Take a tour of The Super Pit
You haven’t done Kalgoorlie if you haven’t gazed into The Super Pit from above! Recognised as one of Australia’s biggest open-cut gold mines, the Super Pit produces around 800,000 ounces annually.
The Kalgoorlie Super Pit is famous for a reason. To believe it, you must see the gigantic open-pit mine, with its sheer size and scale.
It’s an iconic Kalgoorlie experience, so here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your time there.
The origin of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit
The Kalgoorlie Super Pit, or Fimiston Open Pit, is a big gold mine near Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
Northern Star operates the Super Pit as part of its Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) Operations.
To understand the history of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit, we need to go back to the origins of Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields. Its history stretches back to 1893, after a prospector named Paddy Hannan found 100 ounces of gold.
After Paddy’s discovery, many people travelled to Kalgoorlie to try their luck, starting the gold rush.
Mines of all sizes quickly sprang up in Kalgoorlie, which created the renowned ‘Golden Mile’; people all over Australia recognised the stretch of land for yielding exceptionally abundant gold deposits.
While many of these mines turned a profit, many others closed. In 1989, KCGM bought out all the mines along the Golden Mile. There were around 260 leases in total, and they were combined to make the Kalgoorlie Super Pit.
Today, Kalgoorlie’s Super Pit is one of the world’s richest gold sources. Experts* estimate it holds more than 8.1 million ounces of gold, accounting for 8% of Australia’s gold production.
Mining occurs through conventional drilling and blasting, with haul trucks travelling around the site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each year, workers move around 15 million tonnes of rock.
How big is the Kalgoorlie Super Pit?
Many people say you can see the Super Pit from space, and that’s not surprising given its vast size.
The Super Pit is approximately 3.5 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide, and 700 metres deep. From the top, the mammoth haul trucks driving around look like toys.
Despite its immense size, the company continues to expand the mine. This expansion occurs underground, where workers diligently drill and cut to prolong the mine’s lifespan.
Visiting the Kalgoorlie Super Pit Lookout
To get a good idea of the Super Pit’s size, the best place to see it is from the top.
The Super Pit Lookout is on Outram Street. It is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and parking is available next door.
Here, you can watch the massive trucks at work and see the mine in action up close.
One of the most thrilling times to visit the Super Pit Lookout is during a scheduled blast. Watch as explosives shake the ground, sending dirt and rock flying. It’s an unforgettable experience for both kids and adults.
For safety reasons, authorities may prohibit the public from watching during certain blasts. When this happens, they will temporarily close the Lookout, so check KCGM’s website for blast times and don’t miss the action.
Take a guided tour
If you want to get closer to the Super Pit’s workings, Kalgoorlie Tours offers guided tours of the mine itself.
A 1.5-hour tour runs Monday through Friday. During the tour, you travel along the haul roads on site, brushing shoulders with the massive haul trucks.
You can see the old miners’ tunnels and shafts. You will get a clear explanation of how mining works. You will also learn how miners extract gold from the ore.
An experienced guide will be on hand to answer your questions about the pit.
Learn more about the Kalgoorlie Super Pit
The Kalgoorlie Super Pit is a sight that lives up to its name. So the next time you stay with us, chat with our friendly front desk team and learn more about this iconic Kalgoorlie attraction.
What to know before you go
Take in the majesty of the Super Pit at the KCGM Super Pit Lookout. Just a seven-minute drive away from our hotel in Kalgoorlie, head south along Egan Street to Boulder Road. Turn left on Boulder Road, and follow it along until you hit Row Street. Turn left, then a quick right on to Goldfields Highway, and it’s just a four-minute drive along the Highway. Turn left at Outram Street, and follow the signs until you reach the Lookout.
Viewing the Super Pit from the KCGM Super Pit Lookout is free. But if you want to really experience the Super Pit, check out the guided tours that operate daily, Monday to Friday. Tours depart at 9am and 1pm daily.
They go for approximately 2.5 hours, and cost:- $90 per adult
- $50 per child (4-16 years old)
- $250 for a family pass (2 adults and 2 children)
It’s best to book at least 2 days in advance to ensure you save your spot. Head to kalgoorlietours.com.au to book your ticket and learn more about this unique experience.
The Super Pit Lookout is open 7 days a week, from 7am to 7pm. And while it’s quite impressive to view just before sunset, for those who really want to see the action, the best time to visit is when a live blast occurs. The Super Pit website has details of the next scheduled blast, so make sure to look this up and keep it on your next Kalgoorlie travel itinerary.
If you’re looking to take a tour of the Super Pit, don’t forget to book in advance, as you can’t be sure of a spot otherwise. It’s recommended that you show up to your guided tour at least 15 minutes early, so everything runs on time.
For the tour, though, while you don’t need to bring any safety equipment, you do need to wear fully enclosed shoes with socks, long sleeves that cover your wrists, and long pants that cover the ankles.
To help protect against dust and dirt, disposable coveralls can be purchased for $5 each from your tour operator.