This guide to the Museum of the Goldfields provides exact information you’ll need: opening hours, entry cost, how to get there, parking and accessibility, and best times to visit so your visit is well-planned and rewarding.
History and overview of the Museum of the Goldfields
The Museum of the Goldfields is part of the Western Australian Museum network. It is located at 17 Hannan Street in Kalgoorlie / Karlkurla, within the heart of the Goldfields region. The museum captures the rich history of this remote and rugged part of Western Australia, especially its role in the gold rush era that shaped much of WA’s growth. Key local buildings such as the British Arms Hotel, the De Bernales Building, the Miners’ Cottage, and the police wagon are included among the exhibits.
The collection includes the State’s largest display of gold bars and nuggets, interactive displays showing how prospectors searched for gold, and detailed narratives about the day-to-day lives of mining families in the early 1900s. There is also a photographic archive and era-specific reconstructions of living conditions, providing both tangible artefacts and immersive storytelling. Another highlight is the Ivanhoe Headframe viewing platform, which offers vistas over the city and mining landscapes, giving visitors a sense of scale and geography of the Goldfields.
Besides mineral wealth, the museum also explores broader themes: migration, Indigenous histories, environmental change, and modern mining technology. The museum’s architecture and layout include multiple heritage buildings and outdoor spaces, including courtyards and a Headframe display, which connect the objects with the townspeople’s stories. It shows how towns like Kalgoorlie developed around mining, weather extremes, and the harsh terrain. The Museum of the Goldfields stands not only as a repository of artefacts but also as a living centre of regional identity.
Opening hours and entry cost
Opening hours: Open daily 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. On Anzac Day, open from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday. (Verified from the WA Museum site.)
Entry cost: Free general admission. Donations are welcome. Some special exhibitions or events may charge a fee. (Official information.)
How to get there by public transport or car
- By Bus: The Museum is served by all three of Kalgoorlie’s city bus routes. Check the Public Transport Authority for schedules and nearest stops. (WA Museum info)
- By Car: The address is 17 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie / Karlkurla, WA 6430. Street parking is available nearby. Visitors coming with disabled passengers can use the front forecourt for drop-off. Free ACROD parking is provided at the forecourt on Hannan Street. (Official info.)
Parking, accessibility and visitor facilities
- Parking: Street parking available; free ACROD designated parking in front forecourt. Drop-off area at front forecourt with kerb ramp.
- Wheelchair access and facilities: Ground floor spaces including reception, the shop, and main exhibitions are level and accessible. There is a lift servicing basement, ground, 1st floor and the Headframe viewing platform. Note: lift may occasionally be unavailable in extreme weather. Women’s toilets are up two stairs; unisex disability access toilet is on the ground floor.
- Other facilities: Courtyard and outdoor displays, heritage buildings, garden areas, viewing platform, main exhibitions, shop. Audio-guides are not available; print captions in video-material are provided.
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Best times to visit and how long to allow
Best times of day: Morning just after opening (10:00 am) tends to be quietest. Midday to early afternoon can draw more visitors, especially during school holidays. Late afternoon may be too late as the museum closes at 3:00 pm.
Best days: Weekdays are quieter than weekends, although the museum is rarely hugely busy. Public holidays can affect opening.
How long to allow: Plan on spending about 1 to 1.5 hours to see the permanent exhibitions fully. If you want to explore any special exhibition, outdoor displays, or take photos from the Headframe platform, allow up to 2 hours.
Suggested itinerary and nearby attractions to combine
- Start at the Museum of the Goldfields upon its opening, explore the internal galleries and gold displays.
- Walk through the heritage buildings on site, such as De Bernales Building and the British Arms Hotel exhibits.
- Visit the Ivanhoe Headframe viewing platform and take in views over Kalgoorlie.
- Have lunch in Hannan Street, explore the historical main street with period architecture, shops and cafés.
- If time remains, visit the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Visitor Centre, the Goldfields War Museum or locally the Warden Finnerty’s Exhibition Centre.
- Head up to Mount Charlotte to see where the Golden Pipeline – WA’s extraordinary engineering project – ends.
FAQ: practical visitor questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there an admission fee? | No. Entry is free; donations are welcome. Some exhibitions or events may require a paid ticket. |
| What are the hours? | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm daily. On ANZAC Day 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday. |
| Is there parking nearby? | Yes. Street parking is available. Free ACROD parking at forecourt; drop-off adjacent at Hannan Street entrance. |
| Are there accessible facilities? | Mostly yes. Level access to ground-floor spaces; lift to some upper areas; unisex disability toilet on ground floor; note that women’s toilets are up two stairs. |
| Are special exhibitions charged? | Sometimes yes—general admission is free, but special exhibitions or events may have fees. |
| When is it less crowded? | Weekday mornings just after opening; mid-morning is usually quieter. Avoid late morning to afternoon during weekends or school holiday periods. |
More Western Australia travel
Other Western Australia travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A tale of mutiny and murder on the Houtman Abrolhos Islands.
- Discovering the dangers at Australia’s last whaling station.
- Why you should see the Pinnacles at night.
- What it’s like to swim with whale sharks.
- Why I enjoyed the notorious drive across the Nullabor.