Category: Western Australia

Northcliffe is a small rural town with a population of 200 people, approximately 366 kilometres south of Perth. Dairy and beef farming have supported the town for nearly a century and more recently grapes, marron, olives and walnuts have been successfully introduced into the region. Northcliffe is a selfcontained town often described as a well kept secret, although Northcliffe is set on four cross roads. Wheatley Coast Road leads to the Windy Harbour beach settlement on the Southern Ocean. Roads to the north wind their way through karri, jarrah and marri forests leading to Pemberton, Manjimup and Perth. The South West Highway goes through the southern towns of Walpole, Denmark, Albany and beyond. Just 30 minutes south of Northcliffe you will find the only sealed access to the D’Entrecasteaux National Park. This road leads past the entrance to Lane Poole Falls, Boorara Tree and the 187 metre high Mount Chudalup. After a moderate 30 minute climb you will see some beautiful views of the D’Entrecasteaux National Park and Meerup sand dunes. D’Entrecasteaux Drive is a six kilometre scenic drive that takes you from the Wheatley Coast Road at Windy Harbour to Point D’Entrecasteaux and the light house. The drive features vehicle lay bys offering exceptional views of the southern coastline and coastal heath wilderness. At the midpoint you will come to Salmon Beach Road, leading to the beautiful Salmon Beach. As you continue along the D’Entrecasteaux Drive you will come to the Tookalup recreational site, a whale watching platform nestled on top of a 100 metre high limestone cliff. Whale watching is the best from September to June. The magnificent Point D’Entrecasteaux is the end of the journey. This site has a great deal to offer with walk trails, viewing platforms and the starting point for the cliff top walk. The D’Entrecasteaux National Park is world renowned for its unusual botanical and geological features. This park has 131 kilometres of sweeping sandy beaches, interrupted only by foaming near shore reefs. Beautiful remote areas are accessible by four wheel drive vehicles. Evidence of Gondwanaland still remains in the Northcliffe district and rare species of fish can found in the some of the creeks. The enthusiast will discover hundreds of different wildflowers in the springtime, 75 percent of which are found nowhere else in the world except Western Australia’s south west. The Bibbulmun Track (a world class 1000 kilometre walking trail) passes directly through Northcliffe, making it an ideal place to begin sectional walks. Special overnight accommodation rates and supplies are available. Other walk brochures mapping trails through old growth forests and alongside local rivers are available at the Tourist Centre. Alternatively, drive to Moons Crossing for a swim in the Warren River or visit Shannon National Park where you can travel the Great Forest Trees Drive and view the attractions the forest has to offer. Picnic in Snake Gully or listen to the FM radio transmission on the history of this bygone timber town. The hardwood forests produce Northcliffe’s fresh air, pure water, wildlife habitats and plant diversity. Enjoy the warmth of glowing log fires in Northcliffe’s accommodation options and marvel at the clearest of night skies. The range of accommodation includes hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, several farm stays, selfcontained chalets and three caravan parks, one of which takes dogs. Dining options in Northcliffe include hotel, restaurant and cafe food. Takeaway is also available. For further information on Northcliffe and surrounds please contact Northcliffe Visitor Centre on (08) 9776 7203 or drop into the Visitor Centre, open seven days a week, at the corner of Wheatley Coast Road and Muirillup Road.

An hour’s flight east from Perth, Kalgoorlie Boulder is the hub of the goldfields and one of Western Australia’s largest cities. Still active as a mining town, Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s wide streets and grand old buildings are full of people living the prospecting dream. Travel to the region by bus, train, plane or car. Kalgoorlie Boulder is a place like no other. From wild and heady origins as a frontier town where fortunes were sought, to the prosperous, bustling ‘Kal’ of today, Kalgoorlie’s rich heritage permeates the town and gives it a distinctive character. Turn of the century architecture, including the magnificent Boulder Town Hall, the red outback just beyond the settlement’s streets and nearby ghost towns make this area fascinating to visitors. Kalgoorlie Boulder is one of the most important mining areas in the world. After Paddy Hannan found gold in the area in 1893, the town’s population soared to 30,000. Today the population is again up to 30,000, after the discovery of nickel deposits in the north of the goldfields. The towns Kalgoorlie and Boulder amalgamated in 1989. Until then they were separate towns side by side. Boulder’s main street, Burt Street, is five kilometres from Kalgoorlie’s centre, Hannan Street. Boulder was named after The Great Boulder Mine, the first mine on the Golden Mile. In September, renowned horse race the Boulder and Kalgoorlie Cup takes place at the 100 year old Racing Round. Crowds from all over the State come to enjoy the town’s festive atmosphere. The largest indoor pool in Western Australia, great for a cooling dip to escape the outback heat, is on Johnston Street. The town has a number of pubs and nightclubs, and live music is popular around town. Visiting artists perform regularly at the Arts Centre. Kalgoorlie Boulder offers the visitor a wide range of restaurants and cafes and a variety of cuisines. Chinese, vegetarian, and Italian foods are available as well as pub counter meals, fast foods and pizzas. Kalgoorlie Boulder offers many styles of accommodation, including caravan parks, camping grounds, hostels, hotels and motels.

Lake King is five and a half hours’ drive east of Perth. The town is a stopping place for visitors travelling across arid country and through Frank Hann National Park to Norseman. It is a crossroads centre with a tavern and several stores. In season the surrounding countryside puts on a wonderful display of colourful wildflowers. Visit the Lake King saltwater lake, picnic at the Mount Madden Cairn and Lookout, or visit a yabby (small freshwater rock lobster) farm. The Frank Hann National Park is located 25 kilometres to the east of town and offers a good representation of the heath flora of inland sand plains. Lake King offers bed and breakfasts, hotel/motel accommodation and a caravan park.