Leonora

The living ghost town of Gwalia is an award-winning must-see for visitors and the doorway to a unique experience of Western Australia’s rich mining history. Leonora is now the service centre for mining, exploration and the well-established pastoral industry.

Table of Contents

Tower Street, the main street of Leonora

In 1869 explorer John Forrest and party, in search of the lost Leichardt Expedition, made camp near a hill and named it Mount Leonora in honour of his niece.

Twenty-five years on, prospectors moved through the area and by 1896 mining claims were pegged and gold discovered, leading to the establishment of the twin towns of Leonora and Gwalia, along with the smaller town of Malcolm. Leonora became the largest centre on the North Eastern Goldfields and by 1908 boasted 7 hotels, general stores, chemists, tailors and bakeries. Mining has continued until the present day with gold, and now nickel, being produced in large quantities.

“Leonora’s international fame will be forever associated with the young Herbert Hoover, who would go on to become the 31st President of the United States of America. In 1897-98, Hoover was the manager of the fledgling but ultimately very rich Sons of Gwalia gold mine, just south of the Leonora town site and in the shadow of Mt Leonora. Hoover actively encouraged the engagement of Italian and other southern Europeans as underground workers at the Sons of Gwalia mine site, and after Hoover left, a community of these migrant workers was established around the mine site that became known as Gwalia, Leonora’s twin town that would quickly necessitate a tramway connection. Today, Leonora and Gwalia offer visitors some very special insights into the life and times of the early Goldfields and its pioneers. And its hinterland provides many natural attractions that represent the environment into which the thousands of 1890s gold-seekers first ventured.” – goldenquesttrail.com

While the townsite of Malcolm is now a tourist site on the Golden Quest Discovery Trail, Gwalia is a popular tourist attraction with a lookout over the mine and Hoover House. Together with the Leonora Heritage Trail and the scenic views from the Terraces, Leonora is well worth a visit.

Leonora also provides any services travellers may require before heading through the Northern Goldfields.

Contact Details

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Website: Visit Website
Contact: Shire of Leonora
Email: library@leonora.wa.gov.au
Address: 69 Tower Street, Leonora, Western Australia
Phone: (08) 9037 7122
Phone: (08) 9037 6044
Social Media: Facebook Instagram

Things to See and Do

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Attraction

ANZAC Memorial

66 Tower Street, Leonora
Western Australia

On ANZAC Day 2005, the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Memorial was erected with support from the local […]

Type
History and Heritage

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Attraction

Brenton See Mural

157 Gwalia Street, Leonora
Western Australia

These magnificent murals are part of the schools Two Way Science – Learning on Country, project where students bring Ngalia […]

Type
Arts and Culture

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Attraction

Food Van Cafe

72A Tower Street, Leonora
Western Australia

Home made pastries, gluten free food and Lavazza coffee. Come in and say Hi!

Type
Food and Drink

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Attraction

Golden Quest Discovery Trail

Goldfields-Esperance
Western Australia

Spanning a distance of 965km through the Goldfields of Western Australia, the trail provides travellers with a unique insight into […]

Type
Trails

Read more info about Golden Quest Discovery Trail
Attraction

Gwalia Ghost Town and Museum

Tower Street, Leonora
Western Australia

This living ghost town of Gwalia is the doorway to a unique experience of Western Australia’s rich mining history. The […]

Type
History and Heritage

Read more info about Gwalia Ghost Town and Museum
Attraction

Gwalia Headframe

Tower Street, Leonora
Western Australia

Built in 1899, the Gwalia Headframe was used for transporting miners, gold-bearing ore and even horses up and down to […]

Type
History and Heritage

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Attraction

Gwalia Mural

16A Tower Street, Leonora
Western Australia

Get your photo taken alongside this stunning mural when you visit the Gwalia Museum! Painted over a number of months […]

Type
Arts and Culture
History and Heritage

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Attraction

Gwalia State Hotel

23 Station Street, Leonora
Western Australia

The Gwalia State Hotel was established by the State Government way back in 1902, to combat the sly grog trade […]

Type
History and Heritage

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Attraction

Hoover House Bed and Breakfast

1127 Gwalia Street, Gwalia
Western Australia

Once the grand home of the managers of the Sons of Gwalia Gold Mine, Hoover House is now a luxury […]

Type
Accommodation
Food and Drink
History and Heritage

Read more info about Hoover House Bed and Breakfast