Kambalda, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KambaldaWestern Australia |
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Shire of Coolgardie Office
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| Population | 2,468 (2021 census) |
| Established | Kambalda East (1967–1973) Kambalda West (1969–1975) |
| Postcode(s) | 6442 |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of Coolgardie |
| State electorate(s) | Kalgoorlie |
| Federal Division(s) | O'Connor |
Kambalda is a small mining town in Western Australia. It is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Kalgoorlie. The town is in the Goldfields area.
Kambalda is actually two towns: Kambalda East and Kambalda West. They are about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) apart. The town sits next to a huge salt lake called Lake Lefroy. In the last census, about 2,468 people lived in Kambalda.
Kambalda started in 1897. This was during a time when many people came to the area to search for valuable minerals. A person named Percy Larkin found gold here. For many years, people mined gold in Kambalda. Later, a different metal called nickel was discovered.
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History of Kambalda
Kambalda is in a dry area. It is on the land of the Galaagu people. The town is about 75 kilometres (47 mi) southeast of Coolgardie. It is also about 616 kilometres (383 mi) east of Perth. Kambalda tries to keep as many native plants as possible. This makes it different from other mining towns.
Kambalda West has the tourist office and local government offices. It is about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from Kambalda East.
Gold Discovery and Early Town
The first settlement in Kambalda grew after Percy Larkin found gold. This happened in December 1896. The town was officially named on December 10, 1897. A government surveyor named W. Rowley chose the name Kambalda.
The Red Hill Gold Mine started in 1897. But it did not last very long. By 1907, the mine closed. The small town then became a ghost town. An old well on George Cowcill Street is a reminder of the first town.
Nickel Discovery and New Growth
In 1954, George Cowcill found new interest in the area. He took samples of what he thought was uranium. Later tests showed there were large amounts of nickel instead.
By 1966, Western Mining Corporation opened Australia's first nickel mine here. This made Kambalda East and Kambalda West Australia's first nickel mining towns.
Today, Kambalda offers historical sites and modern services. You can visit the Red Hill Lookout. You can also drive across the causeway on Lake Lefroy. The town has shops and a skate park. There is also a 24-hour area for RVs. Kambalda is also known for its wild goats.
Kambalda Today
The first mining company in Kambalda was Western Mining Corporation. In 2005, a larger company called BHP Billiton took it over. Other mining companies in the area include Gold Fields, Lightning Nickel, and GHB.
The number of people living in Kambalda has been going down. This is likely because mining companies now use more "fly-in fly-out" workers. These workers fly in for their shifts and then fly out. They do not live in the town.
Fun Things to Do in Kambalda
Kambalda has some great attractions to visit.
Red Hill Lookout
The best attraction in Kambalda is the Red Hill Lookout. You can get there by following Gordon Adams Road. Red Hill has a walking trail called the Red Hill Walking Trail. From the top, you can see a great view of Lake Lefroy.
Lake Lefroy is a huge salt flat. It is about 510 km2 (200 sq mi) in size. It stretches far into the distance. The lake rarely fills with water. People often use the lake for land-sailing.
Memorial Garden and Miners Memorial Wall
Kambalda's Memorial Garden and Miners Memorial Wall are behind the Shire office in Kambalda West. The garden has a shady gazebo. It is surrounded by native plants and sweet-smelling roses. The Memorial Wall was built to remember miners. It honors those who lost their lives while working in Kambalda's mines.
King Battery Remains
You can also find the remains of King Battery in the Kambalda area. It is located on Woolibah station. The King Battery was used to process gold from local mines. Today, you can still see a tower and some brickwork. This brickwork once held a tailings wheel. People sometimes mistake it for a water paddle wheel. The King Battery area is also a good spot for bushwalking and picnics.
Annual Events
Each year, Kambalda hosts several events.
- December: Community Christmas Tree
Services in Kambalda
The town has many useful services for its residents. These include a supermarket, a post office, and a newsagency. There is also a public library, a hotel, and a recreation center. You can find a petrol station and two schools here. The ANZ Bank branch closed in September 2018.
The Kambalda Airport stopped regular flights in September 2015. This was due to a slowdown in the mining industry. As of June 2024, Aerlink, National Jet Express, and Skippers Aviation still operate charter flights for the nearby mines.
The Kambalda Health Centre is open six days a week. It has nursing staff available. Since November 2018, St John Health has a doctor available. The doctor is there Monday to Saturday, including until 9 pm on Thursday evenings. The Health Centre has emergency equipment. It also offers pathology services for tests.
There are also several defibrillators placed around both town sites.
