🔍

Coolgardie

WA 6429 • Western Australia

773
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
124.98 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricMiningRegionalOutback
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About Coolgardie

Coolgardie is a historic gold rush town in the Western Australian goldfields, located approximately 558 km east of Perth and 38 km southwest of Kalgoorlie. With a population of around 773 residents, it was once the third largest town in the Western Australian colony, boasting an estimated 15,000 residents at its 1890s peak when it served as the epicentre of a major gold rush. The town was founded in 1892 following the discovery of gold by prospectors Arthur Bayley and William Ford, and the Municipality of Coolgardie was formally established in 1894. Today it falls within the Shire of Coolgardie.

Coolgardie is now primarily known as a heritage tourist destination and working-class mining support town, with well-preserved Victorian-era streetscapes, historic hotels, and the Goldfields Exhibition Museum attracting visitors from across the country. The town famously yielded the world's second-largest gold nugget in 1995. Mining remains an important part of the local economy, with the broader Kalgoorlie-Boulder goldfields region driving employment. Residents enjoy a tight-knit outback community atmosphere, with Kalgoorlie's full range of urban services just 38 km away. The town is served by the Great Eastern Highway and the Kalgoorlie railway line.

Coolgardie falls under postcode 6429 and is governed by the Coolgardie Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Durack, while state elections fall under the Kalgoorlie (Mining and Pastoral) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6429
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Coolgardie
Federal Electorate
Durack
State Electorate
Kalgoorlie (Mining and Pastoral)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-30.95°, 120.90°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
124.98 km²
Population Density
6 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 6429

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 6429 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$57,013
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$72,587

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 6429; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Coolgardie-Esperance Highway (bus stop)
0.5 km
7 min
Kalgoorlie
38 km
n/a

Bus Services

  • Transwa GE1 — Perth / Kalgoorlie Kalgoorlie ~35 min, Perth ~8 hrs

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
558 km
By Train
~7-8 hrs via Prospector (Kalgoorlie to Perth)
By Bus
~7 hrs via Transwa coach
By Car (Peak)
5 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5 hr 15 min

🛣️ Long-distance commuting to Perth is not practical. Kalgoorlie is the main regional hub 38 km away.

Walkability Low

The small town centre has limited walkable services. A car is needed for most trips beyond the historic main street.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
773
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coolgardie known for? +

Coolgardie is known as the site of WA's first major gold rush in 1892, which transformed the state's economy. The town has extraordinary Victorian heritage buildings, the Coolgardie Goldfields Museum, and is a significant heritage tourism destination.

How far is Coolgardie from Perth? +

Coolgardie is approximately 560 kilometres east of Perth, around a 6 hour drive via the Great Eastern Highway. Kalgoorlie-Boulder is 40 kilometres east.

Does Coolgardie have public transport? +

Coolgardie is connected to Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Perth by Transwa coach and Great Eastern Highway buses. The Transwa Prospector train service operates through Kalgoorlie to Perth (approximately 8 hours).

What is the population of Coolgardie? +

According to the 2021 Census, Coolgardie has a population of approximately 773 residents, a small community with a rich gold rush heritage.

Is Coolgardie a good place to live? +

Coolgardie suits those with connections to the goldfields mining industry or those who value living in a historic gold rush town. Very affordable housing, heritage character, and proximity to Kalgoorlie-Boulder are its main attractions.

What is the postcode for Coolgardie? +

The postcode for Coolgardie is 6429.