Everything you need to know to visit Esperance
Located on the south coast of Western Australia, Esperance is one of Australia’s secret, most beautiful gems. With incredible white beaches, untouched scrub land, and dozens of offshore islands, it makes a great place for a caravan or camper trailer holiday.
A seven-hour road trip from Perth, you can also get to Esperance by air with Virgin Australia, or on the six times a week buses. It will be well worth your while, but with no local public transport, going by car, trailer, or caravan is probably your best bet.
Things to do in Esperance
- Visit the Pink Lake: Though sometimes more white than pink, be sure not to get this stunning location confused with Lake Hillier on Middle Island – also worth visiting at just a six-hour boat ride away. Natural water flow has reduced the salt level at Pink Lake – but it’s still an unusual and impressive site.
- Have a swim or relax on a beach: With vibrant blue water, amazing ocean views, beautiful wetlands, and unique plant life – Esperance’s beaches are reason enough to stop by … for at least a week or three. The beaches can be found all along the 38-kilometre Great Ocean Drive. You’ll definitely want to stop and check out Twilight Bay, with its sculpted rock formations, and Lucky Bay with its super-fine sand. Kangaroos often like to hang out at Lucky Bay, just near the camping ground.
- Visit the Esperance Museum: All the quaint old buildings along Dempster Street are worth a peek. The tiny Methodist Church was built in 1895, and other old buildings have been re-purposed into relaxing cafes. Definitely pop by the town museum. Open only in the afternoon, you’ll have to be quick in order to check all it’s curios, the steam train, and the antiquated machinery.
- Check out the power turbines: Located a short drive to the west of the town, the wind turbines are an impressive site from a distance, but almost intimidating close-up.
- Visit Stonehenge: No, we haven’t got that wrong. Esperance has its own, smoother version of Stonehenge. A full-size replica weighing 2,500 tonnes, and just like the local lake – a little bit pink, this site is just a 15 minute drive out of town. A great time to visit is at sunrise or sunset – especially during the summer or winter solstice.
- Have a beer: Stop by at one of the local pubs which haven’t lost any of their character, and get yourself a locally-made craft beer and a generous lunch.
Where to stay
There are dozens of wonderful caravan parks to stay at in Esperance, all with amazing views and at least the basic facilities. Esperance Seafront Caravan Park is located two kilometres from town and includes caravan and tent sites, as well as cute little cabins, a BBQ area, wireless Internet, and a well-equipped kitchen.
Esperance Bay Holiday Park is a smaller park within walking distance of the town. It also includes laundries, a TV room, a BBQ area, and a small children’s playground.
If you’d like to get away from the crowd, you can try Alexander Bay, in Cape Le Grand National Park and Thomas River in Cape Arid National Park, though you’ll be happy to know that the whole region is off the beaten track, and quiet. The Cape Le Grand is 57 kilometres to the east of Esperance, and there are plenty of opportunities for swimming, surfing, boating, and fishing. The Thomas River camping area is 8.6 kilometres along Thomas River Road, and you’ll need your own water and stove. You’ll be impressed by the display of bird life and flora in the area.
When to go
Visit Esperance in the summer, when temperatures are warm and you won’t be interrupted by rain. In the winter months, typical highs are around 18 degrees, and rain is more common.
