Coolgardie
Gold Prospecting Location around Coolgardie
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Coolgardie sparked Western Australia's greatest gold rush when Arthur Bayley and William Ford discovered gold here in September 1892. Using nothing more than a tomahawk, the pair found 554 ounces of gold in a single afternoon at a location then known as Fly Flat.
The discovery triggered a massive rush, with arrivals reaching 4,500 in 1892 alone and a further 5,000 miners in 1893. By 1898, Coolgardie had become the third-largest town in Western Australia with a population of 15,000, complete with multiple hotels, breweries, and stock exchange.
Gold was discovered at Fly Flat in August/September 1892 by prospectors Arthur Bayley and William Ford. Bayley rode back to Southern Cross and registered the claim with 554 ounces of precious gold on September 17, 1892. Within hours, hundreds of men began the arduous 190-kilometer journey to the goldfield.
On August 24, 1893, less than a year after discovery, Coolgardie was officially declared a townsite with an estimated population of 4,000. The town grew rapidly, attracting prospectors from around the world including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Afghanistan, the United States, China, and New Zealand.
At its peak in 1898, Coolgardie boasted a population of 15,000, making it the third-largest town in Western Australia. The town featured thirteen hotels, two breweries, a stock exchange, and even a newspaper. The prosperity was evident in the grand public buildings constructed during this era.
The Coolgardie goldfield has produced more than 2.6 million ounces of gold since 1892. While the population declined after the Kalgoorlie rush eclipsed Coolgardie in 1893, the town remains an important historical center with many well-preserved buildings from the gold rush era.
Common Questions
When was gold first discovered in Coolgardie? ▼
Gold was discovered at Coolgardie (then called Fly Flat) in August/September 1892 by Arthur Bayley and William Ford. They found 554 ounces in a single afternoon using only a tomahawk, sparking Western Australia's greatest gold rush.
Why did Coolgardie's population decline? ▼
While Coolgardie sparked the initial rush, the discovery of even richer gold deposits at Kalgoorlie in June 1893 drew many miners away. Additionally, the town faced severe water shortages in the harsh desert environment, which limited its long-term growth.
How much gold has been found in the Coolgardie area? ▼
The Coolgardie goldfield has produced more than 2.6 million ounces of gold since the 1892 discovery. This makes it one of Western Australia's most significant historical gold producers.
Is Coolgardie still good for gold prospecting? ▼
Yes, the Coolgardie area remains popular with recreational prospectors. Many detectorists continue to find gold nuggets in the region, particularly in areas surrounding the historical workings. A Miner's Right is required to prospect on Crown land.