From gold to iron: A reminiscent road trip
from Kalgoorlie to Newman

There’s something powerful about retracing your own dusty tracks through the Australian outback. This three-day self-drive from Kalgoorlie to Newman via Meekatharra isn’t just a journey through remote Western Australia — it’s a memory lane of red earth, ghost towns, and spring wildflowers blooming where few venture.

Back in the mid-70s when I first travelled this way, this road was more grit than guidebook. Today, it’s still raw and remote, but with better tyres, better maps, and the same sweeping horizon that makes you feel like the last soul on Earth.

Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or the wildflowers in WA, this is a road trip for the traveller who enjoys solitude, history, and a swag under a million stars.

Why spring is the perfect time for this road trip

Spring transforms the outback WA landscape. Between late August and early October, the Goldfields and Pilbara burst into life with native wildflowers — everlastings, mulla mulla, Sturt’s desert peas — dotting the red dirt like confetti. The days are warm but not brutal, and the nights are cool enough for a fire. It’s the best window for a 2WD adventure before the summer heat returns and before rains close off gravel sections.

Plus, the spring light is magic for photographers, especially in the golden hour when the low sun sets the spinifex aglow.

Day 1: Kalgoorlie to Leonora to Sandstone – red earth and history

Distance: 660 km | Drive time: 7–8 hrs

Roll out of Kalgoorlie early — with a jerry can or two — and aim for a meandering pace through the historic gold towns that shaped WA’s backbone. The bitumen takes you north through Menzies and on to Leonora, where you can stop to wander the restored buildings of Gwalia Ghost Town and the Hoover House Museum (yes, that Hoover — he managed the mine before becoming a U.S. President).

From Leonora, the road turns wilder. Head northwest along the unsealed but well-maintained road to Sandstone. The landscape shifts into classic outback country: low scrub, granite outcrops, and long stretches of solitude. Sandstone is a speck on the map but has charm — London Bridge (a natural rock arch) is worth a sunset stop.

Bush camping tip: Just past Sandstone, camp off the road near the breakaways west of town. Flat ground, big skies, and pure quiet.

Local food tip: Grab a counter lunch at the Leonora Central Hotel — the steak sandwich holds its own.

Day 2: Meekatharra and the wildflower highway north

Distance: 415 km | Drive time: 5–6 hrs

Back on the road early, continue northwest towards Meekatharra. This stretch is where spring road trips shine. You’ll see carpets of everlastings near Lake Mason, especially after decent winter rains. Keep an eye out for wedge-tailed eagles and kangaroos — both are regular roadside company.

Meekatharra itself is a good halfway point. Once a rough and tumble mining town, today it’s quiet, but it’s still the main service hub for the Gascoyne region. Refuel, restock water, and enjoy the friendly faces at the Meeka Rangelands Discovery Trail, a good walk to stretch the legs and take in some views.

If you’re feeling adventurous, head just out of town for bush camping near Peace Gorge, where smooth granite boulders create natural amphitheatres — a stunning wild campsite surrounded by flowering acacias in spring.

Smaller stop: Cue – a beautiful ghost-town revival with one of the best-preserved main streets in the state. Worth a short detour.

Day 3: Through the spinifex to Newman

Distance: 430 km | Drive time: 5–6 hrs

From Meekatharra, head north up the Great Northern Highway toward Newman. It’s straight, it’s vast, and it’s pure Pilbara — ochre land, wide skies, and that feeling you’re driving on the edge of forever.

Mount Magnet makes a good mid-morning stop. If you’re into geological oddities, take the detour to The Granites, an Aboriginal site of spiritual importance and a peaceful place for reflection.

Closer to Newman, the landscape tilts toward the iron-rich hills of the Hamersley Range. You’ll know you’re getting close when the mulga gives way to spinifex, and the colour palette intensifies — iron red, copper orange, gold.

Newman is still a mining town at heart, but with its proximity to Karijini National Park, it makes a great launchpad for further exploring the Pilbara.

Bush camp: Near Kumarina Roadhouse there’s a handy rest area with basic facilities, but better still, find a side track into the bush just before Newman and sleep among the red hills.

Bush camping along the way – where to stop and stay

This trip is made for travellers comfortable with remote, off-grid camping. There are formal rest areas with toilets at Sandstone, Meekatharra, and Kumarina, but the best experiences are bush sites off the main road — flat ground, away from station fences, and with no one else around.

Bring all your own water, food, fuel, and firewood. Reception is patchy at best between towns, so download your maps beforehand.

Always follow bush camping etiquette: leave no trace, check for fire bans, and pull well off the road. Travelling solo? Let someone know your route and expected arrival times.

Practical tips for a 2WD outback adventure

While this route is doable in a 2WD SUV in dry conditions, it still demands respect. Tyres should be in good condition, a second spare is smart, and a compressor and repair kit can save a bad day. Carry 20L of water per person and at least one jerry can of fuel between towns like Leonora and Meekatharra.

Spring brings mild days, but nights in the inland desert can be cold — pack layers. And don’t rely on roadhouses for regular food stops — stock up in Kalgoorlie and Meekatharra.

Outback WA is remote, wild, and unforgettable — and that’s exactly the point.

In summary

This three-day self-drive from Kalgoorlie to Newman is less about the destination and more about the space in between. It’s about rediscovering the freedom of the road, the beauty of emptiness, and the simple joy of waking up in the bush with nothing but sky overhead.

The route, while remote, is very doable in a 2WD adventure in spring, and for those chasing wildflowers, solitude, and a link back to the old outback, it’s one of the most rewarding journeys in Western Australia.

Practical information

• Best time to go: Late August to early October (spring wildflower season)
• Vehicle required: 2WD SUV is sufficient in dry weather
• Fuel: Available at Kalgoorlie, Leonora, Sandstone, Meekatharra, and Newman
• Reception: Limited outside major towns — Telstra has the best coverage
• Water and supplies: Carry plenty; availability is limited
• Dress code: Layers – hot days, cool nights
• Camping: Bush camping is legal in most areas but stay well off roads and leave no trace
• Safety: Tell someone your travel plan; drive cautiously at dawn/dusk; carry a basic first aid kit
• Maps: Download offline maps or carry a paper backup (Hema or WA Department of Transport maps)

More information

• Gwalia Ghost Town & Museum – Leonora
• Meeka Rangelands Discovery Trail
• Karijini National Park
• Wildflower season guide – WA Visitor Centre

Travel itinerary (summary table)