South Eastern & Goldfields Region

Of all the regions in Western Australia, the South Eastern and Goldfields would be the one with the greatest climatic range. In the northern part you find the Goldfields with dry, and at times extremely hot conditions, while at Esperance in the south, cooler coastal temperatures prevail. On the same day, there can be a difference of 20 degrees Celsius between the two areas.

In the Goldfields, the summer weather can be very hot but is usually without humidity. The rest of the time, the weather is almost perfect for travelling - clear warm summer days, cool nights and infrequent rain. Thus in winter, when the South West shivers under overcast skies, the Goldfields usually bask in glorious sunshine. Perhaps the best times are July to September when despite cold nights and occasional rains, the days are clear bright and sunny with invigorating air, fresh greenery and wildflowers.

Norseman, situated approximately midway between Kalgoorlie and Esperance, is the first town reached by visitors from the Eastern States. Here you have the choice of heading north to Kalgoorlie, the Goldfields and Perth or south to Esperance with a longer but much more varied and interesting coastal drive to Perth. Many people intending to enter and depart Western Australia via Norseman take in both routes during their stay in W.A.

Kalgoorlie/Boulder are twin towns forming the heart of the Goldfields, an area which stretches as far as Laverton. For those whose penchant is roaming amidst ghost towns and old mining tenements, then this part of Western Australia is a veritable treasure trove. Coolgardie is a combination of ghost town and typical present day mining town since there is still a sizeable population.

In sharp contrast to these mining areas, Esperance and the Coastal Region offers a unique experience. While the rolling sand heath country and farmlands of the area are beautiful in their own right, it is the coastal environment of Esperance that makes it unique. Many well travelled visitors are of the opinion that this area has the best beaches in Australia, with its pure white sand beaches running into the crystal waters of the Southern Ocean.