Bus set to drive new opportunities across the Goldfields

A new 12-seater bus is set to create new tourism, employment and community opportunities across the Goldfields, thanks to funding from the WA Nickel Community Fund.

The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Visitor Centre has received $356,000 through the Fund to purchase and fit the bus, which will enable delivery of new tourism experiences and community orientation services across the region.

Visitor Centre Manager Donna Malec said the project would build on the success of their popular tourist tram, helping more visitors discover what the Goldfields has to offer.

“People come here and they think there's nothing to do in Kalgoorlie, so we love encouraging visitors to jump on the tram and explore places they've never seen before,” she said.

“With the bus, we'll be able to create some new tours, including trips to Coolgardie and Menzies, while also creating opportunities for tour guides and other local jobs.”

Beyond tourism, the project will help support local businesses, create employment opportunities and strengthen community connectedness through the reintroduction of a relocation and orientation program for people moving to the region.

The program, previously offered before COVID-19, helped newcomers settle into the community, access local services and build local networks. The new bus will allow the service to return and expand, helping more people feel welcome while creating a sustainable revenue stream for the Visitor Centre.

The initiative closely aligns with the purpose of the WA Nickel Community Fund, which supports projects that help communities remain resilient, connected and economically strong. Once established, the project is expected to deliver hundreds of visitor and orientation experiences each year, encourage longer stays in the region and support a thriving Goldfields community for years to come.

Find out more in the video below: Kalgoorlie-Boulder Visitor Centre.mp4