17/11/2025
I’ve been learning about the history of the salt lakes scattered through the Great Western Woodlands in Western Australia, and it’s incredible how much story sits behind these quiet, open landscapes.
These lakes began forming millions of years ago, back when ancient river systems flowed across the Goldfields region. Over time the climate dried, the rivers faded, and what remained were long chains of salt pans that still follow the old waterways. Every time the rare rains arrive, those dry white basins briefly come back to life, reminding us of what this country once looked like.
Long before Europeans ever arrived, these salt lakes were part of the cultural map for Aboriginal communities who travelled through the woodlands. They were used as landmarks, food sources when waterbirds bred after big rains, and places woven into Dreaming stories that explain the shape and spirit of the land.
When prospectors and explorers moved through the region in the late 1800s, these lakes became natural markers on their routes. Some even guided early gold expeditions across harsh country, their bright surfaces visible from kilometres away. They still sit today exactly where they have for tens of thousands of years, unchanged in shape even when everything around them has shifted.
Learning about their history feels like opening a window into the ancient past of Western Australia. These lakes aren’t just beautiful; they’re living records of geology, culture and resilience.
