A man has been charged with murder following a death at a remote Western Australian roadhouse. 

Emergency services were called to Salmon Gums Roadhouse, halfway between Esperance and Norseman in the state's south east, at 12:30am on Friday to help a 51-year-old man who was seriously injured. 

Police and St John Ambulance staff attended the incident but the man could not be revived and he died at the scene.

Homicide detectives then took a 27-year-old man, who is known to the victim, into custody.

He charged with murder on Saturday.

A police spokesperson said the man had been refused bail and was due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court, via video link, on Sunday.

Salmon Gums, which is about 100 kilometres north of Esperance and south of Norseman, is home to about 150 people.

It is loved by travellers for its namesake trees, historic buildings and fondness for country quirk.

But instead of pulling into its roadhouse on Saturday, visitors took a confused look and kept driving. 

Police tape was strung between the petrol bowsers and officers walked about in blue forensic suits. 

Sam Starcevich, a local farmer and long-time resident, said the man who died was relatively new to the area but was a valued community member.

"He was settling in," she said.

"He was great for a chat when you went into the roadhouse.

Ms Starcevich urged community members to seek help if they needed it and to respect the police investigation.

"It's a horrible, terrible tragedy that has happened," she said.

"It does affect you. It's sad. It's a tragic event."