Visiting Lake Ballard? Here’s What You Need to Know
Lake Ballard is quite unlike anywhere else in Australia. A vast white salt plain, stretching for 50 kilometres into the distance.
But it’s not just the size or colour that makes it so special. It’s the world’s largest outdoor art gallery, home to 51 individually cast steel sculptures made by renowned artist Antony Gormley.
It’s a haunting place you have to experience at least once in your life.
Where is Lake Ballard?
Lake Ballard is just over 200km north of Kalgoorlie, near the town of Menzies.
The best way to get there is to drive. It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes, one-way, so it’s not a quick trip, and ideally one you’d spend a day on.
Alternatively, there are a number of bus tours that depart from Kalgoorlie. These services take you out there, with a guided tour to give you more information than what you’d get on a self-guided experience.
The best time to visit Lake Ballard
Despite being in the outback, Lake Ballard changes with the seasons.
Over summer, the hot, searing sun hardens the ground so it’s cracked and dry, and covered in a salty residue. The weather is just as hot, even in the early morning and at night.
In winter, rain softens the crust that built up over the lake, and stepping across the ground leaves dramatic footprint trails through the mud. The weather is cooler, and when it rains, a sheet of water covers the earth, creating some truly spectacular reflections of the sculptures.
The best time to go is in the shoulder seasons, either in Autumn or Spring. The temperature hasn’t completely heated up, and the weather is more stable, creating an almost romantic atmosphere at the lake.
For photography, the best time to go is early morning, afternoon, or evening, when the sun is lower. This makes the 51 steel statues cast long, ghostly shadows over the ground, silhouetting them against the orange sky.
Things to do at Lake Ballard
See Inside Australia
The main drawcard for Lake Ballard is Antony Gormley’s Inside Australia sculptures. The 51 steel sculptures are tall, spindly things, each one based on a resident from the nearby town of Menzies. It’s a phenomenal undertaking, scattered across seven kilometres of the lake’s salty surface.
From a distance, they appear as if a mirage, ghostly figures that become clearer and more pronounced as you get closer. Walking around, each one feels like it has its own personality, the landscape seemingly changing as you move around and look at them from different angles.
It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience, and takes around half a day to see them all, so give yourself time to do it right.
Make the most of this unique photography location
The statues lend themselves to some eerie yet magical photography.
Stunning, striking images from any angle, close-ups, allow you to capture the absurdity of the designs. Go further away and contrast them against the stark emptiness of the landscape, or step back further still to create a ghostly image imbued with unease – yet somehow comforting at the same time.
Lake Ballard is a constantly evolving canvas that’s a delight for photographers.
Walk around Lake Ballard
Strap on your hiking boots and go for a walk around Lake Ballard. Allow at least two or three hours to hike the area, and be sure to walk up the hill in the centre. This rounded dome gives you a bird’s-eye view of the sheer size and scale of the lake. And while the path to the top can be a little tricky and slippery, the view is well worth it.
Go stargazing
Given its distance from Kalgoorlie, it can be tiring getting out to Lake Ballard and back in one day. So why not try camping? Bring a tent or a swag and set up at one of the camping spaces that are scattered around the lake. One of our favourite Kalgoorlie nighttime activities, camping overnight, gives you the chance to see the lake both at the setting sun and when it rises.
But it also gives you the truly special experience of stargazing. Seeing the stars at Lake Ballard is a sight to behold. You get a vast, unspoiled view of the heavens, with no lights around you, nothing but the skies and stars above.
You definitely don’t get this view in the city.
How to prepare for your trip
Lake Ballard feels as far away from anything as you can get, so make sure you’re prepared for your trip.
- Ensure your car has a full tank of fuel to get you there and back.
- Bring sturdy walking shoes.
- Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sun protection—including sunglasses, as the glare can really cause your eyes to sting.
- As you’re in the middle of a desert, be sure to bring plenty of water and any food or snacks you might need for the trip.
- If you’re going overnight, bring warm clothes. It can get cold out in the desert when the sun goes down.
- Bring a camera, too, to capture the majesty of the statues.
When you do go, it’s important to be a responsible visitor.
- Don’t drive on the lake: there are designated spaces to park your car or leave your tent.
- Obey the principles of leaving no trace, and take any rubbish back with you.
- Be mindful of the remote location, and let someone know that you’re there and when you expect to return.
Experience the beauty of Lake Ballard
Whether you’re there for the day, just a few hours, or choose to camp out overnight, Lake Ballard is an unforgettable experience, and one of our favourite things to do in Kalgoorlie.
When you get back to town, make sure you have somewhere comfortable and inviting to stay, and book a room with us at the Plaza Hotel Kalgoorlie. We love talking about what to do during your time here, and our friendly team can give you their best recommendations on how to make the most of your trip.
