Leonora is located between the towns of Leinster and Menzies in south central WA. The area was first discovered by John Forrest and his party as they searched for the errant Leichhardt Expedition in 1869. Forrest named the overlooking mountain peak after the wife of the then Governor of the State.

Development was slow until the subsequent discovery of gold in 1896 after which Leonora developed into a thriving town.

Historic Attractions

The Sons of Gwalia Gold Mine was once the largest underground mine in the country and although ceased operations in 1963, the remains of the mine and other relics including a headframe built by the mines first manager Herbert Hoover, who was later to become President of the United States can be viewed by the visitor.

The Gwalia Museum is located in the old Sons of Gwalia Mine office and has a collection of interesting artefacts pertaining to the early mining days of the settlement, as well as articles on the social history of the region back to the 1890s.

The Gwalia Heritage Trail is the best way to explore this once vibrant sister mining town of Leonoras. The prosperity Gwalia experienced during these heady gold rush days can be estimated by the fact that the State's first electric trams ran here.

Many of Leonora's buildings date from the original settlement in the late 1800s and visitors are invited to stroll the streets and experience the atmosphere of a virtually unchanged mining town. The Cenotaph in the town centre dates to 1927 and the Cemetery is the resting place of many young men who died while working the mines in the early 1900s.

Natural Attractions

Mt Leonora rises over the town and from the summit, excellent views can be had of the township and the nearby Lake Raeside. Tank Hill, directly behind the town is the site for the town's water store but those energetic enough to climb to the summit(about 5 minutes) will be rewarded with dynamic views of Leonora and the mines area.

Malcolm Dam was built in 1902 as a water supply for the railway and today is a pleasant picnic area.

The Terraces is located 40km north east of the town and is ideal for bushwalking, photography and nature study.

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