Kambalda

Kambalda is located 130 kilometres north of Norseman and 58 kilometres south of Kalgoorlie. Prior to European settlement the Kambalda area was known to be within the traditional tribal lands of the Galaagu people.

Kambalda's first modern settlement was located at the base of nearby Red Hill in 1897. The original Red hill settlement owed its existence to a prospector named Percy Larkin who discovered rich shoots of gold in the area. Larkin's discovery immediately sparked a gold rush and during the next 10 years the Red Hill goldfield produced over 30,000 ounces of gold. During the field's existence a number of fabulous mineral specimens were discovered, including the legendary Golden Butterfly which was said to be a perfect replica of its namesake. By 1908 Red Hill's rich shoots of gold had become depleted and the settlement soon reverted to native bushland.

For many years prospectors largely ignored further exploration of the Kambalda area, however two that didn't were John Morgan and George Cowcill. In 1954, Morgan and Cowcill presented an unusual rock specimen to the Kalgoorlie School of Mines. Morgan and Cowcill hoped the mineral would be identified as some form of uranium bearing mineral. As it turned out the School of Mines identified the specimen as "Gossan" - a green nickel bearing ore. Ten years later, Morgan and Cowcill showed their Gossan specimen to Roy Woodall - a mining geologist with Western Mining Corporation. Woodall appreciated the significance of the find and WMC soon commenced an exploratory drilling program to prove up Kambalda's nickel reserves. By 1966 Kambalda's Silver Lake Mine had commenced production thereby sparking Australia's great nickel boom of the 1960s. Whilst speculative fortunes were won and lost on the Australian Stock Exchange, Kambalda's nickel mine proved to be an enduring and commercially viable operation. Today Kambalda's prosperity continues to rely on nickel mining with much of its ore being processed and smelted at the nearby Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter.

Understandably many of Kambalda's residents proudly proclaim their pivotal role in the birth of Australia's modern nickel mining industry.

A Good Subject for Landscape Artists

Kambalda Visitor Information

Visitor information for Kambalda is available from the Shire of Coolgardie office on Irish Mulga Drive, Kambalda West - phone (08) 9080 2111.

Kambalda Accommodation

Kambalda Hotel & The Nickel Bar is at 26 Bluebush Road, Kambalda West, near the Kambalda Plaza shopping centre - phone (08) 9027 1333.

Kambalda's caravan park on Gordon Adams Road has closed. The nearest caravan parks are in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, 58 km north.

Kambalda Travelers Facilities

Kambalda is a pleasant and modern town with a resident population of about 3500 people. Kambalda really consists of 2 town centres, often referred to as Kambalda East and Kambalda West. Kambalda West has the Post Office, Woolworths and takeaway food shops. Fuel is available 24 hours at the BP on the Goldfields Highway, at the corner of Emu Rocks Road.

Kambalda Attractions

Located behind the Shire office in Kambalda West is the local Lions Park children's adventure playground and some coin operated barbecues.

Kambalda's best attraction is the Red Hill Lookout. Red Hill Lookout is accessed by following Gordon Adams Road. Red Hill has a bushwalking trail (Red Hill Walking Trail) and from the summit travelers will have a bird's eye view of nearby Lake Lefroy and Kambalda East. Nullarbor Net recommends you bring your camera as the views really are magnificent. An added bonus is that the area also has 4 undercover picnic tables and seats at strategic points along the trail. If you are on the road, Red Hill Lookout might well be a good spot to eat your lunch.

Red Hill

Kambalda's Memorial Garden and Miners' Memorial Wall are situated behind the Shire office in Kambalda West. The Garden has a shady gazebo surrounded by native plants and scented roses. The Memorial Wall was built in honour of those who had lost their lives whilst working in Kambalda's mines.

Also located within the Kambalda area are the remains of King's Battery. Located on Woolibah station the 20 stamp King's Battery was employed to process gold bearing ores from local gold mines. Today all that remains of the original operation is a tower and some Flemish brickwork which housed a water paddle wheel for sluicing gold tailings. The King's Battery area also provides a venue for bushwalking and picnic activities.

For those of you who feel the need for speed, nearby Lake Lefroy provides plenty of opportunities to go land sailing. According to locals, when wind conditions are right land sailers can achieve speeds of 100 kilometres an hour - just centimetres above Lake Lefroy's dry salt pans.

Prices and rates change often out here, so we no longer list them on this page — please phone ahead for current rates. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

Widgie Tavern & Roadhouse at Widgiemooltha, a very small settlement on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway south of Kambalda, is open 7.30 am to 8.30 pm every day - phone 0427 752 979.

Kambalda: common questions

Is there a caravan park in Kambalda?

Not any more - the Kambalda Caravan Park on Gordon Adams Road has closed. The nearest caravan parks are in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, 58 km north.

Is there 24-hour fuel at Kambalda?

Yes - the BP on the Goldfields Highway, at the corner of Emu Rocks Road, is open 24 hours.

Where can I stay in Kambalda?

Kambalda Hotel & The Nickel Bar at 26 Bluebush Road, Kambalda West - phone (08) 9027 1333.

What is there to see in Kambalda?

Red Hill Lookout, reached along Gordon Adams Road, has a walking trail and views over Lake Lefroy and Kambalda East. Land sailors race across Lake Lefroy's dry salt pans.

Where is Kambalda?

In the WA Goldfields, 58 km south of Kalgoorlie on the road to Norseman.

Checked in October 2026 against each business's current listing and the town's community website. Hours and facilities can change, so phone ahead before relying on them. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.