Miners Pathway

It’s time to head north! Get the car packed with everything you need and set off on your journey to Paynes Find. The trip will take you roughly 4.5 hours, so aim to head off in the morning after a hearty breakfast. You’ll be passing through the Wheatbelt town of Dalwallinu just after lunch time (around 2 hours 50 minutes into your journey), so this is a great spot to stop, stretch and grab something to eat. Head to Dally Café, Jenny’s Bakehouse, or grab some snacks from the local Foodworks grocery store to refuel you for the rest of your journey to Paynes Find. If you’re travelling throughout wildflower season, Dalwallinu is a hotspot, so get the camera ready for the bursts of colourful flowers around town. If you’re a real wildflower enthusiast, you may even want to spend an extra night here.

Jump back on the road and finish the 175km journey north to Paynes Find. Explore the township, and the Gold Battery, established in 1911 and is the only working battery in the state! Enjoy the museum and a walk around town before heading to your accommodation. We recommend staying at the Paynes Find Roadhouse and Tavern for the evening, which offer single rooms, double rooms, family units, a camping area, and a caravan park with both powered and unpowered sights. Grab yourself a bite to eat and a cold drink from the Tavern before settling in for a good night’s rest.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a gravel road, reminder to check road conditions at your time of travel if travelling in a 2WD.

Spend your morning exploring more of Meekatharra, with a range of exciting attractions and places to explore. Take the Meeka Town Heritage Walk or the Creek Trail to discover the history and heritage of the town and its people from the past. Follow the 3km Meeka Rangelands Discovery Trail for a fascinating insight into the Indigenous history, nature, and cultural heritage of the town. Head to the Meekatharra Museum to view over 100 photographs and interesting memorabilia of this outback town. Or just take a leisurely stroll through town and Main Street, looking at the State Battery and other interesting prospecting items.

After a morning of exploring, pack up a picnic and head out to Peace Gorge at The Granites and explore these spectacular rock formations, just 5km from town. You could easily spend an hour or two enjoying the sights and climbing to the top.

When you’re ready to tackle the next leg, fuel up the car and it’s time to head out on the gravel road to Sandstone. Along the way watching out for wildlife like kangaroos and emus who frequent along this path. Notice how the rock formations contrast with the rust-stained sandstone, which is what gives the town its name. Arrive in Sandstone in the mid-afternoon and notice the towns wide streets, which were filled with people in 1894 after a major gold discovery was found nearby. See the grand old buildings and heritage at the Sandstone Heritage Museum to learn all things Sandstone, including the fascinating brewery story from 1907!

When it’s time to head to your accommodation, the Alice Atkinson Caravan Park is a centrally location option with no booking required on a first in basis, or book a room at The National Hotel with great meal options for dinner. A must-see while in Sandstone is London Bridge, believed to be 350 million years old and shaped like a bridge, and this is a fantastic sight after night fall with a sky full of stars above you. Alternatively, take a drive to London Bridge before heading to your accommodation.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a gravel road, reminder to check road conditions at your time of travel if travelling in a 2WD.

It’s the last day of your journey, but the trip isn’t over yet! You’ve got a long journey in the car ahead, so make sure your stomachs and petrol tanks are full before you hit the road. Set off before mid-morning and jump on the road back to Perth. Set your sat nave for Wongan Hills as this is a great place to stop for a picnic lunch.

Around 3 hours 45 minutes into your journey you’ll be in the Wheatbelt region of Road Trip Country, and you’ll arrive into Wongan Hills for lunch. The scenic town is renowned for its wildflower display during season, its panoramic views of the whole shire from Mount O’Brien, and the nearby Mount Matilda with a great scenic walk through the bushlands. For lunch, head into the Wongan Hills Bakery & Café or the Wongan Hills Hotel for a delicious meal and drink, before jumping back on the road for the 186km journey back to Perth.