17th July: Left Kalgoorlie for Kambalda, a town in 2 halves East and West, which has also been gutted since the FIFO workers have come into town with their own accommodation near the nickel and gold mines. The nickel mine has been mothballed  because the price for nickel is so low but the gold mine is still flourishing! Some years ago Western mining built a wonderful recreation centre with sporting facilities, a childcare centre and a library, for the “Westies”( definition and history provided by some long term local residents whom we met) !. However we saw no one playing sport and no children in the childcare centre. There was one man using a computer at the library. Shops except for the supermarket were closed. East Kambalda looked in an even  worse state with many asbestos houses and a very run down supermarket! We played a hole of golf at Kambalda- a par 4 with a synthetic green. We then played another hole with a decayed concrete green! Fairways were sand and gravel and weeds! We then went in search of a view of the salt lake, Lake Lefroy. We took un unmade road as directed by our visitor centre advisors, past the dump. This lead to an offshoot of Lake Lefroy, with surrounding area being used as a BMX track, with tyres as an obstacle course. On the Lake itself, all dried salt, we spotted at least 13 wrecks of cars.We then went up to Red Hill lookout to look out over Lake Lefroy proper with the disused nickel mine to the left and the active gold mine to the right. We went for a circuit walk, but ended up losing the trail and having to retrace our steps.

We stayed the night at the 48 hour free camp amongst the most beautiful salmon gums.

I made us salmon patties for dinner using a first for me-Deb instant mash potato!

Part of Lake LeFroy