Yalgoo

Rural

Yalgoo is the perfect place to spot native Australian wildlife roaming free in its natural habitat. It’s where carpets of spring wildflowers stretch to the horizon, the legacy of the gold rush lives on and your outback adventure begins.

Situated on the historic Miners’ Pathway self-drive trail, you can drive from coast to outback in just two and a half hours from Geraldton, or from Perth city in six hours if you take the Morawa Yalgoo Road or Yalgoo Ninghan Road heading north.

If you’re making the journey between late July and September, you’ll get to witness the wonder of the everlastings – pretty pompom wildflowers that transform the outback into a sea of gold, cream, pink and white.

That said, nature lovers will find any time of year is a good time for wildlife spotting. This is your best chance to watch emus and kangaroos racing through the bush, wedge tailed eagles ride the thermals and lizards lounging in the sun.

On arriving in this historic town you’ll be struck by its gold rush heritage architecture – a legacy of the alluvial gold discovery in the 1890s. Step inside the old Court House, which now houses the museum, and step back in time to these heady days as you scan the old photos and artefacts.

At the end of Henty Street, you can admire a Spanish missionary masterpiece created by the prolific Monsignor John Hawes. He built the Convent Chapel in 1919 for the Dominican Sisters and today it stands proudly as a Yalgoo landmark.

Head 10 kilometres south of Yalgoo and you can admire the grit and determination of the early gold prospectors at Joker’s Tunnel. Here, the Jokers mining syndicate hand carved their way through layers of solid rock – the tunnel still stands as testament to their tenacity. It’s also a great location for spotting native wildlife.

To complete your outback experience, book a night or more at Yalgoo’s hotel, caravan park or camping ground.