The vast open spaces of Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields and the remnants of mines and mining towns scattered across it make it one of the country's most unique regions. The Eastern Goldfields region is one of contrasts with gold and nickel mining in the north and agriculture and fishing in the south.

The goldrush years of the late nineteenth century brought the region to prominence and mining continues to be the dominant industry. Gold generates most revenue followed by an expanding nickel industry that is being assisted by recent technological advancements for processing laterite ore. Improving transport infrastructure and energy supplies are expected to strengthen the region's future contribution to the State's economy.

The Eastern Goldfields is fast becoming one of Australia's most popular self drive destinations, offering a unique holiday experience. The area's attractions are wide and varied - the exploits of the early prospectors in pursuit of gold, the magnificent turn of the century architecture throughout the region, the amazing Super Pit at Kalgoorlie, abandoned ghost towns.

In reality most of the other regions of Western Australia could fit under the broad heading of outback Western Australia, because there is very little of Western Australia outside of the agriculuralised south west corner of the state that has been affected by any degree of human development.