The Ultimate Lad’s Getaway: Red Dirt Road Trip to Kalgoorlie

Want to plan a road trip that is something a little different? Then a lad’s road trip to Kalgoorlie could be just the ticket!

Are you looking for the perfect bloke’s escape?

Are you planning your mate’s Bucks Night and want something a little different? Keen to hit the golf course in the middle of the desert? Then a lad’s trip to Kalgoorlie could be just the ticket!

Getting there

There are 3 ways to get there – car, train and plane. Though the 2 most common options are car and train. If you’re a golfer, you’ll want to take your clubs with you, so a road trip is probably the easiest option! The trip is about 6 hours in the car, but we’d recommend a stop half way in Merredin to grab a coffee, lunch and stretch your legs.

The Prospector train from Perth is super convenient and has roomy seats, TVs in every seat and a licensed bar and restaurant hatch. It takes around 7 hours on the train, but you can sit back, relax and have a drink or two.

Just a reminder, there’s limited storage on the Prospector Train for golf clubs and this needs to be booked ahead, so make sure you call first!

Accommodation

There is no shortage of places to stay in Kalgoorlie Boulder; from cheap and cheerful motels to the indulgent Rydges Resort and Spa. Check out our website for a full accommodation listing, and you can book through the local Visitor Centre. There’s no shortage of places to rest-up in Kalgoorlie.

Outback pubs

If you and the boys enjoy a pint or two, then Kalgoorlie Boulder is definitely a place that will quench any man’s thirst!

The headline act is of course the renowned Exchange Hotel one of Western Australia’s most iconic and photographed hotels. The Exchange is the town’s longest operating license, established in the early 1890’s, and now contains Paddy’s Restaurant and the Wild West Saloon. There’s also the York Hotel, the Palace and many, many more.

If you want to experience a couple of outback pubs, head to The Broad Arrow a half an hour and Ora Banda Tavern approximately 50 minutes drive from Kalgoorlie – both offer a truly unique experience. At the Broad Arrow you can write your name on the tin walls and mark your trip forever. Have a game of pool and then enjoy a famous Broady Burger! The Ora Banda Historical Inn is a great spot to gather with friends and enjoy a nice cold beer overlooking the Ora Banda ghost town watching magnificent sunsets.

If there are craft beer fans in your group, head straight for the Beaten Track Brewery in Boulder! Mitch and Allira and their team craft beers right here in his tin shed and you can get your hands on some unique creations!

Golden Golf

Did you know the Kalgoorlie Golf Course is ranked the 18th best course in Australia? It was designed by Graham Marsh and is one of the best desert courses in the world! This challenging course is an oasis of green in the middle of the red dirt surrounds. It’s definitely one for the bucket list!  After you’ve finished the round, head to The Waterhole Bar and Bistro to cap off the day.

Nullarbor Links

Ok, so this isn’t just in Kalgoorlie, but did you know that Kalgoorlie is actually the start of the longest Golf Course in the world, the Nullarbor Links? This unique 18-hole par 72 golf course spans 1,365 kilometres from Kalgoorlie all the way to Ceduna in South Australia. A single hole can be played in each participating town or roadhouse along the Eyre Highway, each featuring a green, a tee and a fairway of rugged outback natural terrain. This is certainly one for the golfing fanatics and a sure-fire bucket list tick!

Kalgoorlie Cup

Billed as Australia’s Biggest Party, the Kalgoorlie Cup, or Race Round as it’s known to the locals, is the most fun week in Kalgoorlie Boulder! The whole town comes together to celebrate not just the race day, but an entire week of events, activities and racing days! This year the Kalgoorlie Cup will be held on Saturday 6 October, but the week-long party starts on Sunday 9 October. Please note this is a popular time in Kalgoorlie, so if you fancy heading to town to celebrate, be sure to book your accommodation early!

For more information visit the website.

 

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The Super Pit

Does it get any more manly than a giant super pit?

This is something that must be seen to be believed. The Super Pit is Australia’s largest open pit gold mine, producing around 850,000 ounces of the precious metal annually. Just how big is the super pit? 3.7 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide and approximately 480 metres deep – not bad! The view across the Super Pit from the official lookout gives you the perfect vantage point to take in the sheer size of this operation.

Lake Ballard and Golden Quest Discovery Trail

If you and your mates fancy getting out under the night sky and enjoying some back to basics camping – why not drive into the outback along the Golden Quest Discovery Trail? You can find ‘ghost towns’ like Gwalia, or wander amongst the eerie steel statues at Lake Ballard. This is a perfect spot to lay out the swags, get the campfire going and crack open a beer.

If you have any questions about this road trip, or just want some travel inspiration, be sure to visit the Australia’s Golden Outback website. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.


This is a sponsored post for Australia’s Golden Outback – endorsed by So Perth. We value your feedback so please contact us with any thoughts in regards to our sponsored post. Thank you for supporting So Perth and our sponsors.

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