Esperance to Kalgoorlie

400km today in a northerly direction. The low cloud from yesterday has hung around and the temp is a cool 17. Forecast temp in Kalgoorlie is 35 so it’s hard to decide what to wear. Anyhow we set off through the seemingly endless wheatfields and at one point stopped to look at some huge silos which also had augurs feeding hoppers strategically sited over a railway line. 

We had spotted a long train earlier and wondered if it contained grain and indeed it did. On its way to the port at Esperance, no doubt to earn Australia more foreign exchange.

We passed through a couple of towns with interesting names. Grass Patch and Salmon Gum. We didn’t ask.

After about 200km the temp hadn’t risen and by the time we rolled into Norseman we were decidedly chilled. We stopped for gas and a break and to say gidday to 10 million flies, plus a persistent black bird. 

The sky ahead was blue and the temp climbed to 20 as we pulled out. We are now in the great western scrubland and it’s very nice. 

Lots of mines in this area, mostly zinc I think. By the time we arrived in Kalgoorlie it was 32 so we were no longer chilled.

We passed several lakes of varying colour from white through bright green and just normal looking. It is quite a salt producing region and I think the colour varies with the salinity.

Just inside the city boundary we saw a sign for the mine lookout and took a gander. This is another place I knew I had too see on this trip. What an incredible sight to behold. A massive hole in the ground. The trucks trudging up and down looked like worker ants, incredible that each one carries 280 tonne of payload.

This bucket holds 70 Tonnes and there are 4 scoops per truckload.

We have booked a mine tour tomorrow so I’m looking forward to learning more.

We then booked into our accommodation for the next two nights which is handily situated to the cbd.

After a few chores and when the temp dropped a bit we took a wander up the main street. The main attraction is the incredibly well preserved and still functioning pubs. Quite something to see so many historic buildings still in use.

One of the pubs is right next door to our motel so we went in for a drink and a meal.

The barmaid was very friendly but her attire had me wondering whether I’d walked into the wrong establishment. Enough said.

We had a nice meal and for the first time I ordered what must be Australia’s national dish. Chicken Parmi. When it came I reckon it was even shaped like Australia! You be the judge.

Anyway it was very nice but probably a oncer.