Australia's Golden Outback 

The Gold Region Tourism Organisation Inc (GRTO) trading as Australia's Golden Outback was established in early 2004 following the development of the "New Concept for State Tourism" by the Western Australian Tourism Commission.

The Region comprises of four tourism precincts - Goldfields, Gascoyne/Murchison, Wheatbelt and Coastal sub-regions. It is the recognised marketing organisation under the umbrella of Tourism Western Australia (TWA) formerly the Western Australia Tourism Commission and has the specific task of marketing and undertaking promotional activities that will establish the region as a highly desirable tourism destination for intrastate, interstate and international visitors.

Our mission is to increase visitor numbers to the region, extend the average length of stay and encourage visitor spending.

It is the intention of the organisation to provide regional stakeholders with a clear understanding of the promotional direction and key marketing activities of "Australia's Golden Outback" that they can work cooperatively with when considering marketing opportunities for their own tourism businesses.

The organisation will also work closely with the industry by taking a positive, proactive and integrated approach to developing defined marketing strategies, that will create a broader understanding of the importance of collaboration across the four tourism precincts within the region thereby encouraging tourism development and growing visitor numbers.

The objectives of the organisation are as follows:

• To establish the Australia's Golden Outback region as a recognised and highly desirable visitor destination.
• To increase visitor numbers, length of stay and visitor spending in the region.
• To manage stakeholder contributions to achieve the maximum and most efficient marketing outcomes for the Australia's Golden Outback region.
• To work with all industry partners and stakeholders to ensure that all issues of infrastructure and development, tourism related communication and business opportunities of the region are best achieved.
  

The Heart of Gold Country

Look for tours offering authentic Aboriginal experiences in and around the mining towns and settlements built by goldrush pioneers. Or simply get into the laid back atmosphere of rural life among grandiose heritage buildings, friendly pubs and hospitable farmstays.

Kalgoorlie is the heart of Western Australia's gold mining country. Still a thriving mining town, it's also a living museum where visitors can visit a vast operational open-pit mine, explore an old mine shaft or try their hand at gold-panning.

In spring, many parts of the region are transformed as the arid landscape gives way to pockets of delicate wildflowers. Nature lovers will want to explore the woodlands edging the Darling Range too, for native wildlife and bush walks.

It's also worth the trip to photograph that West Australian icon, Wave Rock.

Down to the Coast

In extreme contrast, the rugged coastline and sandy coves around Esperance create irresistible photo opportunities.

People flock to this small coastal town from far and wide for world class windsurfing and diving.

Nearby islands offer amazing eco experiences and a variety of accommodation options for holiday-makers, while surrounding farmland rolls into rocky national parks. The Golden Outback region is one of contrasts and diversity.

Farmstay Country

The area to the east of the Darling Range is popular for farmstay holidays and offers a taste of country hospitality. Children will love the experience and the farm animals. A trip to farming country is all about getting close to nature and into the clean, fresh air.

Central Wildflower Country

Encompassing historic towns such as Yalgoo, Dalwallinu, Morawa and Perenjori, Western Australia's Central Wildflower Country is within easy reach of Perth city.

Experience brilliant night skies that glisten with a myriad of stars above spectacular natural scenery.

Nature puts on an exquisite display of dazzling wildflowers here - considered to be among the finest in the world.

Immerse Yourself in a Sea of Flowers

This part of the Golden Outback region is awash with a palette of vibrant colours from June to mid November.

The outback surrounds of Yalgoo host eye-catching white, gold and pink everlastings. Brilliant billy buttons, wild pansies, purple vetch, wattle (Acacia) and daises also flourish.

When travelling through Morawa and Perenjori you can't help but notice the bright orange wild pomegranate and pink native foxgloves.

There are plenty of other photo opportunities with an array of orchid species, vivid grevillea, blue cornflower and yellow bells.

Dalwallinu is regarded as the 'Gateway to the World of Wattles' - boasting the greatest concentration of wattle species anywhere in the world. They flower most of the year, although August and September are when they are at their best.

Getting Back to Nature

This area is a favourite with visitors for more than its brilliant botanical display.

It has retained a pioneering spirit with heritage bush walks - a memorable holiday, particularly for those interested in farming country and local history.

Here's your chance to view some of Western Australia's native wildlife. Lake Nullewa is the spot for birds, and there are a variety of mammals and reptiles around Pintharuka Dam.

