Heady Start

On September 17, 1892 Arthur Bayley rode into Southern Cross and deposited with the Mining Warden 554 ounces of gold that he and his partner William Ford, had found at an area called Fly Flat, 120 miles to the east.

Within hours the frenzied rush to Coolgardie began and with it the greatest movement of people in Australia’s history.

Brutal Conditions

While the lucky found gold and fortune, many more only found hardship, sickness and death. The booming settlement suffered with inadequate housing, food, medical supplies and water became more precious and expensive than gold itself!

Despite this, within the decade Coolgardie became the third largest town in Western Australia, with a population of over 16,000 with many more in the surrounding areas.

Changing Times

While the surface gold ran out and the original mine, Bayley's Reward, closed in 1963, Coolgardie has retained many of its magnificent buildings associated with its rich and colourful past, and offers many attractions and sights.

Today it offers tourists a fabulous heritage precinct and is the perfect place to set out on your own outback adventure!