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11 Date ideas in Kalgoorlie (that aren’t Dinner and a Movie)

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About Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie is a tiny little place in Western Australia that most people have never heard of before. Full of singles and families, there is one thing we all seem to have in common…There’s not a whole lot to do, which makes it a bit difficult when it comes to dating.

Dating in Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie’s dating scene is huge. There are so many men (and women) that flock here for the money that is possible while working here. But what do you do with your time when you’re not working?

Date.

And that’s what most people find they do here in Kalgoorlie. Serial dating. I can’t lie, I was one of them. But the thing about dating in Kalgoorlie is there isn’t a huge amount of options for date ideas.

It’s usually dinner and a movie…If you’re lucky. And that’s great and all, but sometimes, doing that for every date can get both boring and expensive. Especially if you’re going out for more than a couple of dates a week.

Personally, I’m the kind that enjoys anything BUT dinner and a movie for a first time date. I couldn’t think of anything worse than being forced into a situation where, if it’s a movie, you’re forced to sit side by side next to a stranger in almost silence for two hours. Then God forbid, someone misreads the date going well and slides their hand to awkwardly hold yours. NOPE.

Or even worse, being forced to think of topics to talk about, while sitting across from this stranger at dinner.

Don’t even get me started on the expectation of a woman to not order too much food or to eat daintily. That’s definitely not my style. I love food too much for that.

I prefer to do an activity together. Whether I’m dating someone for 7 days…or 7 years, I’ll always prefer an activity where questions and topics will come more naturally in conversation because you’re both focusing on the same task at hand.

And if you’ve been together with someone for years, trying something besides your usual can help revive the relationship or learn something new about your partner.

So here it is. A list of the 10 best date ideas in Kalgoorlie that aren’t dinner and a movie:

1. Helicopter Picnic

Now this one may be a little exorbitant but hear me out. If you’re in it for a long time and not just a good time, this date is a winner by far. If you’re just looking for the “end goal” then maybe skip to the next options on the list.

If you’re a Kalgoorlie local, however and have a long-term partner, chances are they probably haven’t been on one of the helicopter tours on offer. It’s usually the tourists that do that 90% of the time, right? So surprise your Mrs Right (Or Mr Right) with this little beauty.

Goldfields Air Service (GAS) offer a few different tour options, check them out for pricing. Considering what is on offer, the pricing is very reasonable.

2. Projector Movie out Bush

Kalgoorlie is surrounded by a whole lotta nothing but bush…So finding a spot shouldn’t be a problem.

This one requires a little more effort but if you have a car, a projector and a projector screen (or just a white sheet), then you have everything you need for the most romantic night in Kalgoorlie she (or he) will always remember.

I’ve actually carried this one out myself and it went 500% perfectly.

Find a spot out bush (I chose Lake Douglas as I spotted 2 perfectly separated trees with a small fire pit. You could also try one of these perfect hang out places), hang your projector screen up, hook your projector up to your car 12v socket or another power source you might have, download some movies onto a USB drive and hey presto, you’ve got the most romantic date in Kalgoorlie.

You’d obviously have to bring some food, cos what girl doesn’t love some little snacks…or a pork chop. If you have a ute, it’s even more perfect. Set it up really comfortably and watch your movie from inside the tray.

3. Graffiti Burnt out Cars

This is a date that I almost went out on but he chickened out last minute and didn’t go through with it. At this point he knew nothing about me so decided to go for a more classic date idea. He didn’t tell me about the other option until after our date.

Anyway, anyone who lives in Kalgoorlie knows that unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence for people’s cars to get stolen and when the thieves are done with the car, they’ll take it out bush and set it on fire. It’s horrible…BUT, when life gives you lemons…

Buy a few cans of spray paint, find some old cars out bush, maybe toward cow tails and Radio Hill if you’re stuck for ideas and you’ll be sure to come across some old, rusty, burnt out cars. They’re an eye soar really, so could use a bit of brightening up.

