The Colours of Karijini

Karijini National Park is situated in the Pilbara region to the north of Western Australia and is one of the state's largest and most spectacular national parks. Haunting in its rugged, red beauty and unbeatable for adventure, the park is famous for its sheer gorges, waterfalls and cool swimming holes ....

Kalgoorlie and The Golden Mile

My birth place and home for the first 17 years of my life. Kalgoorlie today is a thriving, modern inland city and a major service hub for Western Australia's mining industry. Gold was first discovered here by Paddy Hannan in 1893 and gold mining is still a vital and vibrant industry today. I haven't lived in Kal for many years but still regard the place as 'home' and always enjoy going back at least once or twice every year for a holiday and to catch up with family members who still live there. Kalgoorlie has changed considerably over the years as it has grown, expanded and modernised, but the 'old' Kalgoorlie, with its many hotels, its brothels, fascinating architecture and 'wild west' feel is, thankfully, still there. Here are some pics I took from my most recent visit, a few weeks ago .....

Panoramic views ...

Hannan St, Kalgoorlie's main street ....

Historic architecture ....

The old pool. Practically my second home when I was a boy. Now disused and looking sad and neglected ....

The beautiful Boulder Town Hall ...

The infamous two-up ring, on the outskirts of Kalgoorlie ...

Kal has a reputation for having "a pub on every corner". It's not true of course, but, in its heyday, the town boasted more than 35 pubs to cater for the big thirsts of the many miners who lived here. Today, 25 of those historical hotels are still operating. Here are just a few of them ....

The British Arms Hotel (said to be the narrowest hotel in the world ... now part of the Golden Mile museum) ...

The Mt Lyall Hotel, now a restaurant ...

Paddy Hannan statue, Hannan St ....

Goatcher stage curtain. Boulder Town Hall. Painted by Phillip Goatcher in 1908 and believed to be the last remaining example of his work in the world. It is very large (approximately 8 metres square) and was painted as a drop-canvas to complement and close the 'picture frame' stage at the Boulder Town Hall. It's very impressive, and the 3D effect is amazing ....

The brothels (affectionately known to the locals as "the knockers") ....

Mine tailings ....

Views of the Super Pit, Australia's largest open cut gold mine. The Super Pit produces up to 850,000 ounces of gold every year and its operation far outweighs any other mining centre in Australia.