Southern Cross
Town
Population 709
A small, flourishing town on the Great Eastern Highway, Southern Cross is the centre of a prosperous agricultural and pastoral region. Its claim to fame is as the site of the first major gold discovery in the huge eastern goldfields and, although it never matched the fever pitch of Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, Southern Cross remains the centre for a significant gold-producing area. The town's wide streets, like the town itself, were named after stars and constellations.
Visitor Information
Council offices, Antares St; (08) 9049 1001
Nearby towns
-
Merredin
Merredin started as a shanty town where miners stopped on their way to the goldfields. In 1893 the railway reached the town and a water...more -
Hyden
The small wheat-belt town of Hyden is synonymous with its famous nearby attraction, Wave Rock, originally known as Hyde's Rock in honour...more -
Kellerberrin
Centrally located in the wheat belt, Kellerberrin is 200 kilometres east of Perth. In springtime, magnificent displays of wildflowers...more
In Town
Yilgarn History Museum: originally the town courthouse and mining registrar's office, it now houses displays on mining, agriculture, water supply and military involvement; Antares St. Historic buildings: including the post office in Antares St, the Railway Tavern in Spica St and the restored Palace Hotel in Orion St.
Nearby
Hunt's Soak: once an important water source, now a picnic area; 7 km N. Frog Rock: large rock with wave-like formations. Popular picnic spot; 34 km S. Baladjie Rock: granite outcrop with spectacular views; 50 km NW. Karalee Rock and Dam: this dam was built to provide water for steam trains and is now popular for swimming and picnics; 52 km E.
Eco-friendly activities around town
Bushwalking in Karlkurla Bushland Park 212 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 moreCafes & restaurants around town
Regally holding court over the main street of town, the Palace Hotel provides a glimpse of the town’s former gold-rush glory. The hotel serves counter meals and offers accommodation upstairs.... Find out more
With its prime corner location in the northern part of town, the Southern Cross Motel is a good example of Federation architecture from the turn of the last century. The restaurant is fully licensed and caters well to... Find out more
Campsites around town
Karalee Rock and Dam picnic and camping area 49 km
Karalee Rock and Dam camping area is 4 km north of the Great Eastern Hwy, 52 km east of Southern Cross. The large shady site is set among trees near the 1897, where an informative trail leads beside the old aqueduct.... Find out moreWestonia Caravan Park 60 km
This caravan park, on Wolfram St, has a good range of facilities in a town that has been preserved to reflect its days as a booming goldmining town. Old buildings have been restored and new buildings constructed in a... Find out moreJaurdi Station Homestead 92 km
Jaurdi Station camping area is 149 km north-east of Southern Cross via the Great Eastern Hwy, Mt Walton (Heath) and Ryans roads. Visitors have the use of a good range of facilities at the old homestead of a pastoral... Find out moreBoondi Rock camping area 100 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 moreMukinbudin Caravan Park 112 km
Mukinbudin is about 300 km north-east of Perth via Merredin on the Great Eastern Hwy. The caravan park, on Cruickshank Rd, has shady sites and a good range of facilities including on-site accommodation. Nearby,... Find out moreNarembeen Caravan Park 128 km
Narembeen caravan park is on Curral St, 290 km east of Perth. It has basic camping facilities and limited on-site accommodation. Travellers through this predominantly grain-belt region can visit Roe Lookout, explore some... Find out moreBruce Rock Caravan Park 133 km
Bruce Rock caravan park is on Dunstall St in this small wheat-belt town, 247 km east of Perth. Visitors to Bruce Rock can drop into Totadjin Dam Reserve, a favourite cooling-off spot for locals, and a large granite... Find out moreWave Rock Caravan Park 141 km
Wave Rock caravan park offers quiet and peaceful sites in a natural bush setting at the base of Wave Rock, one of the region’s most impressive natural attractions. On Wave Rock Rd, 4 km east of Hyden and 340 km... Find out moreMarshall Rock camping area 142 km
Marshall Rock camping area is 10 km south east of Bencubbin and 273 km north-east of Perth. Access is via Mukinbudin and Marshall Rock S roads. The area is noted for its wildflower displays in spring and offers some... Find out moreTrayning Caravan Park 147 km
Visitors will see some interesting rock formations around Trayning, confined within a 2500 ha flora and fauna reserve that harbours a variety of rare plant species. Needless to say, the wildflowers in this part of the... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Southern Cross Caravan Park and Motor Lodge 1 km
Alongside the Eastern Highway at the eastern end of town, this is a neat park with good quality facilities to meet the traveller’s needs. Spacious level sites are easily accessed and there is room for big rigs.... Find out moreMerredin Tourist Park 102 km
This park is of a quality rarely found in an inland town the size of Merredin and we highly recommend it. From here it is a comfortable 260 km to Perth or 335 km to Kalgoorlie; Merredin is an excellent choice for an... Find out moreGoldminer Tourist Caravan Park 208 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 210 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 moreDiscovery Holiday Parks – Kalgoorlie 211 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 moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Southern Cross Caravan Park & Motor Lodge
Apart from being famous for being remote, Southern Cross is known for its gold history, farming and magnificent wildflowers. The caravan park includes powered and unpowered sites, park cabins as well as a motor lodge... Find out moreRest areas around town
Karalee Rock Camp Area 49 km
T/O 51 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 134 km W of Coolgardie (R) Large secluded camp area located 5 kilometres north of the highway at the dam. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S31 15.03... Find out moreBoorabbin Rest Area 66 km
68 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 117 km W of Coolgardie (R) Large area well off the highway in the scrub in Boorabbin National Park. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S31 16.082 E120 01.044... Find out moreBoondi Rock Camp Area 101 km
T/O 105 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 80 km W of Coolgardie (R) Secluded camp area located 3 kilometres north of the highway in the scrub in Boorabin National Park. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road... Find out moreMerredin Park Area 104 km
Middle of town Parking area well off the highway in the main street. Good facilities. GPS: S31 28.914 E118 16.494... Find out moreBoondi Rest Area 105 km
108 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 77 km W of Coolgardie (R) Large area just off the highway in the scrub. Limited shade. GPS: S31 11.348 E120 25.753... Find out moreHines Hill Rest Area 123 km
37 km E of Kellerberrin (L) or 20 km W of Merredin (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S31 31.961 E118 05.116... Find out moreYerdani Well Rest Area 125 km
129 km E of Southern Cross (L) or 56 km W of Coolgardie (R) Large secluded area well off the highway in the scrub. Good shade. GPS: S31 08.383 E120 37.679... Find out moreWhat's on around town
King of the Cross: 2 days of motorcycle races; Aug.
