The ecoregion is a transitional zone between the Mediterranean-climate forests, woodlands, and shrublands of Southwest Australia and the deserts and dry scrublands of the Australian interior.

It is bounded on the north and east by the Nullarbor Plains xeric shrublands.

[2] The ecoregion is home to several plant communities, including eucalyptus woodlands and shrublands of mallee and acacia.

Woodlands of Salmon gum (Eucalyptus salmonophloia) and gimlet (Eucalyptus salubris) are common in central Coolgardie, generally on rolling plains and river valleys on red loam soils over red clay.

The woodlands are open and irregular, and with an understory of low shrubs (including Maireana sedifolia and Atriplex spp.