gwalia

Gwalia is an abandoned gold mining town near Leonora. The few remaining houses were voluntarily adopted by people several years ago, partially renovated, fitted out with period furniture and artefacts, and then left open as a walk through museum. Situated near a huge working gold mine and below the Hoover House and museum this is an interesting area to explore. Since our last visit six years ago a number of the houses have been closed to the public due to structural damage and the open buildings are exposed to the weather and are looking neglected. We were advised however that restoration work will be undertaken when government funding become available.

What a fantastic thing that has been done here. The community should be extremely proud of themselves for keeping this part of Australian history alive. It is much appreciated by people like me with a family history connected to the area. Well done!

A gold mining "ghost town" that is being a little neglected Considered the museum entry fee of $10 /head expensive compared to museums in Kalgoorlie expensive & didn't go in.Nearby Leonora is not doing as much as other historical gold mining towns to present its history.

Lots of old buildings from days gone by, for a small fee ($10) visit the museum on top of the hill which overlooks the working open cut mine. Wander through the old ghost town.

If Gwalia were closer to Perth it would be a lot more famous.For the purists, they may quibble that this "ghost town" has been artifically maintained, has an operating mine and a few people still living there.But I found the job they have done with the deserted buildings brilliant. In sufficient disrepair to feel like a ghost town but not so destroyed so you can't poke around and have a good idea what it was like.Its red, red dirt country out here, and a short walk up the small red rock range to the east of Gwalia provides good ouback views with kangaroos bouncing around.

The location of Hoover house gives the perfect view of how a gold mine in the recourse sector operates. The museum is sensational and we should do everything in our power to support such a valuable piece of history. It certainly makes you appreciate the technology we have today that makes our lives so much easier. Bring a quality camera!

The Gwalia museum and complex is interesting and allows a step back in time to the Goldrush days. The museum area provides an excellent social history of the time and the artefacts are well prepared and displayed. The wooden headframe is unique and the machinery driving it has been well maintained for inspection. The old Gwalia townsite is a work in progress of restoration but is of interest if only to remind us all of how lucky we are to live with all the modern amenities...they had it rough and tough. Well worth a visit if travelling near Leonora.

The shared arrangements and visitors wandering through the house from 9 till 4 is not ideal. No where to cook and one can't even wash up glasses as there is no sink...(this tho could be easily fixed without damaging the museum atmosphere) Very friendly caretakers. Amazing site on the edge of the superpit!! Beautiful surrounds.

Travelling through the Goldfields ,from Kalgoorlie ,via Menzies and The Gormley sculptures ,our next stop was Leonora on route to Wiluna .Gwalia old miners township was fascinating ,as was the Museum ,with the memorabilia and the corrugated,hessian shacks with windmills and old car bodies .Its a credit to the folks who set the Museum up and those who are restoring the houses under the heritage act .Hoover House was a very pleasant interlude (B@B ) ,with the story of Herbert Hoover .The accommodation was very well appointed ,with us buying meat at the local butcher Mr.Briggs and using the BBQ to cook our steaks ,we thoroughly enjoyed our one night stopover.Sitting on the front verandah drinking Gin and tonics watching the sun go down over the Battery gave us all much pleasure ,Thank you to the Caretakers ( Husband and wife team ) Gail !!!Yes and we were very mindful of those who until recent times roughed it in the mining and pastoral industries .

Gwalia was once one of the richest gold mines in Australia - Now an open cut and a museum surrounding the old Hoover House Managers Residence ( The same Hoover that went on to become President of the US ) - Is now a B&B - The old township of tin sheds is nearby and highlights the difference in living standards between the manager and miners - Museum of old memorabila is interesting if not unique - A must stop if in this part of Australia to reveal how people roughed it not too many years ago

Visited the Historical museum and stayed in the Herbert Hoover House b & b. This was a magical experience. The museum is split into two areas - at the top of the hill is the Herbert Hoover House where you can learn about the mine's early days and Hoover's relationship with it. There is also some excellent interpretation of mining practices and machinery. At the bottom of the hill is the ghost township with its corrugated iron and hesian shacks in which the miners lived (now 'adopted' by local people who maintain them). An evocative and very moving experience providing such a contrast with the luxury of the Herbert Hoover House.The site is near to Leonora and on the edge (literally a few feet away from the edge) of a very large deep working mine - the Sons of Gwalia. Don't let that put you off - it was amazing to watch mining happening and did not disturb the peace of staying in the museum overnight. The B & B is really lovely, beautifully appointed and the helpful staff give you an audiotour to listen to at your leisure. There are 3 rooms and a shared kitchen. We sat watching the sun go down on the veranda sipping our bubbly and felt priviledged to be there.

Gwalia is still a town where people live and are serviced by Leonora, 4km up the road. There are two parts, the Museum/Hoover House, and the ghost town. The museum costs $10 for an adult and $2 for and audio guide. An audio guide might be useful as there is A LOT of old stuff and you wouldn't really be able to guess what the significance of half the stuff would be. Part of the museum is Hoover House which was apparently designed by Herbert Hoover when he was a mine manager when Gwalia was in its hey-day. He went on to be the 31st president of the USA. Hoover House is also a B&B but I didn't ask about prices (looks beautiful though!). Also from the museum you can look down into one of the mines that are operational. When you pay you $10 you get a piece of paper that is probably useful when you go down to the ghost town. The old is down the hill from the museum and is all the old stuff from when a mine closed in 1967 and everyone packed their bags and lefts. I have heard that this was actually in another place and at some point and got moved to the current location in maybe the 80's (unsure). nevertheless, it really is cool seeing all the retro fridges and appliances...maybe your'e not into that.It took me about 2 hours to get around the whole thing with the audio guide and taking photos. , there is not really any disabled access, but I think a wheelchair could see the musuem with some helpful friends but probably won't get inside the houses in the ghost town. Being such an isolated place I thought I would be the only one there, but I actually saw at least 2 other small groups.

Avons visité cette ancienne ville minière avec son musée.Egalement la "Herbert Hoover House" dernier directeur de la mine d'or.