Lake Ballard and Antony Gormley's Inside Australia

Out past the old gold-rush town of Menzies, the red earth gives way to a vast, white salt lake. Scattered across it are dozens of dark, impossibly thin human figures, each standing alone and each one different. This is Inside Australia, which the Shire of Menzies calls the world's largest outdoor art gallery.

The story behind the art

The Shire of Menzies says:

• Inside Australia was commissioned in 2003 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Perth International Arts Festival.
• It was created by world-renowned British artist Sir Antony Gormley.
• There are 51 black chromium steel sculptures.
• Each figure was derived from digital laser scans of real Menzies residents, many of whom still live and work in the community.
• Gormley reduced the width of each body by 50%, creating their stick-like appearance, but kept their real heights. Each figure keeps the stature and posture of its subject.
• The figures are spread across about 10 square kilometres of the salt lake.

Getting there

Lake Ballard is 51 km west of Menzies, which is on the Goldfields Highway north of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The shire asks visitors to check its local road condition report before setting out. After rain, roads and the lake surface can be affected.

The Menzies Visitor Centre, in the historic former Lady Shenton Hotel on the corner of Shenton and Brown streets, sells souvenir books, a project DVD and regional maps.

When to visit

• Time of day: the shire recommends early morning or late afternoon, when long shadows stretch dramatically across the salt plain.
• How long: allow at least two to three hours. The sculptures are spaced roughly 500 m apart, so seeing them all takes considerably longer.
• Season: the cooler months, roughly April to October, are the most comfortable for walking. Summer can be extremely hot, and the white salt reflects heat and glare.

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Camping at Lake Ballard

The shire recommends camping to enjoy an outback sunset and dark-sky stargazing.

• Free bush camping is available on site, in designated areas only.
• Fire restrictions apply from November to March each year. Outside that period, use the cement fire rings provided and bring your own firewood.
• There's no treated drinking water. Bring plenty.
• Take your rubbish with you, or use the bins provided.

See free camping rules and stargazing and dark skies.

Safety and care on the lake

The Shire of Menzies asks visitors to:

• Never drive on the lake. Vehicles cause irreparable damage and easily get bogged. Park in the designated area and walk.
• Stay hydrated. There's no treated drinking water on site.
• Protect yourself from the sun. The white salt reflects strong sunlight, so wear a hat, sunglasses and long sleeves, and use high-SPF sunscreen.
• Use the buddy system. Walk in a group of at least two.
• Wear old shoes. After rain, the lake surface can be wet, muddy and unstable. Take care on loose rocks around the central mounds and islands.
• Leave no trace.

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Photography tips

• Shoot at sunrise and sunset for long shadows and colour.
• Use a wide-angle lens to show the figures against the vast lake, or a telephoto to stack several figures together.
• Bring a tripod for blue-hour and night shots with the Milky Way.
• Protect your gear from salt and dust.

Planning checklist

Based on the Shire of Menzies' advice:

• Before you go: check the shire's road condition report. Fill up and stock up in Menzies or Kalgoorlie.
• Water: bring plenty of drinking water. There's no treated water on site.
• Sun: pack a hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and high-SPF sunscreen. The white salt reflects strong sunlight.
• Footwear: wear old shoes you don't mind getting muddy or salty.
• Firewood: if you're camping outside the November-to-March fire restriction period, bring your own wood for the cement fire rings.
• Company: walk with at least one other person.
• Rubbish: take it with you, or use the bins provided.
• Souvenirs and maps: the Menzies Visitor Centre, in the former Lady Shenton Hotel, sells souvenir books, a DVD about the project and regional maps.

Where to stay nearby

Apart from the free bush camping at the lake, Menzies is the closest town, 51 km east. Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Leonora have a wider range of caravan parks, motels and hotels. Check current options with the visitor centres.

Nearby

• Menzies: a historic gold-rush town with heritage buildings.
• Leonora and Gwalia, to the north, with the Gwalia ghost town and museum.
• Kalgoorlie-Boulder, to the south.
• Coolgardie.

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