And if you’re great with art, it’s a nice way to impress your date and show off your skills. I don’t recommend spray painting anything more than that. If you come across some old ruins out bush…LEAVE THEM ALONE!

4. Sunset and Tasting Plate on the Back of a Ute

Simple yet effective. Cut up a bunch of stuff for a tasting plate, a bottle of wine, some glasses and find a deserted spot to watch the sunset together. Maybe take a speaker if you’re the kind of person who feels awkward in silence.

Easy, cheap. What everyone wants from a date, hey?

5. Watch a Slag Pour

During the BHP Nickel Smelting process, the high grade concentrate is separated from the low grade tails, which is then discarded down the side of a man made hill. This low grade mixture is called the ‘slag.’

When the furnace is running, they can do these slag pours every 15 minutes or so and it is heated to such high temperatures it is literally like watching lava (or at least what I imagine lava would look like).

Most people choose Radio Hill to go up to watch the slag pour happen. If you know your way better around the bush, however, you can find a perfect vantage point where it almost burns your eyebrows off.

I recommend the safer option. Not just because I won’t be held responsible for anyone’s bad judgement…but also because the very close up spot usually requires you to tread onto private BHP land

6. Cultural Tour

For the more adventurous!

If you want to see how “up to a challenge” your prospective partner is or introduce them to a new culture, take them on a cultural tour.

There are a few to choose from in Kalgoorlie:

Honey Ant Tour

If you don’t know what a honey ant is, it’s sort of like a bee…but it’s an ant. It stores it’s honey…Well…I might leave that to you to find out. And I hope you do decide to find out first hand.

You can book through their website, Goldfields Honey Ant Tours or contact them directly through their Facebook page, Tjupan Bush Trips.

Wongutha Bush Tours

Kalgoorlie is generally Wongutha land, I believe and most widely spoken Aboriginal language in these areas.

Bush Ghoodhu Wongutha Tours that offer a variety of experiences where you can learn things about Wongutha Aboriginal culture, hunting bush tucker, tracking animals, bush medicine.

You can book directly through them or through the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Visitors Centre.

7. Super Pit Tour

To be honest, almost everyone I know who lives in Kalgoorlie has never been on a Super Pit Tour. We’ve all gone to the lookout, maybe even seen a blast or two, but none have actually participated in a Super Pit Tour.

And hopefully your date hasn’t either. And if they have, maybe they haven’t gone with you and you can woo the pants off of them!

You can either look like a money bags and go for a paid tour (although personally I think that may set the wrong tone for the relationship first off – Unless that is the tone you’re looking to set and you are a money bags) OR you could choose to have a nice morning at the Hannan’s North Tourist Mine where you’re able to get FREE tickets to then join the tour.

Every third Sunday of the month (which also happens to be Boulder Market Day), Northern Star operates FREE tours of the KCGM mine sites and the Super Pit to give others a better understanding of their operations. What better day for a date too, a Sunday…When there’s not much else to do in town anyway.

8. Become a Tourist

Being a tourist is my favourite way to remind myself of how interesting a place can be. Especially when you’ve been in the same place for a long time and are growing weary of it.

Contrary to popular belief, there’s actually quite a lot to do in Kalgoorlie, amazing history and a lot of incredible mines. Just the other day, as I was headed to lunch with my mother I said “I’ve never been in there before. Should we check it out after lunch?”

And after lunch, we went to the Boulder Town Hall, I saw the famous Goatcher curtain for the first time, took in the vintage furniture and portraits hanging in the council meeting room upstairs and became part of the Kalgoorlie history by signing a memorabilia canvas the Town Hall had put out.

Take them on a date everywhere the tourists go. Especially at a non-touristy time.

9. Do the Parkrun

The Parkrun is a 5km run that is held at the entrance of Karlkurla Park every Sunday at 8am. It is a volunteer run activity and is great motivation to keep coming every week and to strive to improve.

