12 May 10 – Kalgoorlie

By Craig: Kalgoorlie is a big town with a history of mining, with a claim to have the biggest gold mine in the southern hemisphere, the ‘Super Pit’.

First of all we had to catch up with new friends Tom, Audrey and their two boys Henry & Angus. The following couple of days included a few drinks to say the least, a day touring a couple of local areas with lunch at Ora Banda pub for Mothers Day and a visit to the Broad Arrow pub. We enjoyed great hospitality, many laughs and great friendship with the Leavers and as we parted it was a sad thought that we may not see them for a while but we left feeling like we were a part of the family.

The things we do through life but what can one say about holding $750,000 of gold in your hands? Actually not much as for security reasons we shouldn’t mention names or places. Suffice to say that a certain person in the know (she knows who she is) gave us a golden (pardon the pun) opportunity to see first hand the pouring of a gold bullion. It is a fascinating process to watch and includes white hot temperatures and an acid bath. As I took hold of the product I could only imagine what Robin Hood might do at this point, but I remembered I was lousy at archery so I gave it back. Sam found himself the reciepient of a small 0.7oz piece of gold (lucky boy)

While in Kalgoorlie we visited the Mine Musium and went underground for a tour.


I also wanted to replace the trailer water tanks as stones had rendered the old ones useless. While I was at it I wanted to put a guard in place to protect the new tanks. Tom assisted with this providing ample conveyor belt rubber and more than a few handy tips.

By Lou: The greatest thing about catching up with travel friends Tom, Audrey, Henry and Angus was that Samuel could finally stop asking “Are we going to Kalgoorlie today?” which he had asked every day for a month since parting with the boys in Streaky Bay SA. We reunited as if we had known each other for years and had a wonderful few days together, as detailed by Craig.

At the caravan park Sam caught up with a friend, Bradley, who he had met at Ceduna. Bradley's family were relocating from Qld to take up work in the mine.