Monday, 30 April 2018

Thurs, 26th Apr, 2018 Lake Douglas campground, west of Kalgoorlie to Centennial Park, Kalgoorlie, WA (sightseeing)



7am 16.8 degrees, few clouds around.

Rang Debbie in Cairns to arrange for credit for our Satellite Phone. Hopefully we won’t have any need to use it but it is better to be prepared.

Gavin rang back, he and Tonia had a trip to Bali and just got back. Marlene is over looking after the kids so we will call around later to see them all.

Drove back into town and parked at the 24 hour RV stop at Centennial Park again. Unhooked the van then headed off to explore another deserted township – Kanowna. First we turned off into the mining plant of Kanowna Belle. There is a lookout and information about the gold processing plant here. There was also a lookout over the mine but that is closed now.




















Continued on to Kanowna – now only a few broken signs and grass as the area hasn’t been maintained as a historical site. Lots of diggings here.



We found one of the 3 cemeteries where there was some good information.









The cemetery is surrounded by diggings.




This grave was for a police man. Steve noticed a box behind the tombstone and we realised we had found a Geocache – and we weren’t even looking for it. I have joined but hadn’t gotten round to finding out where any of the caches were in this area. Didn’t have anything to swap so just signed our name in the book.





Further down this strip which is the Protestant part of the cemetery. Lots of diggings so close to the graves. Luckily no one found a leader that went under the cemetery!!


The narrow Catholic section.

Followed another track and found the information about the railway siding and more history.









Followed a track down to find the Dam. Passed a couple of chaps working their lease with dozers and dryblowing machine.


Headed back to town past the ‘locals’ camp – really!

Looking at the back of the Superpit.

Up to the lookout to see what they have been up to lately in the Superpit. The measurements haven’t changed 3.5km long, 1.6km wide and 620m deep.


They have been busy – this is the view from 2 years ago.


View down into the pit and the little ‘tonker’ trucks crawling up the road shows how far away we are from them.


The gold price flashed up on the TV screen.

Looking across to Mt Charlotte Mine headframe. They have reopened the shaft down into the mine rather than using the decline access. They are also drilling on the western side as we drove up to the lookout so might have to move the lookout again!!



We noticed the fallen rock on the far side and realised the trucks are going up there to dump the rubbish rock.




Fabulous aerial photo.

Down Burt Street, Boulder for a look at the redone old buildings – looking good. Near the town hall I spotted a lady and three children and then realised it was Marlene with her grandkids. Stopped for a chat and arranged to go over to visit after dinner as they were going to the movies. Poor Tonia came back with Bali Belly and the flu.

Back down Hannan Street in Kalgoorlie – couldn’t resist another photo of the golden dome.

Home for the night in the RV stop.

Had some lunch then baked Anzac cookies as we wanted to use up the gas in the bottle so we could exchange it tomorrow – it was due to run out on the weekend. Steve went over to the water point and filled up the truck. They have changed the tap and it must have a restrictor in it as it takes ages.

Gavin rang to say he was leaving work and they have changed plans so to come over soon. I was just going out to find Steve when a lady came to the door. It was Belinda who we met here last year. Steve had spotted their truck and van and was chatting with Max. Great catching up with them.

Headed over to Gavin’s and had a nice afternoon chatting.

Linda texted they had arrived and were staying at their friend’s place so we had a quick dinner in the van then went over for a cuppa around their fireplace. It is a vacant block which the couple are planning to build on one day. Very handy for Kev and Linda. Dean is going back on the train at 7am in the morning. He had a great trip and even found a bit of gold.

Getting chilly as we headed back to the van.


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