Golden Quest Discovery Trail lures travellers

26/6/03
The popular Golden Quest Discovery Trail is proving an enticing drawcard for tourists seeking adventure in the rugged outback of the northern Goldfields.
Officially opened in March, the Golden Quest Discovery Trail is a 965km tourism circuit through historic towns including Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Coolgardie, Leonora, Laverton, Menzies, Kookynie and Ora Banda.
Goldfields-Esperance Minister Nick Griffiths said he was delighted with the interest shown by the travelling public and heartened that local businesses have benefited from the trail's inauguration.
"Predictably, comments from travellers have been extremely positive, because this is an area offering seclusion to city-based holiday-makers, natural scenic splendour and an opportunity to connect with the State's mining history.

"The northern Goldfields plays an important role in our bid to make WA one of the world's great tourism destinations."
More than 1,000 Golden Quest guide books, each with an informative audio CD containing colourful tales of a bygone era, have been sold State-wide.
Co-proprietor of the Kookynie Hotel, Kevin Pusey, suggested tourist numbers in the area had increased by as much 15 per cent since the trail was officially opened just 13 weeks ago.
Mr Pusey said many Goldfields residents were taking to different sections of the trail on weekends.
"The volume of traffic and tourist numbers have definitely increased, so overall the Golden Quest Trail has proved to be a positive innovation for all involved," Mr Pusey said.
In 2002, the Golden Quest Discovery Trail received a grant from the State Regional Infrastructure Funding Program for $182,000.
The grant was used to pay for infrastructure components and specifically the directional signage for the trail.
Other local companies to have benefited include Goldfields Sheet Metal for supply of picnic tables and chairs valued at $8,000.
Elders provided $3,000 worth of concrete. Hampton Transport received $2,500 for freighting infrastructure to various locations.
Minister's office: 9222 8950