Preparation And Planning

Before you set out:

• Mobile phone coverage can be quite limited – do not rely on this always being available!
• Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
• Be sure to pack water, fuel, spare tyre(s), tools, a tow rope and a shovel (at least).
• Consider carrying a satellite phone or an EPIRB, in case of emergency.

Fuel & Food:

• Leonora & Leinster
• Agnew - Limited options

Other Important Information:

• These trails pass through a number of active pastoral properties – please do not travel off-road without the prior permission of the owner or manager.
• Enjoy trying to ‘strike it rich’ – but do keep off active mining leases.
• Old mine workings can be extremely dangerous. Be very careful, as many shafts are unmarked and unstable. In particular, keep children close to you at all times.
• If you’re travelling with a pet dog never let it roam free. Baits containing 1080 poison have been scattered throughout the region to control wild dogs and foxes.

Road Conditions:

• Large parts of these trails are on gravel roads (well in excess of 50%)
• These are generally in good condition, but can suffer after either rain or prolonged dry spells.
• Watch for bog holes (when wet) and bull dust and/or corrugations when dry.
• Creek crossings can be washed out – always slow down as damage can be hard to see.
• If possible, check with the Shire of Leonora before setting out.
• Do not drive past a ‘Road Closed’ sign! You may be liable for the cost of repairs.
• While travel in a 2wd vehicle is quite possible, with care, a 4wd is preferable
• The sealed section up the Goldfields Highway to Leinster is always accessible to all vehicles.

Driving Safely:

• On all unsealed roads a maximum speed of 80kph is recommended.
• Watch carefully for livestock and wildlife, especially near dawn or dusk.
• Avoid driving at night, unless absolutely necessary.
• Dust will often indicate oncoming traffic – slow down, and move to the side of the road.
• If you break down or have an accident stay with your vehicle!

Accommodation

Leonora

• Central Hotel
  Motel wing has 12 self contained motel units with double bed accommodation in all units. Hotel has 8 standard single rooms air-conditioned with shared bathroom. Dining room offers meals 6.00pm – 8.30pm daily. Lounge, bars and beer garden.
  Tower St (Goldfields Hwy) Leonora
  Ph: (08) 9037 6042
  Fax: (08) 9037 6609
  Mail: PO Box 10, Leonora WA 6438

• Hoover House Bed & Breakfast
  Just 3km from Leonora town centre in the Gwalia historic precinct, this superb B&B was built in 1898 by Herbert Hoover, later 31st President of the United States. It has 3 spacious high quality rooms with ensuites and a shady verandah. Continental breakfast is included.
  Kane St Gwalia
  Ph:(08) 9037 7122
  Fax: (08) 9037 7122
  Email:museum@gwalia.org 
  Web:www.gwalia.org.au
• Leonora Caravan Park
  Your oasis with large expanses of grass and shady trees with 50 powered and unpowered sites, 4 self contained cabins, 2 ablution blocks, campers kitchen, BBQ, laundry, dogs on leash welcome, close to Leonora PO, ATM Telecentre, supermarket, hotels and service stations.
  Rochester St Leonora
  Ph: (08) 9037 6568
  Fax: (08) 9037 6576
  Mobile: 0427 972 985

• Leonora Lodge and Gwalia Lodge
  Located just off the main street with ensuite, air-conditioned rooms and cable TV. Set in beautiful gardens, for guests there is dining room and BBQ’s, pool, gym and laundry. Friendly, relaxing atmosphere.
  Otterburn St Leonora
  Ph: (08) 9037 7053
  Fax: (08) 9037 7059
  Mobile: 0427 972 958
  Email:reception@leonoralodge.com.au
• Leonora Motor Inn
  Located in town within walking distance to shops, hotels and service stations with 4 king executive suites, 14 Queen suites (3 family rooms) with LCD screen TV’s, microwave, toaster. Ample secure parking beside suites. Laundry on site.
  Tower St (Goldfields Highway) Leonora
  Ph: (08) 9037 6444
  Fax: (08) 9037 6433
  Email:leonoramotorinn@bigpond.com
• Leonora Villas
  Recently established, with 4 villas in a secure complex. Located in town and within walking distance to shops, hotels and service stations. Each villa contains two bedrooms and is fully self contained. Includes laundry facilities.
  Tower St (Goldfields Highway) Leonora
  Ph: (08) 9037 6400
  Mobile: 0419 177 232
• Leonora White House Hotel
  Historic hotel c.1902 with outback character, air-conditioned with 1 double and 2 single rooms. 6 twin rooms. Shared bathrooms. Front bar, beer garden, pool table, dining room, counters meals in bar, laundry facilities, with ample parking.
  Tower St (Goldfields Highway) Leonora
  Ph: (08) 9037 6030
  Fax: (08) 9037 6168
  Email:whitehousehotel@bigpond.com.au

Leinster

• Leinster Caravan Park

Agnew

• Agnew Hotel
  This historic hotel offers 8 recently refurbished air-conditioned rooms all with TV. Shared bathroom. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, with counter meals in the bar. Laundry facilities and large parking areas for cars, caravans and motor homes.
  Ph: (08) 9037 5929
  Fax: (08) 9037 0696
  Email: agnew.hotel@bigpond.com
  Web: www.agnewhotel.com.au
  Mail: PO Box 335, Leinster WA 643

The Agnew Loop

The Agnew Loop: Survival in a strange land

298.4km, 50% gravel roads, full day outing

The discovery of gold in the 1890’s sparked a rush to this region – but the country the settlers came to was hot, harsh and horribly unforgiving. This trail tells many of the stories of what was often a struggle for survival as Europeans set out to make their way in a land that was both foreign and pitiless.

From coach roads and stock routes to wayside hotels and staging posts, and from vast pastoral stations to historic mines and the shooting-star settlements that they spawned – the social history of this struggle for survival is strung out along this Loop for your enjoyment.

Drive the 300km in a clockwise direction – it is a comfortable day’s outing, but do check road conditions first as half the route is on gravel surface’s.

The Darlot Loop

The Darlot Loop: More than just mulga.

345.8km, 70% gravel roads, full day outing

Take a trip through the many and varied landscapes of the north-east goldfields – from dramatic breakaways to samphire flats and salt lakes, and from vast mulga plains to magnificent marble gum on spinifex sands. This loop is your introduction to a fascinating natural environment, and to the human influences that have shaped it over the last hundred years.

At close to 350km this is a long day’s outing. It is designed to be travelled in a clockwise direction, initially heading north from Leonora on the Goldfields Highway. Note that approximately 70% of the Trail is gravel – this is generally of good quality, but can suffer after rain. Check with the Shire for the latest conditions!