If you want to linger a little longer, farmstays are a great way to enjoy wildflower country while experiencing life on a working sheep station. Excellent hotels, caravan parks and camping sites are available too.

Esperance - Bay of Isles

Esperance, in the south east of Western Australia is home to some of the country's most stunning coastline - in fact its beaches are considered among the best in the world.

Oceanic Adventure

With hundreds of kilometres of fresh coastline and some of the best surf breaks in Australia, the appeal for windsurfers and board-riders is obvious. On a good day, it doesn't get much better than this.

Relax on creamy sand beaches, which dissolve into the cool clear Southern Ocean. Here's the place to snorkel among sea-dragons, explore a famous dive wreck and make friends with the local sea lions.

Esperance and Woody Island

The cobalt blue water laps the shoreline around the vibrant coastal township of Esperance, famous for its warm welcome and simple country style.

Around Esperance, rugged national parks morph into expansive farming country offering friendly farmstay accommodation. Don't miss Pink Lake during summer for stunning photos.

Esperance Bay is dotted with some amazing little islands - most accessible by boat and some offering eco-based interactions.

Woody Island has cosy cabins and quality eco-tourism experiences - untouched nature at its best. The fishing is sensational too.

Country hospitality and an unspoiled natural environment guarantee wonderful holiday memories from the Bay of Isles.

National Parks

The Esperance region contains four national parks including Cape Le Grand and the Fitzgerald River.

A climb to the top of Frenchman's Peak at Cape Le Grand National Park will provide a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

There are thrilling four wheel drive tours of coastal areas and sand dunes available, as well as some excellent self drive routes, including the Great Ocean Drive.

The wildflower season is at its peak in the Esperance region during September and October with many distinctive varieties on show in the national parks and roadside reserves.

Farmstay Country

The area to the east of the Darling Range is popular for farmstay holidays and offers a taste of country hospitality. Children will love the experience and the farm animals.

From mid July to November, colourful wildflowers burst into bloom along the roadside and in the bush, while pastures glow yellow with blankets of canola.

Mixing it with Nature and Heritage

A trip to farming country is all about getting close to nature and into the clean, fresh air. While away the day in the Dryandra Woodland, a short drive from Narrogin, where you can do just that.

Dryandra supports several species of native animals, including Western Australia's animal emblem - the numbat. Night tours give visitors an up close view of rare bilbies and other endangered species. Explore walk trails, including an Aboriginal heritage route, or the 25 kilometre audio drive, stopping at picnic spots for views and bird watching.

In nearby Wickepin near the source of the Avon River, a walk trail links places of heritage or cultural significance, including a fully restored homestead.

Step back a hundred years and stroll through the streets of a pioneer village further south in historic Wagin, or find out more about the local sheep stud industry.

Winding through the region is the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail. Weaving romantic stories of Western Australia's Gold Rush era with tales of hardship, water shortages and human endeavour, the Golden Pipeline follows the water pipeline between Mundaring and Kalgoorlie.

Unique Icons

From sheep country, head into the wheatfields of the east for a West Australian icon - Wave Rock. This spectacular natural phenomenon, poised like a wave ready to break onto the sand, stands 15 metres high and is a must for the holiday photo album.

Less well known are the extraordinary rock formations north east of Mukinbudin. Elachbutting includes a wave feature, similar to Wave Rock, a walk-through cavern and a large cave with a whispering wall. Watch for majestic wedge-tailed eagles soaring overhead.

Between these two areas is Merredin, a little town beautifully restored, right on the highway from Perth to Kalgoorlie. Don't miss the Merriden Railway Museum for another slice of pioneer history.

Kalgoorlie and Goldfields
Steeped in history and outback legend, the Goldfields is dotted with historic settlements, ghost towns and stories of fortunes made and lost.

For many, the Goldfields is the real Australia. Here you can have a true adventure - camping under brilliant canopies of stars, experiencing Aboriginal culture and seeing kangaroos and other unique wildlife.

At the centre of the Goldfields is the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. A day's drive or comfortable six-hour train ride from Perth, it's become a living museum for the still flourishing mining industry.

Kalgoorlie - a town like no other

There is nowhere in the world like Kalgoorlie. Nestled amongst majestic architecture, this buzzing community maintains outback lifestyle with pride and energy.

Experience both past and present here by exploring an old mine shaft and touring the awesome Super Pit covering eight square kilometres - Australia's largest open cut mine.

