A Historical Journey Through the Suburbs of Esperance
Nestled along the pristine coastline of Western Australia, Esperance is a region rich in history, natural beauty, and community spirit. While the town itself is well known for its stunning beaches and vibrant atmosphere, the suburbs that make up the Esperance district each have their own unique story to tell. From early European settlement to agricultural expansion and modern development, let’s take a journey through the history of some of Esperance’s key suburbs.
Esperance Town Centre
The heart of the region, Esperance town centre has long been the hub of economic and social activity. Originally inhabited by the Nyungar people, the area was first visited by European explorers in 1792 when French explorers on the ship Espérance sought shelter in the bay, giving the town its name.
The townsite of Esperance, located on the central south coast of the state, derives its name from the bay on which it is located. Esperance Bay was given this name by Admiral Bruny D'Entrecasteaux, commander of the French expedition which explored this coast in 1792. The name honours the ship Espérance commanded by Captain Huon de Kermadec, which anchored here on 9 December 1792. The bay provided safe anchorage while repairs were made to the Espérance. The name of the other ship in D'Entrecasteaux's expedition, Recherche, is preserved by the naming of the adjacent islands as the Archipelago of the Recherche.
The Esperance townsite was first settled by the Dempster family in the 1860s, with a telegraph station opening in 1876. However, the town was not officially gazetted until 1893. Early European settlers established pastoral properties, grazing sheep over large stations, but it was the gold rush that truly spurred development. As the nearest port to the Coolgardie, Dunda’s and Kalgoorlie Goldfields, Esperance became a vital hub for prospectors and the transportation of supplies. The population grew rapidly in the early 1890s, but when the railway from Perth to the Goldfields was constructed - bypassing Esperance - the town’s growth stalled. In the years that followed, steady agricultural development shaped the town and its surroundings.
Castletown
Located just a few kilometres northeast of the town centre, Castletown is one of Esperance’s oldest suburbs. In the early 1890s, the Esperance Bay Land Company purchased land in this area, intending to establish a townsite called "Newtown" with a planned railway link to Hampton Plains near Coolgardie. A wooden jetty was built in 1894, but after the Esperance Town Jetty was constructed later that year, the Castletown jetty fell into disuse. The company’s land was seized for non-payment of rates in the 1950s and sold cheaply before being officially gazetted as a suburb in 1965. The name Castletown was chosen in honour of Lord Castletown, the principal investor in the company, with many streets named after fellow investors.
Chadwick
The suburb of Chadwick was named after Thelma Marion Chadwick, who became Secretary of the Esperance Roads Board in 1936, beating 43 male applicants for the role. Chadwick became a key industrial hub for the region, supporting agriculture, transport, and logistics. The suburb was gazetted in 1971, with Sims Street named in honour of Thelma’s father, Henry Sims, who had served as the Roads Board Secretary before her.
West Beach
Famous for its picturesque coastline, West Beach has long been a sought-after residential area. Originally used for grazing livestock in the early years of settlement, the suburb transformed into a residential hotspot due to its spectacular ocean views and close proximity to the town centre. It was officially gazetted as a suburb in 1971.
Sinclair
Originally part of Nulsen, Sinclair became a separate suburb in 1985. It was named after Laurence Sinclair, a shepherd for the Dempster brothers who later found work carting supplies during the gold rush of the 1890s. According to legend, his horse, Norseman, unearthed a gold nugget, leading to the discovery of the Norseman goldfields.
Nulsen
Named after Emil Nulsen, a businessman and politician who played a significant role in securing funding for the construction of Esperance’s Tanker Jetty, Nulsen was gazetted as a suburb in 1971. Originally developed for workers and their families, Nulsen remains a close-knit community with essential amenities and services.
Pink Lake
Named after the famous lake that once retained its pink hue due to high salinity and algae, Pink Lake was originally an area for farming and rural properties. While the lake’s colour has now completely faded due to environmental changes, the suburb remains a peaceful, semi-rural location with a strong connection to nature.
Gibson
Located north of Esperance, Gibson was established as a railway stop to support local wheat and livestock farming. When a railway from Norseman to Esperance was proposed around 1910, Gibson Soak was chosen as a site for a town. However, the railway was not built until the 1920s, with the Esperance-Salmon Gums section opening in 1925. The townsite was gazetted in 1921. Gibson Soak, a reliable water source recorded by surveyor A.W. Canning in 1896, was named after Billy Gibson, who discovered it while searching for stock. The historic Gibson Soak Hotel, built in 1896, remains a landmark in the area.
Myrup
Myrup has a history rooted in agriculture and aviation. Known for its fertile land, it became a key farming region in the early 20th century. More recently, Myrup Fly-In Estate has drawn aviation enthusiasts looking for properties with direct runway access, blending history with modern innovation.
Condingup
East of Esperance, Condingup was first settled in the late 19th century and later grew into an important agricultural area. A significant turning point in its development came in the 1950s when the Chase Syndicate opened vast tracts of land for farming. One of its investors, Art Linkletter, played a key role in establishing Condingup Primary School. When the syndicate encountered difficulties, ELD took over the development, driving further growth in the region. Today, Condingup remains a productive farming community, proud of its heritage and strong rural character.
Cape Le Grand & Lucky Bay
While not a suburb in the traditional sense, the Cape Le Grand area is steeped in history and natural significance. Aboriginal people have lived in and travelled through this region for thousands of years, and European explorers later documented its beauty. Lucky Bay, named by Matthew Flinders in 1802, remains one of the most iconic and unspoiled beaches in Australia.
A Region Rich in History
Each suburb in the Esperance district contributes to the region’s rich tapestry of history, from early Indigenous heritage and European exploration to farming settlements and modern development. Whether you’re a long-time local or a visitor, exploring the stories behind these suburbs provides a deeper appreciation of Esperance’s diverse and evolving landscape.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Karli Florrison for her invaluable assistance in sourcing historical information. Karli's passion for the history of Esperance and its surrounding areas is evident through her dedicated research and storytelling. Her contributions, including her work on the Esperance Historic Homesteads Documentary Series with Jennene Riggs, have played a significant role in preserving and sharing the rich history of the region. Please note - These 6 episodes are available to watch via the YouTube link.
Chloe Adams
