Lake Ballard — Gormley Sculpture Salt Lake Bush Camping

Lake Ballard is a huge salt lake in Western Australia’s Goldfields, about an hour’s drive from the old mining town of Menzies. Out on the crust stand 51 steel figures by artist Antony Gormley, part of the Inside Australia installation. At sunrise and sunset they throw long shadows across a flat white horizon that goes on forever. Camping is simple bush camping near the lake edge, managed by the Shire of Menzies. Bring your own water, food and shade, and take every scrap of rubbish out with you. Check with the Menzies shire or visitor info about current facilities and rules before you go.

The road in is gravel and generally manageable in a regular 4WD or high-clearance rig when dry. Rain can close it and turn the lake margin into a bog, so don’t drive onto the salt when it’s wet. Cell service is non-existent out there. Fuel up in Menzies or Kalgoorlie, carry extra water, and tell someone where you’re headed. Cooler months from autumn through spring are the sane time to go. Have a dirty day.

Salt flat camping among 51 steel sculptures