Eucla, Western Australia

Eucla is a small town in the state of Western Australia. It is located near the border with South Australia, on the Eyre Highway, which connects the two states. Eucla is one of the few settlements along the long stretch of road across the Nullarbor Plain.

Eucla
Western Australia
Eucla Motor Hotel, 2017
Eucla
Coordinates31°40′30″S 128°52′59″E / 31.67500°S 128.88306°E / -31.67500; 128.88306
Population37 (SAL 2021)[1]
Established1870s (gazetted in 1885)
Postcode(s)6443
Elevation93 m (305 ft)
Area4,995.1 km2 (1,928.6 sq mi)
Time zoneCWST (unofficial) (UTC+8:45)
Location
  • 1,434 km (891 mi) E of Perth
  • 893 km (555 mi) E of Kalgoorlie
  • 11 km (7 mi) W of WA-SA border
  • 492 km (306 mi) W of Ceduna
  • 709 km (441 mi) E of Norseman
LGA(s)Shire of Dundas
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
23.5 °C
74 °F
12.4 °C
54 °F
321.5 mm
12.7 in

Location

Eucla is about 11 kilometers west of the South Australia border and around 1,430 kilometers east of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. It is in the area known as the Shire of Dundas.

Population

As of the 2021 Census, the population of Eucla was 53 people. Most of the people in the area work in tourism, road services, or nearby stations (large farms).

History

Eucla was founded in the 1870s. It was an important place for telegraph lines between Western Australia and the rest of the country. A telegraph station was built there in 1877. In the 1890s, a sandstorm partly buried the old station, and the ruins can still be seen today.

Climate

Eucla has a semi-arid climate. This means it is mostly dry, with hot summers and mild winters. It is one of the few places on the Nullarbor with a small amount of greenery, due to underground water.

Tourism

Eucla is a popular stop for people driving across Australia. It has a roadhouse, motel, fuel station, and basic services. Tourists often visit the Eucla Telegraph Station ruins and enjoy views of the Great Australian Bight.

Time Zone

Eucla has its own unofficial time zone called Central Western Time (CWT), which is UTC+8:45. It is not officially recognized but is used locally by residents and businesses.

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Eucla (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.