Leonora
Explorer John Forrest led the first party into this area in 1869 while searching for the lost Leichhards expedition, and named an isolated peak Mount Leonora in honor of the wife of the then Western Australian Governor.
In 1896 the first gold claims were pegged at Leonora and its twin town of Gwalia mine became the largest underground mine outside the Kalgoorlie Golden Mile and at its peak the town died with it.
Much of the original mine is intact, including the 25m head frame built in 1898, now houses a fascinating historical display.
The best way to experience the history of Gwalia and its transition to modern times is to walk the 1 km-long Gwalia Heritage Trail.
While the towns around it died, Leonora has survived as an administrative center for the copper, nickel and revived gold mining industries and the surrounding sheep stations. Many of its original 1890s buildings have survived with it.
Visual source: panoramio
