The Golden Outback
Old stock routes and gold-rush history through the WA Wheatbelt and Goldfields.
2 tracks & drives
The Golden Outback covers WA's Wheatbelt and Goldfields — Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie, and the old stock and gold-rush routes that connect them, including the historic Holland Track between Broomehill and Coolgardie. It's a quieter, less-touristed alternative to the northwest circuits, with genuine outback character but shorter fuel gaps and a more forgiving climate window than the Kimberley or Pilbara.
The Holland Track itself is sandy, historic, and best suited to a properly equipped 4WD and off-road camper rather than a standard caravan — it was cut in the 1890s as a gold-rush shortcut and retains that rough, narrow character. Sealed alternatives (the Great Eastern Highway through Kalgoorlie) let less-equipped rigs still experience the region's mining-town history and pub culture without the sand.
Autumn through spring (April–October) avoids the worst of the inland heat; the region's low rainfall means tracks are passable across a wider window than the tropical north, but sand and heat both argue against a summer crossing.
Tracks & drives in The Golden Outback
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Common questions about The Golden Outback
- Can I do the Holland Track in a standard caravan?
- No — it's a sandy, historic 4WD track best suited to a genuine off-road camper or van behind a capable 4WD. Standard caravans should stick to the sealed Great Eastern Highway route through Kalgoorlie instead.
- What's the best season for the Goldfields region?
- April to October — outside the hottest summer months, when both the sand tracks and the general inland heat become harder going.
Bec travels solo in a Troopcarrier with a camper on the back, chasing empty free camps and dark skies across the top end and the Kimberley. She writes about self-sufficiency: water, solar, staying legal and staying safe a long way from the nearest town.
Solo traveller; Troopy + off-road camper; 5 years remote WA/NT