Day #2: Gold Mines and Stargazing

Kalgoorie:
Kalgoorie, located in Western Australia, is a historic mining town rich in gold rush heritage and natural beauty. Known for it striking red earth landscapes and wide blue skies, Kalgoorie has a unique charm blending rugged outback and classic Australian architecture. The town is home to the Super Pit, one of the largest open-air mines in the world, offering visitors a chance to witness modern mining up close. The town itself id dotted with heritage buildings, historic pubs, and museums that echo the region's vibrant history of fortune seekers and pioneers. Many are found on Hannan Street, the main historical thoroughfare.  Kalgoorie's culture celebrates its roots with annual events and festivals, while nearby natural attractions, such as stunning salt flats and bushland, invite exploration. This lively sun-soaked town embodies the spirit of Australia's outback, attracting tourists, adventurers, and history enthusiasts alike.



Kalgoorie Super Pit
 Recreation Heritage Hotel
 York Heritage Hotel
Museum of the Goldfields Goldfields War Museum Exchange Hotel



Laslett Building
Historic Hannan Street

Cook:
Cook, Australia, is and eerie, isolated ghost town that stands almost frozen in time in the heart of the Nullabor Plain. Once a bustling railway settlement on the Indian Pacific rail line, it now has only a few remaining structures, abandoned and weather-beaten, serving as a quiet reminders of its former life. The empty buildings, crumbling walls, and scattered relics evoke a sense of haunting desolation, as the population has dwindled to just a handful of caretakers. On its current itinerary, the Indian Pacific arrive at Cook around dusk, so it leaves little time to see the abandoned town. The video to the left offers a tour of the town and its history.







Stargazing

Surrounded by an arid, flat landscape that stretches endlessly, the town's vast open skies make it one of the most breathtaking spots for stargazing in Australia. With virtually no light pollution for hundreds of miles, the Milky Way unfurls across the sky in dazzling clarity. On a clear night, constellations and planets shine brightly, and the Southern Cross is visible in stunning detail. Cook offers a profound sense of solitude and the surreal experience of witnessing the boundless Australian night sky in its raw, untouched beauty