Call by the tourist centre for information on a range of tours, including gold-panning lessons and the Golden Quest Discovery Trail - a self-drive tour of outback history.

Experience the True Australian Outback

Many goldrush settlements in the area are still thriving communities. Cue with its impressive National Trust buildings and the Leonora-Leinster-Laverton triangle are perfect examples. Others are now eerie ghost towns, such as Big Bell.

During the wildflower season (July to September) the rugged goldfields scenery puts on an unrivalled floral display. The area's salt lakes, granite formations and Aboriginal rock art add to the natural drama throughout the year.

At Lake Ballard near Menzies see black abstract steel figures that make up the Inside Australia artwork by internationally renowned artist Antony Gormley.

The true outback experience starts at Laverton and the Great Central Road, which stretches over the rich red landscape to Uluru in the Northern Territory. Or begin at the gold town of Norseman, and take the Eyre Highway across the sweeping Nullarbor Plain to the Great Australian Bight coastline.

The vastness of these landscapes teaches more about Australia's immensity than any school geography lesson.

Farmstay accommodation offers a taste of outback life. Or really get away from it all by camping beside a river or shady tree in peaceful solitude under vast starry skies.

Outback Country

Western Australia has excellent tar-sealed highways and well-marked four wheel drive tracks in most regions. This makes it ideal for caravan holidays or adventurous four-wheel driving.

To travel through Outback Country is to capture the pioneer spirit of our state. The remoteness of the Canning Stock Route and wonderful characters you'll meet in welcoming country towns such as Meekatharra, Wiluna and throughout the Murchison and Upper Gascoyne will provide a fascinating glimpse of rural life.
These are places you can walk into without knowing a soul, and leave a few hours later having made new friends. A simple meal in a country pub can become a warm memory.

The Spirit of the Land

Driving here is an experience in itself, not simply a means to an end. The rugged, rocky outcrops of the Kennedy Range National Park, the wide open spaces and the dramatic way the rich colours reflect changes in light and shadows saturate the soul. A hiking adventure along the beautiful Murchison River will get you out of the car and in touch with the 'spirit of the land'. From August to September delicate wildflowers are scattered through ancient valleys.

Late afternoons are the best time to take photographs as the setting sun throws unbelievably long shadows across the flat ground, and the crevices carved into the hills glow red and purple. This is one of the best times to spot kangaroos and other wildlife such as wedge-tailed eagles and pink and grey galahs.

Australia's Golden Outback region is also home to the world's largest monocline, Mount Augustus. It is twice the size of Ayers Rock, or Uluru, and sits as a magnificent centrepiece to the region.

Outback Camping

One of the great appeals of the outback is camping under clear night skies. Out here, where there is very little ambient light and no pollution, millions of stars blaze in full glory.

Complete your Aussie outback experience around a country campfire enjoying a barbecue meal and traditional damper bread. Dining under the stars and swapping stories is a memorable way to spend an evening among the natural wonders of the outback.

The Outback Highway

For a memorable Australian holiday experience, outback driving is hard to beat.

Four wheel drive adventures awaiting discovery in Australia's Golden Outback region. Journey through cattle station country, which is home to kangaroos, emus, wedge-tailed eagles and even camels.

From Easy Touring to Adventurous Driving

Western Australia's history is forged through mining and the legendary outback cattle drive of the early 1900s, which saw the creation of enormous cattle stations - some the size of small European countries.

Over time, these communities have been linked by highways to create a network of roads taking in some of Australia's most fascinating heritage sites.

Most attractions are accessible by standard vehicles and caravans via Laverton and the Great Central Road. But there are excellent four-wheel drive adventures too, such as the Canning Stock Route and Gunbarrel Highway (through to Uluru).

Life of the Outback

Here's the place for authentic Aboriginal encounters, as the locals share their culture and tell of the 'dreamtime' - indigenous creation stories.

Listening to these stories prompts many visitors to take a fresh look at life. It's that sort of place - simple, expansive and consuming.

This wide open space might appear to be uninhabited, but it's home to kangaroos, emus, huge wedge-tailed eagles, dingos and even the occasional camel - a legacy of the Afghan camel trains which once trekked through the region.

Many cattle stations offer farmstay accommodation and a taste of true outback life. Or really get away from it all by camping beside a river or shady tree in peaceful solitude under vast skies ablaze with millions of stars.

Telephone: +61 8 9483 1111
Telephone (within Aust.) 1300 361 351 (Automated service)
Facsimile: +61 8 9481 0190