A gold-mining town in the Great Western Woodlands, Norseman has a deep history tied to mining and sheep farming. As the primary town of the Shire of Dundas, it offers a chance to explore the region’s culture and nature through museums, mining parks and woodland trails.
Things to do in Norseman
Museums in Norseman teach you about the town’s heritage. The Pioneer/Mining Museum reveals details about town pioneers and the early mining companies, while the former “School of Mines” building hosts a large piece of a restored horse wagon known as the Skylab.
Spend some time outdoors at Phoenix Park, a historical mining park where you’ll see machinery and displays of the region’s mining past. Take a five-kilometre walk or drive to Mt. Jimberlana, a massive granite outcrop with a picnic area, or go bushwalking and climbing at Dundas Rocks, about 22 kilometres from town. Families love gemstone fossicking for agate gemstones on the Granite Woodlands Trail.
Many eateries in Norseman occupy space within small licensed hotels, while Full Moon Café sits conveniently on Roberts Street, offering breakfast, afternoon tea and authentic Thai food. Stop by the Gallery of Splendid Isolation for awe-inspiring imagery from local photographer Lynn Webb.
Take an evening stroll to find impressive life-sized sculptures depicting the town’s history. Keep an eye out for the bronze horse on the corner of Roberts and Ramsay Streets and the Corrugated Iron Camels collection on Prinsep Street.
Getting there
Norseman sits at the crossroads of Highways 1 and 94, about an eight-hour drive from Perth. You can rent a car at Perth International Airport or take a train to Norseman. Rental cars are also available in Kalgoorlie, about 2.5 hours away. Taxis are available for getting around town.