You sign up, get given a barcode that you print off and rock up come Sunday. Everyone starts their 5km at the same time at 8am and at the finish line, there is a volunteer to scan your barcode to record your time. Your results are sent to your email you signed up with.

If you’re into someone sporty or a quite fit yourself, or you’re just looking for something different, try the Parkrun.

If you’re not too into running, that’s fine too. You’re allowed to walk it. Plenty of people from different walks of life participate for varying reasons. For some mums, it’s the only time they’re able to socialise and show up with their prams, chatting and walking along. For others, it’s motivation to keep showing up every week and do it cos they know they should. For me, it was an excuse to get out and see that little bit more of Kalgoorlie that not everyone quite knows about.

10. Take a Thunderstruck Trike Tour

You may have seen this one on TV. It’s an orange Harley Davidson Trike that will take you on tours of the Goldfields. The great part, though, is that it is super affordable.

They have a whole range of tour options to choose from whether you’re just looking for something around town or want to get out a little further, like, say…Broad Arrow.

Check them out on Facebook for the full menu of tour options

11. Go on a Day Trip

There are so many things to see and do on the outskirts of Kalgoorlie that people don’t quite talk or know about. Go see the statues at Lake Ballard, gawk at the cliffs at Cave Rock, See the serene waters at Burra Rock among so many others.

Try any one of these day trips for an idea of a day trip to take your special someone on.

You can either settle on one of these ideas…Or be like everyone else and take your prospective date out to dinner and a movie. If you do decide on this option, The Palace Hotel would be the best bet or Paddy’s. Or even like I just mentioned, Broad Arrow. It’s a little further out of town, but is a great gem not many people frequent unless they work out those ways

BUT if you really want to stand out from the crowd and you’re looking to impress, I’d choose one of these 10 date ideas.

So, do you have any great date ideas that all the rest of us schmucks are able to steal and try out? Which one is your favourite? Which one are you going to try next? Let us know in the comments below!

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In Destination

10 of the Best Day Trips from Kalgoorlie

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When you live in Kalgoorlie, you have to actively try to find things to do to not get stuck in the mundane “All work and no play” that is so easy to do in a mining town like Kalgoorlie. One of the best things you can do to get the most out of Kalgoorlie is actually go exploring a bit further than the city limits.

My best recommendation is to get out on one of the many day trips there are just a little way from Kalgoorlie. All the following in the list are less than two hours away to give you a large amount of time to enjoy once you arrive.

Many of these roads venture into bushland and are unsealed, however, it’s not essential to have a four wheel drive. They’re my kind of adventure too, because they’re all free to enter.

These are THE best day trips that’ll give you a better understanding of living like a local in Kalgoorlie:

1. Rowles Lagoon

Just over 70kms north of Coolgardie, Rowles lagoon is a lake at the end of a long, corrugated, unsealed road. It has a lot of different species of bird. It’s perfect for families, great for swimming, canoeing and kayaking. If you’d like to, you could even camp here the night. Depending on the season, though, the lagoon sometimes dries out.

2. Cave Hill

90kms south of Coolgardie is Cave Hill. It is such a vast area and you could easily explore here all day. Made up of ancient cave formations. Another great camping spot with barbecues, picnic tables and even a toilet to use.

3. Burra Rocks

If coming from Kalgoorlie, Burra Rock Dam is such a surprising sight to see. A beautifully lush body of water surrounded by some greenery. It’s like something out of a fairy tale if you’re used to the dry and barren conditions in Kalgoorlie. Another perfect spot for camping on their camp sites. There are toilets, barbecues and picnic tables.

Climb the large rock mountain to see breathtaking views of the woodlands that surround. I once screamed my head off when climbing the rock and halfway up the summit, a snake had dislodged and couldn’t grip the rock face. It slid toward us unable to stop itself…Luckily it skidded past and I was on edge for the rest of the day haha.

