Discover Menzies: Gateway to Lake Ballard and the Heart of Western Australia’s Goldfields
Just one and a half hours north of Kalgoorlie lies Menzies, a small outback town with a big story. Founded in 1894 by prospector Lesley Robert Menzies, this once‑booming gold rush settlement swelled to more than 10,000 hopeful fortune‑seekers before settling into the quiet, character‑rich community it is today. What remains is a place where history lingers in the red dust, where heritage buildings stand proudly against vast desert skies, and where travellers can still feel the thrill of discovery.
Menzies is known as one of Western Australia’s most intriguing goldfields towns—an ideal stop for adventurers, culture lovers and anyone drawn to the raw beauty of the outback. Whether you’re exploring its historic streets or venturing west to the world‑famous Lake Ballard and Antony Gormley’s Inside Australia sculptures, Menzies offers a rare blend of art, history and wide‑open landscapes that feel truly unforgettable.
A Town Built on Gold and Grit
The legacy of the gold rush is etched into Menzies’ architecture, none more iconic than the Menzies Town Hall. Its clock tower is the subject of one of the Goldfields’ favourite legends: the original clock, shipped from England, was lost when the vessel carrying it sank off Rottnest Island. With the town’s future uncertain, a replacement was never ordered, leaving the tower famously clockless for a century. On New Year’s Eve 2000, a new clock was finally unveiled—marking a fresh chapter in the town’s story.
Today, Menzies remains a popular destination for gold prospecting and fossicking. Visitors can try their luck in the surrounding bushland, though permits are required. The thrill of uncovering a glint of gold continues to draw enthusiasts from around the world.
Lake Ballard & Inside Australia: A Landscape Like No Other
Fifty‑five kilometres west of Menzies lies Lake Ballard, a shimmering white salt lake that stretches to the horizon. It is here that internationally acclaimed artist Antony Gormley created Inside Australia, one of the most extraordinary open‑air galleries on Earth.
Commissioned for the 50th anniversary of the Perth International Arts Festival in 2003, the installation features 51 slender, haunting sculptures, each derived from laser scans of Menzies residents. Spread across 10 square kilometres of the lake’s surface, the figures appear to rise from the salt crust itself—silent, solitary and mesmerising in the shifting light.
Sunrise and sunset transform the lake into a canvas of pinks, golds and deep purples, making it a photographer’s dream and a deeply moving experience for visitors.
Things to Do in Menzies
- Explore the Menzies Town Hall
Admire its beautifully preserved façade and learn more about the town’s colourful past. - Visit Lake Ballard and Inside Australia
Walk among the sculptures, take in the vastness of the salt lake and enjoy spectacular outback sunsets. - Try Gold Prospecting
Join the long tradition of fossickers searching for gold in the surrounding bushland. - Discover Local Heritage Trails
Wander through remnants of the gold rush era and imagine life in the 1890s. - Relax at Local Eateries
Enjoy hearty bar meals at the Menzies Hotel or pick up takeaway from the service station.
How to Get There
Menzies is located 132 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie along the sealed Goldfields Highway. Travellers can reach Kalgoorlie by air, rail or road, then enjoy a scenic drive through classic outback landscapes to Menzies. Lake Ballard is accessible via a well‑maintained gravel road west of town.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to explore Menzies and Lake Ballard is during the cooler months from April to October, when daytime temperatures are mild and perfect for walking the lake or exploring heritage sites. Summer brings extreme heat, making early morning and late afternoon the most comfortable times for outdoor activities.
Visitor Information
Accommodation is available at the Menzies Hotel and the local caravan park, offering comfortable options for travellers. For maps, permits and local insights, the Shire of Menzies Visitor Information Centre, located inside the Town Hall, is an excellent first stop.