserts. The state…
Things to do in Menzies in 1 and 2 Days
Menzies, situated 130km north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the Northern Goldfields was once a bustling town during the height of the late 1800s gold rush…
Top 14 things to do in the Goldfields
The Goldfields has so much to offer – from historic goldrush tales to a vibrant arts scene. We’ve rounded up the top 14 things to do so you don’t…
Everything you need to know about Gwalia
The living ghost town of Gwalia is the doorway to a unique experience of Western Australia’s rich mining history.
9 family friendly things to do along the Golden Quest Discovery Trail
This 3 day adventure takes you through Kalgoorlie Boulder and Coolgardie, through the outback to Menzies, Leonora and Laverton - plus a host of other…
Top Tips for visiting Gwalia Ghost Town
Back in 1896, the frenzied rush for gold built Gwalia. Remaining as a living museum, waiting for explorers, try these top tips for your Gwalia ghost…
How to Spend 48 Hours in Coolgardie
Australia’s biggest goldrush began in Coolgardie, and the town played a pivotal role in the nation’s history. Take at least two days to absorb the…
Hoover House, the legacy of a US President
Historic Hoover House was once home to Herbert Hoover, who went on to become the thirty-first president of the United States of America. Today it’s a…
Your Guide to Lake Ballard
Discover 'Inside Australia', an art installation consisting of 51 carbonised steel sculptures depicting life-sized human-like figures by British…
The legacy of Warden Finnerty
Set high on a hill overlooking the town of Coolgardie is the stately home of Warden Finnerty. John Michael Finnerty was the first resident…
Laverton – Your Gateway to Adventure
Laverton is a gateway to adventure, with four-wheel-drive tracks leading out of it like bicycle spokes. Advice, guide books and permits can be…
7 amazing things on the Golden Quest Discovery Trail
On this road trip, see some of Australia's most exquisite architecture, incredible history, a wonderful pub scene and more.
The Golden Quest - A Road Trip like no other
The Golden Quest Discovery Trail ticks all the boxes that a perfect road trip adventure should tick – breath-taking landscapes, a glimpse into…
Top walking trails of Menzies
In and around Menzies, there are plenty of sights you just can’t see from a behind the wheel. Step outside for a bushwalk or even a short stroll, and…
Top Trails of Coolgardie
Rich in gold rush history and vast, semi-arid landscapes, Coolgardie is a fascinating town to explore. Whether on foot or in your own vehicle, follow…