We set off from Sandstone to our last stop on the Great Escape 2024. Leonora, a town of about fifteen hundred. The trip of around two hundred and forty kilometres took about four hours as we chose not to take the Agnew Loop. We had previously travelled this route which had been narrow, dusty and extremely rough. So, instead, we continued to Leinster and turned south towards Leonora on the hardtop.
Arriving at Leonora Caravan Park, we discovered that expansion of donga accommodation had been significantly increased. Unfortunately, increased grass coverage had not been on the agenda, and as our stay continued, the dusty outdoors began to intrude into Will's interior. The glossy lustre of the Great Escape was beginning to wear a bit thin.
Even so, we loved our stay in the twin settlements of Leonora and Gwalia. Once more, we had received some confidential information about an old tip, which was duly visited with great fossicking enthusiasm over a couple of monumental days.
We also returned to Gwalia, which has never disappointed. This is a town that has been revived for over a hundred years on numerous occasions. The mine officially closed for a final time in December 1963...except that didn't happen. The mine re-opened, was placed in mothballs and then re-opened once more. Fast forward to 2024, The Sons of Gwalia mine is now owned to Genesis, who are currently drilling about two kilometres underneath Hoover House, built as the mine manager's home in the late 1890s. Part of the Gwalia Museum, Hoover House is a stunning example of Goldfields' architecture, beautifully appointed and completely restored. For a very reasonable tariff, visitors may stay in one of the three renovated bedroom at Hoover House. Do yourselves a favour, immense yourself in an overnight stay at Hoover House and you will not be disappointed.
In hindsight, Leonora was perhaps a bridge too far. We had enjoyed a fairly restful trip, albeit with a few mishaps, right up until Marble Bar. Then, on our way south, we had crammed too many stops into the latter part of the Great Escape. Note to selves - we are too old for this number of kilometres in a fairly shot space of time.
So, Gwalia and Leonora were definitely not to blame for our less than exuberant mood. We had underestimated our stamina to be able to do as much as we had done n the past. These wonderful twin towns are so worth a visit to explore their unique history.
Want a splendid taste of the Goldfields? Head north from Kalgoorlie to Menzies, Kookynie, Leonora and Sandstone.
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