AGO Holiday Planner 2026

UNCOVER THE REGION’S MOST BIZARRE AND EXTRAORDINARY ATTRACTIONS

By Julia D’Orazio

SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND: THE GOLDEN TICKET

THERE ISN'T ANY OTHER PLACE LIKE THE GOLDFIELDS REGION IN AUSTRALIA’S GOLDEN OUTBACK. WHILE MOST OF THE REGION IS COVERED IN RED DIRT, CONCEALING EARTH'S RICHES, IF YOU DELVE DEEPER, YOU'LL SOON REALISE IT IS A PLACE MOST UNUSUAL AND UNIQUE, HOME TO ALL SORTS OF RARE FINDS. Discover another side to this region with these offbeat attractions as rare as gold itself. VISIT THE WORLD’S MOST REMOTE ART INSTALLATION There’s nowhere quite like Lake Ballard. Standing tall along the dry salt lake are 51 human sculptures designed by acclaimed British artist Sir Antony Gormley for the 2003 exhibition “Inside Australia”. Dotted over a 10-square kilometre stretch, the life-size metal artworks were modelled on residents of Menzies, 51 kilometres east of Lake Ballard. Simply striking.

SEE ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST UNUSUAL ARTWORKS If Western Australia had a masterpiece to rival the Mona Lisa, the Goatcher Curtain would be it. The rare, scene stealing artwork takes centre stage in Boulder Town Hall, located along the heritage precinct, Burt Street. Named after its creator, the renowned English theatre artist Philip Goatcher, the 6.25 metres high and 8.44 metres wide mural, painted in 1908, deceives the eye with its realistic, 3D-like appearance. The textile illustration depicts red velvet curtains and white satin drapes in a half-pulled state. The "curtains" border an elaborate gold frame which reveals a window to Italy's Bay of Naples: a dreamy scene, fishing boats and Mount Vesuvius separated by an inviting blue sea. To view Boulder's pièce de résistance , join a one-hour guided tour of Boulder Town Hall, where you'll also be shown the ropes backstage (literally) with the theatre's original pulley system, which is still in use.

Location: Boulder Town Hall Tour: 10:30am, Tuesday and Thursday Price: From $8

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP TO BO OM Antony Gormley sculptures, Lake Ballard, the Goatcher Curtain at the Boulder Town Hall, Broad Arrow Tavern, Kanowna, Nullarbor Links golf course, Gwalia Ghost Town.

Location: Lake Ballard

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AUSTRALIA'S GOLDEN OUTBACK