Ballard Lake

We had ambitious plans which narrowed with the weather. We decided to drive to Ballard lake and see The Gormley statues that were installed in 2003 for some 50 year anniversary. The exhibit is called Inside Australia and involves 51 black steel statues that were created from scans of some of the residents of Menzies. The statues are located in a 10 km dried salt lake, scattered about. We were compelled to see this despite it being 170 kms away.
We set off with me (anna) driving. Once on the road to Menzies the road is straight and wide witH nearly no traffic except an occasional truck train. The weather was cloudy grey and cool. The landscape is very stark.


We passed several gold Mines and an occasional tire signifying somebodies drive way. After 120 km we arrived in Menzies. Below is the town hall and main street.


I guess at one time or other it was a thriving gold town but it seems distressed and a shadow of itself. Apparently, the road was made this wide to allow camel caravans to easily turn around. We were hungry and the only option was The Menzies Hotel.


The lonely planet describes the rooms as dilapidated, probably true but there is a warmth and sense of yesteryear when you step in the door,








The barkeeper was Kiwi, and the choice of food limited, it being a Sunday. There was home made chicken soup, fresh fruit cake and toasted cheese sandwiches. There was an Indonesian couple staying at the hotel and miners in and out. Also while we were there, 4 Australians returning from their holiday from Alice Springs.



Michael lost no time in getting into the swing of Menzies. We pressed on as we had about 50 km to go. We passed the town store which was closed.


We passed the filling station which was fenced off and was for sale.





The light and colors of this town were from a different era. We left Menzies and the road became unpaved. Each side of the road was flat with endless scrub. It began to sprinkle. We passed a lot of floodway signs. It began to rain harder. In the 50 k driven we saw 5 cars.


Lightening an thunder and now harder rain and we had arrived.


The lake glistened with water. Several of the statues could be seen but they were in the distance.





We began walking toward the closest statue. Very slippery and muddy. We were not to be deterred.





The mud stuck to the soles of my shoes. I think I may have had a pound or two per shoe. We made it to the first statue.


I pressed on to the second. You could see at a distance, many more, but they were too far away, and the rain was becoming more intense. So we went back to shore.






There was no one in sight. It was magical. I would have liked to hike and see all 51 but it was just too slippery and rainy. The 50 kms back were a challenge. The floodway signs were accurate. Run off covered the road in places and with the mud came the sensation of fishtailing. Going slow was risky as we could have gotten stuck. As we exited the dirt road, there was now a barricade saying the road was closed. As it was, we had to take Johnny Walker into the shower to get the mud off the wheels and Michael worked on our sneakers for more than half an hour with an old toothbrush. Tomorrow we tackle The Super Pit and the mining museum.

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Location:Menzies Western Australia