Norseman
Town
Population 861
Norseman is the last large town on the Eyre Highway for travellers heading east towards South Australia. Gold put Norseman on the map in the 1890s with one of the richest quartz reefs in Australia. The town is steeped in goldmining history, reflected in its colossal tailings dump. If visitors could stand atop this dump they could have up to $50 million in gold underfoot (although the rock has been processed, much residual gold remains). The story behind the town's name has become folklore. The settlement sprang up in 1894 when a horse owned by prospector Laurie Sinclair pawed the ground and unearthed a nugget of gold; the site proved to be a substantial reef. The horse's name was Norseman.
Visitor Information
68 Roberts St; (08) 9039 1071
Nearby national parks
-
Cape Arid National Park
Lying on Western Australia’s rugged south coast, Cape Arid National Park protects a stunning coastline of sweeping beaches rimmed by...more -
Stokes National Park
This national park, an hour’s drive west of Esperance on Western Australia’s southern coast, protects Stokes Inlet and its...more -
Cape Le Grand National Park
Lying to the east of Esperance on Western Australia’s rugged south coast, Cape Le Grand National Park boasts undulating heathlands,...more
Nearby towns
-
Coolgardie
This town was the first settlement in the eastern goldfields. After alluvial gold was found in 1892, Coolgardie grew in ten years to a town...more -
Kalgoorlie Boulder WA
Kalgoorlie is the centre of Western Australia's goldmining industry. It was once known as Hannan's Find in honour of Paddy Hannan, the...more -
Balladonia
Balladonia lies on the Eyre Highway on the western edge of the Nullarbor Plain. Its closest towns are Norseman, 191 kilometres to the...more
In Town
Historical Collection: mining tools and household items; open 10am–1pm Mon–Sat; Battery Rd. Phoenix Park: open-plan park with displays, stream and picnic facilities; Prinsep St. Statue of Norseman: bronze statue by Robert Hitchcock commemorates Norseman, the horse; cnr Roberts and Ramsay sts. Camel Train: corrugated-iron sculptures represent the camel trains of the pioneer days; Prinsep St. Gem fossicking: gemstone permits are available from the visitor centre.
Nearby
Beacon Hill Lookout: spectacular at sunrise and sunset, this lookout offers an outstanding 360-degree panorama of the salt lakes, Mt Jimberlana, the township, tailings dump and surrounding hills and valleys; Mines Rd; 2 km E. Mt Jimberlana: reputed to be one of the oldest geological areas in the world. Take the walking trail to the summit for great views; 5 km E. Dundas Rocks: barbecue and picnic area amid granite outcrops near old Dundas townsite, where the lonely grave of a 7-month-old child is one of the only signs that the area was once inhabited. Travel here via the highway (22 km S) or along the 33 km heritage trail that follows an original Cobb & Co route (map available from visitor centre). Buldania Rocks: picnic area with beautiful spring wildflowers; 28 km E. Bromus Dam: freshwater dam with picnic area; 32 km S. Peak Charles National Park: good-weather track for experienced walkers and climbers to Peak Eleanora, with a magnificent view from top of saltpans, sand plains and dry woodlands.; 50 km S, then 40 km W off hwy. Cave Hill Nature Reserve: a granite outcrop with a cave set in its side and a dam nearby. Popular spot for camping, picknicking and rock climbing; 4WD access only; 55 km N, then 50 km W. Fraser Range Station: working pastoral property that specialises in Damara sheep. The station has a range of available accommodation and opportunities to experience a remote working pastoral property; (08) 9039 3210; 100 km E.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Bushwalking in Karlkurla Bushland Park 164 km
On the outskirts of Kalgoorlie, in Riverina Way, is the Karlkurla Bushland Park, with 4 kilometres of walking tracks, masses of wildflowers, and native bananas. It is a great example of natural regrowth, demonstrating... Find out moreBeach and wetland walks 185 km
There is no shortage of great beaches to walk on around Esperance, and during the winter–springwhale-watching season you are likely to see one or two of these large marine mammals. But for a walk with a different... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
Campsites around town
Cave Hill camping area 79 km
Cave Hill camping area is 50 km south-west of Widgimooltha and 39 km south of Burra Rock via 4WD tracks. There are 2 camping areas on the western side of the granite outcrop, and another on the eastern side. Make the... Find out morePeak Charles camping area 95 km
Self-sufficient campers and bushwalkers will enjoy staying at Peak Charles camping area, in a shady bush setting 105 km south-west of Norseman and 20 km south of the Lake King–Norseman Rd. The easy walk to... Find out moreFraser Range Sheep Station 98 km
Fraser Range Station is 1.5 km south of the Eyre Hwy, 100 km east of Norseman. It offers weary travellers an unusual outback experience, with bushwalking, station tours, camping and other accommodation available.... Find out moreBurra Rock camping area 105 km
Burra Rock camping area is along Burra Rock Rd, 58 km south of Coolgardie via Hunt Rd. It provides campers with basic facilities (bring firewood and water) in a natural bush environment.... Find out moreVictoria Rock camping area 128 km
Victoria Rock camping area is on Victoria Rock Rd, 46 km south of Coolgardie via Gnarlbine Rock Rd, at the western end of town. Nestled beside the rock visitors will find selected sites with basic facilities (bring... Find out moreBalladonia Roadhouse Caravan Park 174 km
There are caravan facilities and other accommodation options at this iconic roadhouse on the Eyre Hwy at Balladonia, 191 km east of Norseman. Claypans typical of the region can be photographed, along with old stone walls... Find out moreBoondi Rock camping area 176 km
Boondi Rock camping area is on the Great Eastern Hwy, approximately 80 km west of Coolgardie. It provides campers with a few basic facilities (bring firewood and drinking water) near a granite rock outcrop in the bush... Find out moreDeralinya Ruins camping area (bush camping) 178 km
