Everything you need to know about Lake Ballard

Western Australia is blessed to have such an incredible, unique landscape - like white sandy beaches, waterfalls, and red outback deserts.

The state is also scattered with our famous, naturally occurring salt lakes, coming in all colours, shapes and sizes! One of our favourites is Lake Ballard, in the Goldfields region of the Golden Outback. Have you visited this incredible lake? Here are four facts about it to encourage you to put it on your bucket list as soon as possible!

It’s home to the world’s largest outdoor art gallery

A world-renowned British artist named Antony Gormley created a display of 51 steel statues based on residents from the nearby town of Menzies. The sculptures travelled 780km from the foundry in Perth to the site on Lake Ballard, and it took a team of 18 volunteers, 4 days to install all 51 sculptures.

These statues are scattered across 7 square kilometres of the vast, flat salt lake. There are no maps to find the sculptures - you have to go exploring for yourself. From a distance, these sculptures appear ghostly and almost like a mirage on the horizon, but as you approach, they come to live and stand tall like a human being.

Spend the better half of a day exploring these statues, walking from one to the other and soaking in the slightly eerie aura surrounding them! Watch their shadows change as the sun moves in the sky, changing the experience completely.

It’s a great place to camp

You can camp for free in the designated camp area after your day of exploring Lake Ballard. Night-time at the lake is an extraordinary experience. Watch the statues disappear into the darkness as the sky fills with stars and lights up above you. There is little light pollution out here, making the visibility of the stars easier as you sit back outside your tent and marvel at this incredible starry sight.

It is important to note that during school holidays and long weekends, camping space is at a premium and it can be difficult to get a spot due to its popularity. There are no drinking water facilities at the lake, so do ensure you are packed and prepared, however, there are toilets.

It changes with the seasons

Your experience at Lake Ballard can change dramatically between seasons. In summer the lake is dry, with hard earth and bright skies. Winter brings the cooler weather along with the rain and mud for a tactile experience.

Regardless of the season, the best time to see the lake and sculptures is at dawn or dusk to take advantage of the sunset or sunrise.

The view from the top is magical

Walking around the lake to view the sculptures up close is a great experience. You can also hike up the hill to experience breath taking views as far as the eye can see. Look down for a birds eye view of the sculptures or simply take in the vast goldfields landscape.

The path to the top can be a little tricky to find - but its worth the effort!