The Great Beyond Explorer’s Hall of Fame and Visitor Centre

Celebrating at the crossroads of early explorers

The Great Beyond highlights the early explorers to come through the region. Begin your journey with a miniature hologram of John Forrest the explorer, and Tommy Windich (Yinel), Aboriginal guide. Be prepared for the booming voices as John Forrest talks to John Septimus Roe or Tommy Windich in his own trek team. The collection contains an intimate display of Edith Laver’s personal items. Edith was married to Dr Charles Laver, after whom the town of Laverton is named. Learn more about how the doctor got gold fever and journeyed to British Flag, close to the current townsite of Laverton. The Visitor Centre is also the perfect place to grab a quick drink or bite to eat before you ‘hit the road’ and continue making your own exploration of WA, or heading out east along the Grand Central Road.

Visit website

Address:

5 Augusta Street
Laverton WA 6440
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9031 1361

Email:

greatbeyond@laverton.wa.gov.au

Opening Hours

Mon to Fri 9am - 4:30pm; Sat, Sun & Public Holidays 9am - 1pm

Carved kangaroo

Wooden marlu

This marlu (kangaroo) has been carved with a rasp. The burnt markings are called ‘poker work’ designs, which became common to this area in the early 1900s. The technique was adopted by Aboriginal...

Spear thrower

Mirru

This mirru (spear thrower) is used to give leverage and length to throw spears. The spear sits tucked into the end of the mirru, near the spike. They were decorated with carving, as a way to identify...

Perfume bottle

Luxury on the goldfields

This perfume bottle belonged to Edith Laver (nee Atwell). It is on display amongst other personal items received as wedding gifts, including a silver cigarette lighter and button hooks with mother-of...

Old Police Complex

A country police station

The first Laverton police station is described by the guide as ‘tents, tin and fibro,’ with the prisoners brutally chained to logs. In 1899 the original jail was moved from the close-by settlement of...

Meekatharra Museum

Meeka Museum!

This intimate collection offers a stop-off to enjoy a slice of history in Meekatharra. The collection includes a local archive, well-resourced for family history research, and photographs and...

Ballidu Heritage Centre

A treasure hunter's delight

The Ballidu Heritage Centre collection is a dive through the ages, with memorabilia for the young and the young at heart. The beautiful old hall has display rooms set up like small stage sets. For...

New Norcia Museum

A taste of Europe in the WA bush

Enter New Norcia and you’ll feel as though you have stumbled upon another era. The magnificent buildings, monastery, olive trees and church bells feel as though they would be more at home in Europe...