What To See In Esperance
Esperance is a regional city in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, on the Southern Ocean coastline approximately 720 kilometres east-southeast of the state capital, Perth or 483 kilometres east of Albany. It has some of the world’s best beaches and a string of islands, known as the Recherche Archipelgo. We arrived here after crossing the Nullarbor Plain on our epic caravan trip around Australia, and were inquisitive as to what to see in Esperance.
Esperance History
Esperance was discovered in 1792 by two French ships, L’Esperance and Recherche, and then further explored by Matthew Flinders in 1802. With the discovery of gold in Dundas, Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in 1895, Esperance became a large port to serve the goldfields. The port also served and continues to serve the surrounding prosperous wheat belt region.
Today, Esperance boasts not only Australia’s best beaches and whitest sand, but also a variety of other attractions. Cape le Grand and Cape Arid National Parks, to name a few, are located to the east of Esperance and are both breathtaking.
What To See in Esperance
With so much to do in and around Esperance, it was hard to decide what to do first. So here are what we found to be the best things to do in Esperance during our week long stay.
Cape le Grand National Park
We set off on a day trip approximately 50 kms east of Esperance, to Western Australia’s best known and most spectacular national parks. Cape le Grand National Park offers the most perfect vistas of coastal flora, granite rock formations, towering headlands, tranquil white sandy bays with crystal clear waters, an abundance of wildlife and a peak that you can climb to the summit for panoramic views of the entire park.
There are 15 kms of coastal tracks that run from le Grand Beach, via Hellfire Bay to Rossiter Bay, that features excellent park and coastal views. The magnificent Lucky Bay, with Australia’s whitest sand and Kangaroos that frequent the beach is an experience not to be missed.
For the hale and hearty, scale the 3 km steep rocky cliff face to the top of Frenchman Peak, and take a photo through the hole in the rock sitting on the summit, for the greatest views of the park. Campers are provided for in two fabulous camp areas within the park so stay for a few days and explore the entire terrain.
Cape Arid National Park
Further east of Esperance, about 120 kms, is the even more remote Cape Arid National Park. Most of this park is four wheel drive only and features magnificent granite headlands, crystal clear waters and sparkling white sands.
There are many nature and coastal trails that you can walk including the Len Otte Nature Trail, Tagon Coastal Walk, Boolenup Walk and Mt Ragged Walk. So pack your backpack and put on your hiking shoes for some views over the wild coastline and wilderness of the park for some wildlife encounters.
Duke of Orleans Bay
We discovered the amazing Duke of Orleans Bay around 85kms east of Esperance, via the small town of Condingup. It is renowned for the sweeping beach called Wharton Beach, that you can four wheel drive along for kilometres, and the more intimate beach – Little Wharton Beach, with lots of interesting rock pools for exploration.
Views from the granite headland, called Hammer Head, out to Table Island and the islands of the Recherche Archipelago were to die for.
Great Ocean Drive or Ride in Esperance
Walk, ride a bike or drive the 40 km loop of the Great Ocean Drive, just west of Esperance to capture the picturesque coastline and Western Australia’s most popular beach, Twilight Cove.
Along the route there are many lookouts and viewing platforms to enjoy the stunning scenery including Observatory Point which gives 360 degree views.
Once the drive heads inland it will take you through rural countryside to the intriguing Pink Lake (that is no longer pink!) Stop by at the Section Glass Gallery & Café which is a working studio of awarded glass artist, Cindy Poole. Her jewellery creations are gorgeous!
Other Things To Do in Esperance
Closer to the town of Esperance there are more Esperance attractions, including:
- Strolling along the newly refurbished foreshore of Esperance and walk out onto the Tanker jetty and maybe dangle a line.
Tanker Jetty in Esperance - 18 kms out of town is the exciting Esperance Stonehenge which is a replica of the original Stonehenge.
- Go on a fishing or diving charter with one of the charter boat operators in town.
- There is an ‘Arts Trail’ which you can follow taking in the local arts and crafts workshops and galleries scattered throughout the region.
- Visit the Museum Village and the Municipal Museum to learn about the history of the area.
Esperance Municipal Museum - Take the kids out to the Esperance Bird and Animal Park for some wildlife encounters.
- Take a look at the famous pioneer family Dempster Homestead, which was built in 1867.
Head to the port precinct where there are great adventure playgrounds for the kids, a small steam train that you can ride on, a sandy little beach safe for swimming at Taylor’s Beach and a lovely café called Taylor’s Beach Café where you can stop for a coffee and a bite to eat with views out over the park and port area.
Esperance Caravan Parks
There are several Caravan Parks located close to town, and one located at Pink Lake out of town, with most being pet-friendly. We phoned ahead to make a booking and at that time we could only get a caravan site at Bather’s Paradise Caravan Park, that is located 3.5 kms out of town near Bather’s Beach. We found this caravan park was perfect with lovely grassy shady sites and only one block back from the beach.
