AGO Holiday Planner 2026

Gascoyne Murchison

BEST TIME TO VISIT APRIL TO SEPTEMBER

DESTINATIONS PAYNES FIND, CUE, WILUNA, MOUNT MAGNET, SANDSTONE, YALGOO, MEEKATHARRA

HIGHLIGHTS POVERTY FLATS, WALGA ROCK, LONDON BRIDGE, JOKERS TUNNEL, MOUNT MAGNET MINING AND PASTORAL MUSEUM, BARLANGI ROCK, TJKURBA ART GALLERY

MINERS PATHWAY ONLY FIVE DAYS SEALED ROADS

Meekatharra

Wiluna

Mount Magnet

Sandstone

Yalgoo

Paynes Find

Landscapes change from the golden hues of the Wheatbelt to red dirt as you head north, exploring prospecting towns from a bygone era. Go for gold Paynes Find is a former gold rush settlement named after Thomas Payne, the first to discover gold in the area. Various accommodation styles are bookable at the Paynes Find Roadhouse and Tavern. Next up, head for Mount Magnet, the longest surviving gold rush settlement in WA. Spend some time on the 37km tourist trail exploring old and new mine sites, abandoned settlements, and pioneer cemeteries. Then wander through the Mount Magnet Mining and Pastoral Museum with an incredible display. Give peace a chance In Cue, take time to admire the 1890s National Trust listed heritage buildings, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP TO BO OM Meekatharra Hotel, Yalgoo Dominican Chapel of St Hyacinth, Yalgoo welcome sign, London Bridge, Sandstone.

Perth

gateway for the Canning Stock Route and the western start of the Gunbarrel Highway. Before exploring these iconic 4WD journeys visit the Tjukurba Art Gallery and the Canning-Gunbarrel Discovery Centre. No joke Geology buffs should check out the Murchison GeoRegion trail which takes in 21 ancient sites and landmarks. Echoes of Yalgoo’s gold rush days can still be seen in its railway station, cemetery, chapel, and courthouse museum. Take a quick detour before the townsite to Joker’s Tunnel, carved through solid rock by early gold prospectors. Enjoy a taste of station life at Melangata Station Stay.

some still being used for their original purpose. Venture out of town to Walga Rock, home to the largest gallery of Aboriginal rock paintings in Western Australia. Enjoy outback hospitality at Nallan Station part of the WA Station Stays Program. Pub meals aplenty can be found in Meekatharra. Take in a bird’s eye view of the town from the lookout or discover Peace Gorge a short drive from the centre of town. Enjoy the cafe lifestyle of Sandstone with two cafes serving amazing coffee and locally baked treats. Keep an eye out for wandering kangaroos and emus. A must-see here is London Bridge, believed to be 350 million years old and shaped like a bridge. From Sandstone or Meekatharra head to Wiluna, and its brand-new caravan park. Wiluna is at the edge of the Desert, the southern

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HOLIDAY PLANNER 2026