Helen speaks with Laurinda Hill, the Coordinator of the Great Beyond Visitor Information Centre in Laverton, Western Australia. Laverton is the start and the finish of the Outback Way, depending which direction you're travelling, and in this episode Helen and Laurinda discuss the impact the Outback Way has had on the town.

Laurinda shares a little of her family history in the area, as well as a bit about Dr. Laver and how the town came to be named after him. Also covered in this episode are the numerous attractions in Laverton, including the Explorer's Hall of Fame, the old police station and jail, the Laverton Outback Gallery and the best coffee shop on the Outback Way!

There are a range of accomodation options in the town and also a number of events each year. The Annual Laver Festival is held in May, the Annual Race Day is in October (this year Saturday October 27 2018) and coming up soon, on the 18th of August, the town is having a fundraiser for Queensland farmers.

Contact Laurinda and find out more about Laverton at the Great Beyond Visitor Information Centre. Open 7 days, you can call (08) 90311 361 for more information, or find them on Facebook or Trip Advisor.

You can find all notes and links on our website, www.outbackway.org.au where you can subscribe to our newsletter, buy our guidebook and download the app if you haven't already. Join us on Facebook and Twitter @OutbackWay1

Send your questions, comments and travel stories to [email protected] and if you share your story, we may even feature you on this podcast! Thank you for joining us through the heart of Australia, on Australia's longest short cut.

From across the Outback Way we acknowledge the Koa People, Pitta Pitta People,  Wangkayuju People, Wangkamahdla People, Arrernte Nation, Anangu People, Yarnangu People, Wangkatja People as traditional custodians and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands The Outback Way traverses.

___________

The Outback Way has become a symbol of resilience, connection, and progress, weaving together the diverse landscapes and communities of Australia's heartland.

 In celebration of the  25-year journey of advocacy and lobbying to the funding announcement to complete the seal, the Outback Highway Development Council is proud to present ‘From Bulldust to Bitumen – 25 Years of the Outback Way’. A book that captures the spirit, history, and future vision of this transformative project.

Order your copy and be part of the journey that continues to shape Australia's outback, it’s people and the nation. 

Head over to our website and order yours today  W: outbackway.org.au

____________

You can find more information about this podcast on our website, www.outbackway.org.au where you can subscribe to our newsletter, buy our guidebook and download the app if you haven't already. Join us on Facebook and Instagram @OutbackWay1

Send your questions, comments and travel stories to [email protected] and if you share your story, we may even feature you on this podcast! Thank you for joining us through the heart of Australia, on Australia's longest short cut.

The Outback Way Podcast is produced by Perk Digital.