This is a sealed-road itinerary to Laverton when the route is open. Journeys beyond Laverton into remote country need separate planning.
Destination weather
Laverton forecast
Shape the day
| Stage | Approximate distance | Planning point |
|---|---|---|
| Kalgoorlie to Menzies | 130 km | First town visit and a break. |
| Menzies to Leonora | 100 km | Supplies, fuel planning and time for Gwalia. |
| Leonora to Laverton | 125 km | Final highway leg and accommodation arrival. |
The rounded legs total about 355 km; allow about 360 km for the town-to-town journey, with additional distance for your addresses and detours.
Menzies and the Lake Ballard choice
Stop in Menzies for a walk and local advice. If you have not visited Broad Arrow, it is another possible stop earlier in the day, but choose your priorities before setting off.
Lake Ballard is 51 km west of Menzies. Visiting and returning to town adds more than 100 km before you continue north. If the sculptures are important to you, use the Menzies and Lake Ballard guide and spread the journey over another day.
Leonora and Gwalia
Leonora is a practical place to pause before the eastbound leg. Confirm the fuel and supplies you need, then decide how much time to give Gwalia.
Gwalia Ghost Town and Museum preserves buildings and collections connected with the mining community. The buildings and collections merit time to explore. Check the precinct's opening and access information before planning the visit.
Keep to public visitor areas. The heritage precinct and nearby working mining areas have different access arrangements.
Continuing to Laverton
Follow the main Leonora-Laverton Road for this itinerary. Old Laverton Road and other alternatives shown on a map need their own assessment and should not be substituted casually.
In Laverton, the Great Beyond Visitor Centre is a useful starting point for exploring the town and planning onward travel. Check its hours, your accommodation and meal options before arrival.
A same-day return to Kalgoorlie would involve roughly 720 km before detours. For a sightseeing trip, an overnight stay gives you much more room for stops and rest.
Beyond Laverton
The Great Central Road and other remote routes are separate journeys. Check the roads, fuel range, communications, vehicle suitability and access permissions for the exact itinerary.
The Shire's Outback Way guidance links to the relevant permit authorities. Use their current requirements and obtain the necessary permissions before entering restricted land. A permit does not override a road closure.
Road and fuel checks
Use the road-condition guide, including Menzies, Leonora and Laverton reports for the parts of the journey they cover. Read restrictions against the named road section and your vehicle type.
Plan potential fuel stops in Kalgoorlie, Menzies, Leonora and Laverton, then verify the particular station and product you need. Fuel availability and station hours need separate confirmation.
Places worth a stop
Pause by the Menzies Town Hall and clock tower on Shenton Street. The stone municipal building gives the main street a clear link to the gold-rush town. It fits into the Menzies stop itself. Lake Ballard is a separate, optional side trip 51 km west of town.
At Gwalia Ghost Town and Museum, walk among former miners’ cottages, then visit the mine precinct with its headframe, winding machinery and steam locomotive. This is a side trip from the Goldfields Highway near Leonora. Return to the main route for Laverton and allow extra time to explore the two parts of the site.
Remote-trip connectivity
Using Starlink Roam on Goldfields drives
Starlink Roam can be useful when a caravan park, campsite or overnight stop has weak mobile reception or unreliable shared Wi-Fi. With suitable power and a clear view of the sky, it can provide internet for route and weather checks, messages, video calls and remote work while you are stopped.
Where it helps
- Checking road alerts, weather and the next fuel or accommodation stop before moving on.
- Keeping several phones, tablets or laptops connected at camp without depending on one mobile hotspot.
- Working or making video calls from longer caravan stays where local Wi-Fi is congested or unavailable.
Requirements and limits
Starlink needs power, a suitable plan and a clear view of the sky. Trees, buildings and some camp layouts can obstruct it. Do not rely on internet service as your only emergency system, and never stop in an unsafe place just to get connected. In-motion availability depends on the hardware, plan, location and Starlink’s current terms.
A$220Cash or service credit
Eligible new Australian Residential/Roam customers, after two months of service.
Referral: Kalgoorlie.info earns the same reward. Credit by default. Cash, where offered, requires Stripe identity verification and a linked bank account.
Not for existing or returning customers, retailer purchases or account transfers.
View Starlink offerPractical FAQ
Common questions
Is the main route sealed?
The itinerary uses Goldfields Highway and Leonora-Laverton Road. It does not include the unsealed loops and remote tracks that may appear in wider touring guides.
Can I fit Gwalia and Lake Ballard into one travel day?
You would be adding both extra driving and substantial visiting time. Spread them across an overnight itinerary if you want to enjoy both.
Does reaching Laverton mean I am prepared for the Outback Way?
No. Complete a separate plan for the remote section, including road reports, permits and vehicle requirements.
Official travel information
Information Sources
- Main Roads WA Travel Map Live WA road closures, incidents and caution notices.
- FuelWatch WA Current WA fuel prices and fuel-station checks.
- Emergency WA Bushfire, storm, flood and other emergency warnings.
- Bureau of Meteorology Official Kalgoorlie forecast and weather warnings.
- Shire of Menzies road report Current Shire road conditions and closures.
- Shire of Leonora road report Current Shire road conditions and closures.
- Shire of Laverton road condition reports Current Shire road conditions and closures.
- Gwalia Official heritage-site visitor information.
- Shire of Laverton - The Outback Way Remote-route context beyond Laverton; separate preparation is required.