Cape Le Grand National Park, about a 45-minute drive east of RAC Esperance Holiday Park, is home to some of the best beaches in Australia. This park is best known for its striking coastal scenery, squeaky white sand and tranquil bays of vivid blue water.
Lucky Bay is often featured on lists of the world’s best beaches, due to its postcard-perfect stretch of dazzling white sand and crystal clear turquoise water. It’s also home to friendly kangaroos that frequent the beach. This beach is unique as even 2WD vehicles can drive on its firmly compacted sand.
Nearby, Hellfire Bay is another stunning beach that is much quieter than Lucky Bay. A short but scenic hike connects to its smaller counterpart, Little Hellfire Bay. You’ll find facilities such as toilets and barbeques at Hellfire Bay, making it a great spot for a picnic lunch.
Round out your beach hopping with a visit to the smaller and more secluded Thistle Cove. There are no facilities here other than a lone picnic table, but there are some interesting rock formations, including the aptly named Whistling Rock.
National Park entry fees apply for visiting Cape Le Grand National Park. Facilities are basic, including toilets, gas barbecues, picnic tables and rubbish bins at only some of the beaches. Visitors should come prepared with their own drinking water and food. Remember to follow ‘leave no trace’ principles to help preserve the area’s pristine condition.
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For a relaxed lunch or dinner, head to Lucky Bay Brewing, just a 10-minute drive from RAC Esperance Holiday Park. This award-winning brewery is a favourite among both locals and visitors, not only for its friendly atmosphere but also its commitment to sustainability: it’s the only brewery in Western Australia that sources raw barley directly from local farmers, reducing transportation costs and supporting the local economy.
The brewery features a spacious lawn with a nature playground and charming beer garden, perfect for a sunny day. Enjoy their delicious wood-fired pizzas while listening to live music on weekends. The venue is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends along. During the cooler months, gather around the outdoor fire pit or sink into one of the comfy couches indoors.
Walk-ins are welcome, but if you’re planning to visit with a group of six or more, bookings can be made online.
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Just a 15-minute drive from the town centre, Esperance Stonehenge stands as the only full-size replica of the original Stonehenge in the UK. Constructed from over 2,000 tonnes of Esperance granite, this remarkable replica aligns with the winter and summer solstices, just like its ancient counterpart.
Conveniently located on the way to Cape Le Grand National Park, this unique attraction offers visitors a chance to delve into the history and construction of the site, as a perfect 1:1 replica of the original.
Esperance Stonehenge is open daily, with a small gift shop and café that serves coffee and Devonshire tea. If your visit aligns with the solstice periods in mid-June or December, check their website for special events, such as engaging performances of Shakespeare by an acclaimed theatre troupe within the stone circle.
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The recently revitalised Esperance Foreshore is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll along the coast while exploring some of the town’s key attractions.
Start on foot from RAC Esperance Holiday Park, or park at the Tanker Jetty car park where the lively Coffee Cat café sits in prime position next to a spacious open playground.
As you continue along the foreshore, you’ll reach the striking whale tail sculpture, surrounded by picnic tables and public barbeques. This is also where you’ll find the town’s ocean lap pool and swimming pontoon, making it a great spot for a dip in the warmer months.
Further along, the foreshore extends to include another playground and the popular Esperance Skate Park. Pop into Taylor St Quarters, a popular restaurant with modern Australian cuisine and waterfront views, perfect for catching the sunset.
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Esperance’s Great Ocean Drive is a scenic 40-kilometre loop that showcases some of the region’s spectacular landscapes, with stunning beaches, salt lakes and picturesque lookouts.
Starting from town, begin the drive by visiting some of Esperance town’s renowned beaches, including Blue Haven Beach and West Beach (one of the best sunset spots in town). Make sure to stop at Twilight Beach for a swim in the warmer months. This beach is characterised by its striking granite rock formation just off the shore, which you might catch brave individuals jumping off of. This beach is patrolled on weekends during summer – remember to swim between the flags for safety.
Continuing the drive, stop at Observatory Point. An elevated lookout here offers panoramic views of the surrounding bays, making it an ideal spot for whale watching during the season from June to October.
Eleven Mile Lagoon is tucked away at the end of the coastal stretch of the Drive loop, but offers one of the most sheltered and calm bays with shallow rock pools, perfect for a refreshing ocean dip.
The drive then turns inland, circling the salty expanse of Pink Lake, which, unfortunately, is no longer pink due to changes in salinity levels. You can opt to stop at the scenic lookout here, before continuing the loop back into town.
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Esperance is even more spectacular when viewed from the skies, with an array of bucket-list scenic flights available to book. Admire the vivid multi-hued salt lakes, snow-white sand dunes and crystal-clear turquoise waters of the region from above.
Fly Esperance, a locally owned company, offers a range of tours from brief 35-minute jaunts to extensive all-day adventures. Soar over iconic spots like Twilight Bay, the jaw-dropping bays of Cape Le Grand National Park and experience a kaleidoscope of colours over the vibrant salt lakes.
Scenic flights are available year-round, but for the most vivid views of the salt lakes, the best timing is from April to January. Between February and March, the colours may be less intense due to lower water levels.
In addition to Fly Esperance, HeliSpirit offers helicopter adventures seasonally from December to April. These range from quick joyrides to longer scenic tours to untouched beaches, all departing from the Esperance foreshore.
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Tucked away off the coast of Esperance within a vast archipelago of over 100 islands, Woody Island is a pristine nature escape that can be explored on a day trip. A scenic 40-minute ferry ride with Woody Island Eco Tours transports you to the island, with its coastal walking trails, rich biodiversity and excellent snorkelling opportunities.
On Woody Island, you can explore the nature reserve foot on one of three walking trails. Consider joining a guided bushwalking tour to learn about the island’s unique flora, fauna and history. The island’s clear waters make it one of the best spots in Esperance for snorkelling, with great visibility and marine life such as the elusive Leafy Sea Dragon.
You can cast a line from the Main Jetty, with gear for hire and bait available for purchase at the Visitor Centre. There’s even a waterfront bar that serves full meals and snacks, perfect for refuelling after a hike.
Woody Island is seasonally closed over the cooler months, from June to September.
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Stretch your legs with a scenic hike. With a large number of national parks, bushland trails, and coastal walks waiting to be explored, you’ll find a hiking option to suit every age and fitness level.
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Esperance is an angler’s dream, with many land-based fishing spots to choose from. Head to the Taylor Street Jetty to catch squid, herring and whiting, or walk down to the sandy shorelines to cast your line.
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The Esperance Museum offers a glimpse into the history of Esperance, containing a collection of over 4,000 objects plus a vast archive. The Esperance Museum closes during winter and opening hours vary.
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