4. Lake Douglas

Also referred to as “The Big Puddle” by some locals, Lake Douglas is about a 5 minute drive from Kalgoorlie. Often used as a place to ride dirt bikes, swim, kayak, catch yabbies sometimes or even just explore the surrounds.

I’ve even used it as a location for a special date idea in Kal cos ya know…I’m lovely like that haha. There are camp sites and also toilets here too. It can get busy during the nicer seasons on nicer days as it’s one of the only locations many people in Kalgoorlie know of. It’s also a great spot to bring your dog.

5. Lake Ballard

It’s about 180km from Kalgoorlie to Lake Ballard, mostly on a sealed road, but the last 50km leg will be an unsealed road. Lake Ballard is a vast salt lake about 20km wide and 50km long. It is a well known landmark to visit in Australia due to the art sculptures placed in it’s vast emptiness. 51 Large, metal sculptures, based off of residents that live in Menzies. They’re huge, eerie and majestic all at once.

Camping spots are available and toilets too, but no water. The cooler months are the best time to visit so either autumn or spring. There are positives about visiting during Summer too, but it can get so hot out there that it’s unpleasant.

6. Kambalda

Only a 40 or so minute drive from Kalgoorlie, Kambalda is a quaint town, divided into West and East Kambalda. There is a healthy rivalry between the two. There are so many mines in Kambalda and a few mining camps. You’ll usually see more miners around than just locals.

There are a few things to do that are worth mentioning. They have a lovely outdoor pool down Barnes Drive that is only $5 for adults and $3 for kids and spectators. There are also snacks and other things you can purchase.

If you’re looking for something free that’s a bit of an experience, there is also a dam the locals very regularly swim in. It’s a BHP dam.

You could also check out some of the mine sites around. If you’re unable to get a good view, Red Hill Lookout is a great vantage point. My favourite is at night when the mines are all lit up.

Lastly, you could try your hand at wind surfing! Just a bit further than Kambalda at Lake Lefroy is some of the best wind surfing you’ll come across in all of Australia. Look up Blokarts and give them a call.

7. Coolgardie

Coolgardie is another small town not far from Kalgoorlie. It takes about 20 minutes to drive there from Kal, but it’s that small, if you blink you’ll miss it. There is a town pool right next to the town playground, skate park and park. Best part? It’s free.

The other reason people enjoy Coolgardie is the Visitor’s centre and museum. Just a few dollars for entry is well worth it. Ben Prior Park is also interesting with a display of authentic vintage mining machinery.

Everything in Coolgardie is within walking distance and you can easily spend a whole day out here with the family.

8. Kanowna

Kanowna Belle is the mine site, but Kanowna is a mining ghost town, about 20km east of Kalgoorlie. Kanowna was once a busy and active community and now all that remains are remnants of the old ruins. The Western Australian Tourism Commission has described it as “Perhaps the most incredible of all ghost towns.” When you go there, however, you MAY be disappointed when you realise it’s not old buildings, but just signs that show where the buildings once stood.

9. Gwalia

There is another option for those of you who do wish to see a ghost town of actual buildings, however it’s about 2 hours away. Gwalia a ghost town and museum that you can explore. The buildings and contents are in astounding condition (if you could say that about old shacks). There are old shacks, buildings and abandoned cars. People have also reported ghostly figures in photos they’ve taken is Gwalia too. I may or may not be one of those people.

10. Woodlands National Park and Victoria Rock

Woodlands National Park has a variety of scenery to be in awe over. Climb the large Boondi Rock to get beautiful views in all directions. In Spring, see the wild flowers bloom into life. It’s quite unlike anything you’d expect to see in the outback.

The road in is very corrugated, but a 4×4 isn’t really necessary. There are camp sites and toilets, salt lakes and a place to splash in the freshwater swamps.

This is a roundup of all the best day trips from Kalgoorlie (less than a couple of hours away). How did we do? Do you know of any that I missed? Did you learn anything new? Have you been on any of these day trips or planning to go to one soon? Let me know in the comments which ones sound the best (Psst…The first 3 are my favourite).

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