A remote yet stunning place, Esperance is worth a visit on your next trip to Western Australia. Looking for things to do in Esperance? This guide will take you through the Best Places To Explore In Esperance. You’ll find Esperance along the Southern Ocean after driving 8-hours Southeast from Perth.
Explore Cape Le Grand National Park
The National Park is located about 45 minutes east of Esperance town. It can be visited as a day trip from Esperance town.
Or you can stay overnight at the Campground. Which has limited camping sites and I’d recommend booking well in advance as it’s a popular spot. Camping sites are $30 per night for 2 people. Park entrance fees (in 2022), $25 for a 5 day park pass to all the national parks in WA. If your staying for longer there are other options to Click Here for more information.
Lucky Bay
Once you’ve entered Cape Le Grand National Park, head to Lucky Bay. Lucky Bay is famous for the kangaroos that sometimes hang out on the beach. If your lucky enough to spot one. Either way this is a beautiful beach and is definitely worth visiting. The beach has turquoise blue waters and white sand. Plus 2WD drives can drive out onto the compacted sand.
Hellfire Bay and Little Hellfire Bay
Hellfire Bay is a beautiful long stretch of white sandy beach. You can also hike over to it’s smaller beach via the short 15 minute hike from Hellfire Bay to Little Hellfire Bay which offer scenic views of the coast.
Visit the Whistling Rock at Thistle Cove
Thistle Cove is a smaller beach located outside the National Park. You can also check out the sometimes whistling “Whistling Rock”. The path to the right leads down to the sand, but a shorter path to the left leads to some panoramic views and an unusual rock. Whistling Rock is a giant bent slab, standing vertically and curved in such a way that ambient sounds are focused and amplified.
Wharton Beach
Hike to the summit of Frenchman’s Peak
Driving into Cape Le Grand National Park you will begin to see the peak appear in the distance as you head in towards to the coast. Its name came from the resemblance in shape of a hat worn French troops in the 1800’s. Whilst it’s not a long hike, it is fairly steep and involves scaling up a large steep rock face. Reaching the top, climb down into a cave for amazing views of the surrounding park and coastline. Make sure to head out of the cave and continue on to the very peak for stunning 360 degree views. The hike is 3km return and allow 2 hours.
Esperance Foreshore
From the jetty to Bow park is a 4.8km return walk along the foreshore trail.
Whylie Beach
One for the drone users – this spot about 15 minutes out of town is awesome for getting some aerial shots of the sand bar. Its a lot of fun walking out across the sandbar, but make sure you go at low tide!
Explore the Great Ocean Drive Loop
Esperance’s Great Ocean Drive is a 40 km circular loop featuring stunning scenery, amazing beaches, rocky out cliffs and a wind farm. Check out the 23 stops and attractions on the full drive here. You can also Hire or take your bike along the Great Ocean Trail. The ride begins at the Rotary lookout and ends at Twilight beach. You also have the option to continue the trail out to Pink Lake lookout and back to town.
Twilight Beach
A beach close to town on the Great Ocean Drive that is a popular swimming spot. I’ve heard people jump off the large rock in the middle of the bay. This beach is patrolled by surf life savers over the summer months too making it a family friendly beach option.
Lookout at Observatory Point
The lookout to the left takes you down a long set of wooden stairs over to the point, while the lookout on the right and up the stairs provides some spectacular views of the coastline and Observatory Island.
Eleven Mile Lagoon
It’s the furthest beach along the Great Ocean Drive and is well worth the drive out. This beach has large flat rocks which create small rock pools worth exploring. The beach on the left also changes dramatically with the tides, forming a natural lagoon at high tide.
Rotary Lookout
There are 4 walks from the Lookout
– Lovers Cove Walk. 1.3km 30 minute return, Follow the Blue arrows. Along the way stop past the Lookout that has views over Southern Ports and Esperance Bay. Once you reach Lovers Cove it is abeautiful beach for a swim. Return via the same path.
– Rotary Walk. 790 meters 20 minutes return. Follow the Yellow Arrows.
– Taananeditj summit. 535 meters 15 minutes loop. an extension to the Rotary Loop. Follow the Red arrows. The summit gives you views over West Beach.
West Beach Link. Follow the Green arrows, 320 meters 10 minute return walk.
Woody Lake Nature Reserve
Located about 10 minutes out of the center of Esperance on the way to Cape Le Grand National Park. Stop past Woody Lake Nature reserve. There is a 7km one way Keepwari trail along the lakes, there are bird hides along the way to.
Lucky Bay Brewery
Located out at bandy Creek on the way to Whylie beach is Lucky Bay Brewery. Paddle Boards start from $19.50 for 4x 200 ml beers. They also have Wood fired pizzas from $20.
Click Here for the Best places to see along the Nullabor.