Coolgardie–Esperance Highway

Coolgardie–Esperance Highway is located in the Goldfields–Esperance region of Western Australia. It links the goldfields towns of Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie with the coastal town and port of Esperance.

Map of Coolgardie–Esperance Highway (shown in red) and surrounding road network in southern Western Australia

The highway is a bit like the old narrow gauge railway alignment between Coolgardie and Esperance. It has surprise corners, rises and dips that are not expected. It can be very busy up closer to Coolgardie with mining trucks and other traffic. Not to be taken carelessly or without safe driving.

The myths and perpetuated stories about the Goldfields region, and its extension towards the Nullarbor is that it is treeless, and plantless. Nothing can be further from the reality of travelling the Esperance highway: Hardy drought-proof eucalypti and other vegetation make this whole route interesting in that the scrawny trees line the large salt lakes that are in view of the highway, showing how severe weather conditions have not daunted a range of trees from developing in this harsh climate.

If you have got this far from Perth or Adelaide, there is not much to consider when travelling along this highway. There are some interesting side trips, and they will require a vehicle that is suitable for the rougher 'off-the-bitumen' roads that lead to locations in the bush.

At all times, adequate extra fuel, food and drink if for any reason you have to stop for repairs or other unexpected stops, and if you have the equipment, either sat-phones or CB radios are always worth having if you are going off the beaten track where usual traffic might be one car or truck a week – which can be expected in some of the tracks of this highway.

For the really rough roads, extra spare tyres are always worth it.

In some seasons, unusual rain patterns have rendered the Goldfields region with heavy floods. There are a number of issues for the traveller when in flooding or flooded areas. It is always better to wait till water has receded after the height of a flood. Just because big trucks sometimes forge ahead and make it look easy, the risks are that the base of the road has been washed away and there can be serious depth issues. On heavier used roads police or emergency personnel will prevent usage of roads for this very reason. The best strategy with goldfields roads and flooding is to wait, until it is cleared.

You can get into it from Perth via the South Western Highway from Armadale via Bunbury to Walpole, and then go on to South Coast Highway via Albany to Esperance.

By this route you can also go from Bunbury, Albany, Denmark and Walpole to Esperance, and therefore Coolgardie.

• Red Hill lookout
• Lake Lefroy
• Cowan Hill
• Norseman
• Cave Hill
• Bremer Range
• Beacon Hill
• Dundas Rocks
• Peak Charles National Park

• Mining Trucks – the busiest is between Coolgardie and Norseman, always be on the lookout. Never overtake trucks.
• Kangaroos – specially around sunrise and sunset
• Speed – make sure you are within the limit in this area. Many surprise turns and crests are best taken carefully.
• Fatigue – never drive tired

• Going west, from Esperance, the South Coast Highway is an inland highway to Albany, despite its name.
• Leaving the highway at Norseman – the Eyre Highway starts its journey to Adelaide.