Esperance is one place that many travellers to Western Australia miss. However Esperance is most definitely one destination that I would add to my must see list. It offers the chance to escape to a paradise, devoid of high rise buildings, traffic lights and crowds, with pristine beaches, over a hundred islands and spectacular national parks – what more could you ask for!
How strange they would make a replica of Stonehenge! Why isn’t Pink Lake pink anymore? I would have felt cheated if I’d gone and found that out!
I thought a Stonehenge replica was pretty weird too. Apparently they spent a fortune recreating the original, but although we drove past it we didn’t stop to see it. The Pink Lake has lost it’s colour due to the decline in the salt level in the water. It did kind of have a pink hue to it however.
Fantastic overview of Esperance! I love the photos, especially the one with the emus on the beach.
Thanks Bonny, it was easy to write a great review of Esperance. It was magical!
I keep saying to my partner we need to go back to Esperance so we can see kangaroos on the beach but now i need to add emu’s to the list!
Ha ha yes, it is pretty special seeing wildlife on the beaches near Esperance. It does have some of the most stunning coastline and beaches in Australia I feel. We spent a week here exploring 2 years ago. :)
How awesome is that? Wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing!
Esperance is an awesome place! The photos barely do the place justice, it is so good. Thanks for dropping by my blog Jeff. :)
Oh my…..Esperance looks amazing. We haven’t been across to the west coast yet so all these gorgeous pics of yours are making me want to go right NOW!
Esperance is awesome! It simply takes your breath away. You must get over to the West – you will love every part of it. :)
Brilliant pictures. Esperance sounds and looks wonderful with so much to see and do. Sounds strange to have recreated Stonehenge, though! I live in England so I am nearer to the original Stonehenge than this one!
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Thanks for visiting my blog. Yes I thought a replica Stonehenge in such a remote location was very strange. Only in Australia! Esperance is a magnificent place – so much raw natural beauty. :)
What a beautiful area! Thanks for sharing the photos. I hope to visit Australia someday.
Trudy you should definitely put Australia on your must see list. It will take your breath away. :)
Esperance is so beautiful. Your photos have brought back lots of happy memories for me. We’ve visited twice, living in WA it’s only a hop skip and a jump – LOL! It’s still a good 8 hours away. But worth it … as you have shown, it’s one of the wonders of the world – the beaches, the remoteness, the flora and fauna. Truly amazing. Twilight Beach is one of my fave beaches in the world, so too Lucky Bay with its crunchy white sand. Great post – loved it!
Twilight Beach and Lucky Beach were two of my favourites as well with Wharton Beach at Duke of Orleans Bay coming in at third place. I could easily return to this paradise again and again. Shame it’s so far away!
What a neat place. We are thinking about heading to western Australia later in the year. I will ahve to add Esperance to the list.
Esperance is a definite must see for the South West region of WA. You will never such pristine uninhabited beaches like the ones here. There are even kangaroos and emus on some of the beaches!
Beaches and a glass artist..what’s not to love? We’ve only been as far as Albany….one day. WA has magnificent beaches.
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Family History Across The Seas
I must have some sort of affinity with the ocean because I love beaches. It is always the first place I want to see at a new destination. When we were travelling across the middle of Australia from WA through the NT to Qld I was missing the sight of the beach. Once we arrived at Yeppoon I felt Like I was home again! I agree – WA does have some of the best beaches in Australia.
What an amazing landscape. I’ve never seen emus on the beach. Lovely to see your lovely old Lab. We were among the people who missed Esperance. Can’t wait!
These are amazing landscapes Jan. You must put this on your travel itinerary if you’re going over to the West.
Esperance is a beautiful place, and you have showcased it beautifully Kathy. – and the beaches are, they say’ the whitest in Australia. They certainly are squeaky clean and white and the ocean so blue and cold!
Thank you Jill. Esperance was one of the many highlights on our trip around Australia. Like you say the beaches are absolutely stunning, but the water was very cold!
The main “sight” I remember from our time in Esperance was the very tame sea lion which used to come up to the jetty and wait for people to feed him fish! Hubby and kids went out four wheel driving on the hilly sand dunes with some other people from our caravan park but I was sick and didn’t go.
Oh that would have been a thrill. We never saw any sea lions when we were there. It’s a great place in the South West of Western Australia.
Such a great post <3 Hope that one day I could have a chance to visit Esperance and others destination in Western Australa. I love the fresh air and beautiful landscape here. I also have some friends here, they are very kind and friendly. I`m sure that my experience there will be one of the most memorable moments in my life. Thank you
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