Gimlets – a standout feature of the Great Western Woodlands

Eucalyptus salubris (Gimlet) is endemic to low-rainfall areas of the wheatbelt and goldfields regions of WA. Image credit: Tripadvisor/ Norseman Visitor Centre.

Gimlet. Funny name for a tree. 

That said, nothing marks your arrival onto the Goldfields better than the gimlet.  

Picture this. You’re heading east with Southern Cross way behind. Almost abruptly, the hard land with hard sheep changes to polished, toffee-coloured tree trunks catching the western sun.  

These are gimlets, with a soft “g”, giving the lie to the misconception that road trips in the Australian bush are boring. Our trees are always changing, but the changes can be subtle. Not so with the gimlets. 

Gimlet specimens were collected in1875 by the Ernest Giles expedition. They were later named eucalyptus salubris, which is Latin for “wholesome” or “beneficial”. 

Salubris is one of nine gimlet species, all with Latin second names like jimberianica, cravida, tenebra, effusa  et cetera. 

Because its twisted trunks resemble a carpenter’s gimlet used for boring holes in wood, it looks like our gimlet could have been named by a chippy! 

Gimlets grow from between 4 to 15 metres. September to March sees them with white or cream flowers. So, early spring to late summer is your best time to make that entry into Kalgoorlie, welcomed by gimlets in flower. 

David de Vos, Parks Ambassador