Kalgoorlie

Whenever the young folk see the motorbikes, they come over and want to know more about the bikes, where have we been and whats the ride like. The older generation, especially in caravan parks, come up, admire the bikes for a few minutes and then tell us about their bike stories. Some of them get quite immersed in their stories and you can see they'd love to get back on a bike. Quite often this happens as we are unloading, undressing from our heavy and hot bike gear or generally busy which for me is annoying. Happy to hear your story, but I'm busy, can't you wait 30 min. I suspect the middle group - 30 -  55 y.o.  just think we are stupid for riding bikes.

We are in Kalgoorlie or "Kal" as the locals call it and it's a surprise. Kal is a very old town and the houses reflect this. From very old, asbestos walled, just holding together small houses to newly built palatial homes. Whilst most of the older homes are bull dozer jobs, they are the ones with character. Jacaranda verandas, established gardens and one I walked passed on my early morning walk, had an 1930's-40's rusty ute as an ornament. I looked over the fence for a better view and yes, they don't have chassis like that today.

Pete and I had plans for a Super pit mining tour and the Questa Casa brothel tour. The brothel tour is quite famous, as it is the oldest brothel still in business in Aus and everyone we have met, recommends this tour. Obviously something Pete wants to see. But he has had a huge dilemma today. Watch the rugby, Wallabies vs All Blacks or attend the brothel tour. Rugby has won out and we have been camped at one of the many pubs in Kal, for the past few hours. Needless to say,  3 pints in and I am feeling very merry. Maybe one more and then on the water.

Super pit tour is booked out for 3 days in advance and the current tours do not include a look at the mining operations. So I will travel with Pete to Esperance, stay a few days and then head up north again and do the Kal tours we have missed.

Kalgoorlie is a great place. The people are very friendly. I changed tyres, from a knobbie to slick rear tyre and was charged $30 and it was done in 15 min. In Melbourne, that's $50-$100 and will get done later in the day. Pete broke his spectacles and OPSM replaced the arm with spares they had free of charge. Gold prices are down which has had a direct impact on SME's in Kal. Over the past 12 months, miners are being sacked  and the FIFO, (Fly in and Fly Out) miners don't contribute to the Kal economy ie they spend their money when they get back home, as they are fed and housed by the mining company. So it's tough, economically.

Chatting with Pete, I commented that Darwin Hidden Valley was the best caravan park so far on the trip. He agreed, but stated, because it had a younger crowd. At Hidden Valley, within the camping area, everyone knew each other, their plans, country of origin, relationship status etc as we all congregated at the communal kitchen. But all the other caravan parks we have visited, it's been the grey nomads (retired Aussies travelling up north for 3-6 months) who dominate. They stick to themselves, apart from the few that share the communal kitchen. However, it's use is purely for cooking, not eating and socialising. I miss Hidden Valley.
  
We visited the lookout of the super pit, Rays Tent city for some supplies, Telstra so I could increase my data pack and as mentioned, have been enjoying the Exchange Hotel in Kal, watching the AFL, rugby to come and the locals coming and going.


Telephoto lens at it's best.

Kalgoorlie / Boulder township

Leanora caravan park. Obviously this site is a permanent one.

I don't get this. A couple from NSW, purchased a 4wd for say $100K, a huge home on wheels for say $200-$400K. And it can't go off road. So wherever they go, they will have access to a motel / hotel. That $$$ spend equates to a lot of motel stays in Aus or overseas.

Roadhouse in Menzies for sale. They have decorated the outside with car registration plates.

PS : Pub's in Kalgoorlie - full of kiwi's watching the rugby game. very vocal lot.