Major city · Australia
Leonora
Give Leonora one night, two if you want Gwalia at opening: it is a 235 km (146 mi) drive north of Kalgoorlie, so it works as a stop, not a base.Give Leonora one night, two if you want Gwalia at opening: it is a 146 mi (235 km) drive north of Kalgoorlie, so it works as a stop, not a base.
Leonora is the largest town in the Northern Goldfields and a service stop on the Goldfields Highway, 235 km north of Kalgoorlie. Its reason to exist for travellers is Gwalia, the abandoned gold-rush town 3 km out of town, plus the sealed road north towards Menzies and the Laverton track. Sights are few, fuel and food are limited, and mobile coverage stops at the town edge. Most trips use it for a single night between Kalgoorlie and the northern Goldfields.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Apr–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C (104 °F)+ days), school holidays if you need a roomavoid Dec–Feb (104 °F (40 °C)+ days), school holidays if you need a room
- Airports
- LNO · PER · KGI
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Leonora000 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- Leonora Visitor Centre+61 8 9037 7016
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Leonora, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA small, quiet town and safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile · +61 8 9037 7016 Leonora Visitor Centre
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLNO Leonora Airport (Skippers runs direct Perth flights on some weekdays and via Laverton on others; about 2 h direct.
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealTakeaway burger or sandwichA$4–10 (≈ US$3–7)
- Budget bedCaravan park powered site, a night, per personA$25 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$280 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LNO Leonora Airport (Skippers runs direct Perth flights on some weekdays and via Laverton on others; about 2 h direct. Confirm the 2026 schedule and fare with the operator.) · PER Perth Airport (Skippers departs from its own terminal in the general aviation area, not the main domestic terminal.) · KGI Kalgoorlie–Boulder Airport (Fly here, then drive 235 km (146 mi) north on the Goldfields Highway.)LNO Leonora Airport (Skippers runs direct Perth flights on some weekdays and via Laverton on others; about 2 h direct. Confirm the 2026 schedule and fare with the operator.) · PER Perth Airport (Skippers departs from its own terminal in the general aviation area, not the main domestic terminal.) · KGI Kalgoorlie–Boulder Airport (Fly here, then drive 146 mi (235 km) north on the Goldfields Highway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Feb
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Best: Apr–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jul (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jun (5 rain days), driest Oct (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Leonora: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Feb
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Dec
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Gwalia is 3 km from the town centre and there is no public transport. The Goldfields Highway is sealed to Kalgoorlie; roads beyond Leonora towards Laverton and the northern leases are partly unsealed and can close after rain. Fuel up in Kalgoorlie or Leonora before heading further north.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gwalia ghost town and museum
goDoor to door: About 15 min each way
Drive 3 km (1.9 mi) south of town on the Gwalia road, then walk the siteDrive 1.9 mi (3 km) south of town on the Gwalia road, then walk the site
The reason to come. Go at opening; the site is exposed and hot by midday.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Goldfields Highway south-east, about 130 km (81 mi)Goldfields Highway south-east, about 81 mi (130 km)
Tiny gold-rush town and the turn-off for Lake Ballard.
Door to door: About 2.5–3 h
Goldfields Highway south, 235 km (146 mi)Goldfields Highway south, 146 mi (235 km)
The nearest big town for fuel, supermarkets and flights.
Laverton and the northern leases
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h to Laverton
Sealed road north-west, then unsealed tracks
No fuel or phone coverage for long stretches; check road conditions first.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tower Street and the town centre
Hotels, the supermarket and the visitor centre sit on or near Tower Street; walkable, and the only real choice in town.
Leonora Caravan Park, Rochester Street
Grass sites and clean showers; the practical base if you are self-driving with a tent or van.
Gwalia end of town
Staying near the Gwalia turn-off shortens the morning run to the museum gate.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–250 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
- High
- A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × A$180 | A$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$160 | A$320 |
| Fuel, Kalgoorlie to Leonora and back1 × A$90 · check | A$90 |
| Gwalia museum entry2 × A$10 · check | A$20 |
| eSIM or data top-up2 × A$20 · check | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$65 |
| Trip total≈ A$358 per person per day, bed included | A$715≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights and long drives excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Counter meal (steak or chicken) | A$20–30 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Takeaway burger or sandwich | A$4–10 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Supermarket basics, one person for a day | A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Fuel, per litre | A$1.80–2.20 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| Caravan park site, per night | A$25–55 (≈ US$17–40) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mobile coverage is limited to the Telstra network and only inside town; it fades to nothing a short way out. Other networks do not work here.
- Carry water and a satellite messenger or satellite phone if you leave the highway; there is no reliable signal on the back roads.
- Summer days regularly pass 40 °C (104 °F). Do Gwalia and any walking before 10:00 and stay in the shade after lunch.Summer days regularly pass 40 °C (104 °F). Do Gwalia and any walking before 10:00 AM and stay in the shade after lunch.Summer days regularly pass 104 °F (40 °C). Do Gwalia and any walking before 10:00 and stay in the shade after lunch.Summer days regularly pass 104 °F (40 °C). Do Gwalia and any walking before 10:00 AM and stay in the shade after lunch.
- Fuel, food and opening hours are limited: the supermarket closes Saturday afternoon and there is no late-night option.
- Unsealed roads north and east can be closed by rain; check road conditions before you commit.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- Leonora Visitor Centre
- +61 8 9037 7016
Pocket card
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LeonoraLeonora
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- Leonora Visitor Centre+61 8 9037 7016
Embassy
No embassies in Leonora; consulates and embassies are in Perth. US, UK, Canadian and other consulates-general are in Perth (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Skippers Perth → Leonora: about A$395 (≈ US$300) one way, about 2 h direct (check)
- Drive Kalgoorlie → Leonora: 235 km (146 mi), about 2.5–3 h146 mi (235 km), about 2.5–3 h
- Gwalia museum entry: about A$10 (≈ US$7) (check)
Say or show
- How far to the next fuel? — How far to the next fuel?
- Is the road sealed? — Is the road sealed?
- Is there phone coverage out there? — Is there phone coverage out there?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Mobile coverage is Telstra-only and town-only. Carry water and a satellite messenger if you leave the highway.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Leonora. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (40 °C+ days), school holidays if you need a room · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LNO and KGI: Skippers schedule field-checked, drive fallback from Kalgoorlie, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Tower Street, the caravan park, the Gwalia site.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Gwalia museum, visitor centre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Heat and no-coverage fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialShire of Leonora
- officialSkippers Aviation
- secondaryWikivoyage: Leonora, revision 5038002 (CC BY-SA 4.0)