Chandler Ruins are the remnants of a small and short-lived mining community near Lake Campion in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. They are located 40km north-east of Nungarin.
How we discovered Chandler Ruins
As we drove towards Talgomine Reserve, before our camping spot at Lake Brown and Eaglestone Rock we noticed a lake on our left. Stopping there turned into an unexpected little adventure. A tourist sign drew us in, so we decided to stop. The kids immediately started exploring the old concrete remains scattered near the lake. With no onsite information and nothing available at the Nungarin Visitor Centre, the ruins felt mysterious at first.
Later research revealed their story. These remnants belong to Chandler, a World War II–era chemical mining settlement and potash processing plant established in 1942 to address fertilizer shortages. At its height, Chandler had more than 70 homes, a powerhouse, and even a school. After the war, operations briefly shifted to gypsum. However, by 1952 the entire town was shut down, sold off, and dismantled.
What you see today along the lake’s edge are the last traces of that vanished community. There are concrete foundations, kiln bases, and scattered industrial relics from Western Australia’s short‑lived wartime town.
A note for other explorers
If you are interested in exploring this little gem of history, please note that there is no proper sign or information provided at the site. However, there is a tourist attraction sign near the lake, where you can stop. On one side of the road is the old Potash mine and the salt lake with a few remnants. This is where we stopped and explored that area. We didn’t know until later, but apparently, on the other side of the road you can see what’s left of the structures of past buildings.
You can also find more historical information about Chandler Ruines from the Heritage Council of WA Places Database.
