Perth Mint tour: Ticket prices, opening hours & why visit?

The Gold Exhibition at the Perth Mint shows off Western Australia’s gold mining heritage, and the Perth Mint gold pour demonstration is spectacular.

To book a Perth Mint tour, including the gold pour, step this way.

For more information, read on…

Perth Mint: Central Perth’s top attraction?

Central Perth is rapidly improving. The laneways are booming with street art and bars, while Yagan Square and Elizabeth Quay have provided two new focal points. But it’s hard to deny that there aren’t all that many attractions in Perth CBD.

Arguably the best of these central Perth attractions, however, is the Perth Mint. The Government-owned institution produces commemorative coins and bullion. It also acts as both a depository and trading centre.

Save your place – book tickets for the Perth Mint tour now.

Gold Exhibition at the Perth Mint

But while being a working mint, there’s also a museum section that delves into all things gold. The Gold Exhibition at the Perth Mint traces the history of gold in Western Australia and has a couple of fairly awesome set pieces. By the reception are a few of the medals from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, which were made at the Mint. But the history goes back a lot further than the turn of the 21^st century.

Western Australia’s first gold was found in Coolgardie in 1892. The state’s population more than trebled in the next four years as people flocked to cash in. Soon after, the world’s “richest mile” was discovered in Kalgoorlie.

There are plenty of attractions in Kalgoorlie that tell the story of this Australian gold rush town. Check out Hannans North Tourist Mine, the Museum of the Goldfields and the Superpit tours. But if you don’t want to drive from Perth to Kalgoorlie for this, the Perth Mint is an accessible substitute.

DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅

✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.

Why the Perth Mint exists

As the Western Australian goldfields boomed, it seemed sensible to mint the gold in Perth rather than send everything back to London. The Perth Mint was born.

After the brief history lesson in the Gold Exhibition, visitors are led through to a mocked-up prospector’s camp. Here at the Perth Mint, some gold nuggets are on display. Unfortunately, they’re painted polystyrene models.

One of the big beasts – the Hand of Faith – was found in rural Victoria. It is the largest nugget in the world today (other larger ones have been broken down). The real version is on display at the fittingly-named Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.

Perth Mint tour and gold pour

There’s also a collection of gold bar, and the opportunity to see how much your bodyweight in gold would be worth. But the real highlight of the tour is the Perth Mint gold pour.

Gold pouring demonstration at the Perth Mint. Photo courtesy of Tourism Western Australia

The demonstrator stands by a 1,300 degree furnace with $200,000-worth of molten gold. He pulls it out of in a clay crucible, and brushes the crucible against his Kevlar glove to demonstrate just how hot it is. The sizzling sound is terrifying.

He then proceeds very carefully, pouring the gold into a mould. The bar takes five to ten seconds to solidify, then is dunked in water to cool. Very soon, the reformed bar is cool enough to be touched by a bare hand.

Perth Mint tour prices

There’s an element of magic tricks to the Perth Mint gold pour, but it’s engrossingly impressive to watch.

Tours of the Perth Mint cost $22 at time of writing. Book tickets online.

Perth Mint opening hours

The Perth Mint shop is open every day from 09.00 to 17.00. There are six tours per day, which run hourly from 09.30 to 14.30. To secure a place, bookings should be made online.

Other things to do in Perth include Segway tours, taking a stargazing tour to the Pinnacles Desert and enjoying a Fremantle lunch cruise.