Try your hand at gold panning
Dig deeper into Kalgoorlie’s gold rush history at the Hannans North Tourist Mine, where you’ll find plenty of fun hands-on experiences for both kids and grown-ups.
Snap some photos as you climb the giant truck and loader; explore the old Prospectors Campsite; go panning for gold; and stroll through the tranquil Chinese Garden of Remembrance.
The mine is open Sunday to Friday from 9am – 4pm. Discover more about admission fees and bookings.
What to know before you go
Hannans North Tourist Mine is just a 4-minute drive away from the Kalgoorlie Plaza Hotel.
Just head back to Hannan Street from the hotel, turn right, and follow the road until you reach Goldfields Highway. Turn left onto the Highway, and drive for a minute until you see the sign indicating the turnoff to the Mine.
Hannans North Tourist Mine is open 6 days a week, Sunday to Friday, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Last admission is at 3:30pm, but you’ll typically spend more than half an hour there.
It’s only closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day.
Prices range from $9 for children, $14 for concession card holders, and $16 for adults, and a family pass can be purchased for $47, for 2 adults and 2 children.
Hannans North Tourist Mine isn’t a working mine, so don’t expect to go prospecting for record-breaking gold nuggets. However, there is a space to try your hand at gold panning. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to uncover real gold fines, left over from the mine’s Gold Rush history.
Along with a sense of adventure, we recommend wearing sturdy enclosed footwear, as you’ll be outside for a lot of your time here. Bring a hat and sunscreen, too, and plenty of water.
While tea, coffee, cold drinks, and a selection of ice creams are available, they don’t sell meals, so make sure to bring snacks, or pack a picnic. Alternatively, there are also barbecue facilities available on-site.