Laverton

Laverton is a remote outback town in Western Australia's Goldfields region, known for its rich Aboriginal heritage, gold rush history, and stark desert landscapes. It's a gateway to the vast Great Victoria Desert and offers a genuine outback experience for travellers seeking solitude and raw natural beauty.

Highlights & What to See

• Laverton Heritage Trail: Explore historic buildings and sites that tell the story of the town's gold mining past, including the old post office and courthouse.
• Great Victoria Desert: Venture into one of Australia's most remote deserts, with stunning red sand dunes, salt lakes, and unique wildlife like the thorny devil.
• Lake Ballard: A surreal salt lake featuring Antony Gormley's 'Inside Australia' sculpture installation – 51 cast-iron figures spread across the vast white expanse.
• Aboriginal Rock Art: Discover ancient petroglyphs and ochre paintings at nearby sites such as the Wongawol and Mount Margaret areas, with permission from local communities.
• Laverton Museum: Housed in a former bank building, this small museum displays artefacts from the gold rush era and Indigenous culture.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend 1–2 days in Laverton, allowing time to explore the town's heritage trail and take a day trip to Lake Ballard (about 1.5 hours south). If you're heading into the Great Victoria Desert, plan for at least 3–4 days to experience the remote landscapes and camping. The best time to visit is during the cooler months from April to October, as summer temperatures can be extreme.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Leonora: A historic gold-mining town 120 km east, with the Gwalia Ghost Town and the Hoover House museum.
• Kalgoorlie-Boulder: The Goldfields' largest city, 250 km south, offering the Super Pit gold mine, historic architecture, and vibrant pub culture.
• Menangina Nature Reserve: A protected area with mallee scrub and salt lakes, ideal for birdwatching and wildflower spotting in spring.
• Mount Margaret Mission Ruins: An abandoned Aboriginal mission site with poignant history and interpretive signage.

Please check official sources for current details.