Deralinya Ruins area is 7 km west of Mt Ragged Track, a little west of Parmango Rd. Access is via a track 12.4 km south of the meeting of Balladonia Rd and Mt Ragged Track. Camping here in the vicinity of the ruins is in... Find out moreQuagi Beach camping area 186 km
South of the South Coast Hwy via Farrells Rd, 58 km west of Esperance and 48 km east of Munglinup, Quagi Beach camping area is a delightful spot in a bush setting on the beach. Fishing, swimming or snorkelling from the... Find out moreBenwenerup camping area 189 km
On Stokes Inlet Rd, 6 km south of the South Coast Hwy and 80 km west of Esperance, Benwenerup camping area is set among the scrub overlooking the inlet. You need to come equipped with a stove and drinking water.... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Gateway Caravan Park 1 km
A conveniently situated park at the western end of the Nullarbor Plain, this place is close to the highway junction and about 1 km from the centre of town. The park has good amenities and most basic facilities. It is a... Find out moreFraser Range Station Caravan Park 98 km
This is a great find. Approximately 89 km north-west of Balladonia Roadhouse and some 100 km east of Norseman, the station caravan park is 2 km off the highway on a well-signposted good dirt road. The park has a number... Find out moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Kalgoorlie 160 km
Located off the main road, close to the airport and about 2 km from the centre of Boulder, this is a good base from which to explore the surrounding goldmining districts. Bookings are required in the winter months.... Find out moreGoldminer Tourist Caravan Park 161 km
This park is conveniently located on the Coolgardie Road, about 4 km west of the city centre. It has good facilities and a range of accommodation.... Find out moreProspector Holiday Park 162 km
Easily accessible from the Great Eastern Highway this is a spacious park with good amenities for touring caravanners. It is a good base from which to explore the historic region. There is little grass in Kalgoorlie and... Find out morePine Grove Holiday Park 182 km
This is a good park, located 3 km from the centre of town. Its facilities include a well-stocked shop and a recreation room. Bookings are required at Christmas, Easter and long weekends and a minimum-stay period applies.... Find out moreEsperance Seafront Caravan Park 183 km
This large park is just 2 km from the town centre and across the road from the beach; it is possible to walk to town along the beach. The park has good amenities and a lovely grassy playground that seems to host a... Find out morePink Lake Tourist Park 184 km
This is a quality park at a competitive price. Located just 2 km from the centre of town, the park has a wide range of facilities and amenities including a good camp kitchen. The place is popular with campervans and... Find out moreHopetoun Caravan Park 248 km
This is an informal beachside park in the small coastal community of Hopetoun, with basic beachside caravan park amenities. It is situated on the coastal fringe with a path leading to the beach and is just a 400-metre... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Norseman Great Western Motel and Great Western Travel Village
Considered Norseman’s premier hotel, this is a lovely spot to refresh and recharge the batteries before continuing on your way across the Nullarbor Plain. The rooms are comfortably appointed, and the rammed-earth... Find out moreRest areas around town
Lake Cowan Rest Area 13 km
151 km S of Coolgardie (R) or 15 km N of Norseman (L) Large area well off the highway in the bush. Limited shade. GPS: S32 06.065 E121 41.686... Find out moreBrockway Rest Area 15 km
15 km S of Norseman (L) or 188 km N of Esperance (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S32 19.876 E121 45.558 ... Find out moreMount Thirsty Rest Area 20 km
143 km S of Coolgardie (L) or 23 km N of Norseman (R) Large area just off the highway in the scrub. Good shade. GPS: S32 02.483 E121 40.726 ... Find out moreDundas Rocks Camp Area 21 km
T/O 22 km S of Norseman (L) or 181 km N of Esperance (R) Small camp area located 3 kilometres east of the highway in the bush. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S32 23.440 E121 46.332 ... Find out moreBromus Dam Rest Area 30 km
32 km S of Norseman (R) or 171 km N of Esperance (L) Large secluded area well off the highway among some trees. Good shade. GPS: S32 27.500 E121 41.002 ... Find out moreRedross Rest Area 57 km
101 km S of Coolgardie (R) or 65 km N of Norseman (L) Small area just off the highway in the scrub behind the truck bay. Good shade. GPS: S31 41.527 E121 40.461... Find out moreKumarl Siding Rest Area 69 km
74 km S of Norseman (R) or 129 km N of Esperance (L) Large open area well off the highway surrounded by scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S32 47.281 E121 33.218... Find out moreTen Mile Rocks Rest Area 75 km
80 km E of Norseman (L) or 111 km W of Balladonia (R) Large area just off the highway among the trees. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S32 04.063 E122 33.572... Find out moreFraser Range Rest Area 78 km
83 km E of Norseman (R) or 108 km W of Balladonia (L) Large area just off the highway among the trees. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S32 04.403 E122 35.568... Find out moreWattle Dam Rest Area 97 km
60 km S of Coolgardie (R) or 106 km N of Norseman (L) Large area just off the highway in the scrub behind the truck bay. Good shade. GPS: S31 21.140 E121 31.258 ... Find out moreFraser Range Camp Area 98 km
103 km E of Norseman (R) or 88 km W of Balladonia (L) Homestead camp area located 1.5 kilometres south of the highway. Excellent facilities. Limited shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S32 01.45 E122 47.40... Find out moreCoolgardie Park Area 150 km
Middle of town Shady town park on the highway. GPS: S30 57.272 E121 09.732 ... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Norseman Cup: Mar.
