One handy guide with absolutely everything you need to plan your trip to Esperance.
Where’s Esperance?
You’ll find this pocket of paradise 700km south-east of Perth, skirting the bottom of Western Australia. It’s around 700km east of Margaret River and 950km west of the South Australian border. Esperance is huge, spanning over 42,000sq/km in total.
Is Esperance worth visiting?
Hell yes. Think jaw-droppingly beautiful beaches with pale blue, crystal-clear waters and squeaky snow-white sand, ancient landscapes, rugged granite outcrops, an archipelago of 110 wild islands, stunning hikes, endless places to fish, surf and go off-road, a family-friendly foreshore and one of the most picture-perfect loops in the world, the Great Ocean Drive. Oh, and did we mention kangaroos on the beach?
How many days should I spend in Esperance?
Look, you can do it in five days at a stretch – but we highly recommend at least eight days in Esperance to absorb so many eye-popping sights.
Where do I start?
There’s a ridiculous number of stunning beaches spanning 100km to the East of Esperance and 40km to the West, and you’ll want to see them all. We recommend you start in Duke of Orleans in the East and make your way West across to 11 Mile Bay. You’ll find more details on this in our Esperance Roadtrip.
How do I get to Esperance?
A Rex flight will get you there in an hour-and-a-half but you WILL need to hire a car on arrival (with no Ubers or taxis in Esperance, this is kind of non-negotiable). Car hire is available from Esperance Airport.
TransWA offers a bus service that leaves from East Perth station and stops in at Kulin and Hyden along the way. It’s a 10.5-hour trip and again, you absolutely will need a hire car when you arrive.
The best way to get to Esperance is to drive your own set of wheels down. This will take around seven-and-a-half hours. See our Esperance Roadtrip for more details on where to stop along the way or our Guide to Country Driving in WA for tips on how to stay safe on regional roads.
Hot tip: If you want a taste of Esperance van life, hire a van from Camplify.
When is the best time to visit Esperance?
We recommend: December to March
If you want to swim in those azure seas without losing a toe to frostbite, and enjoy expansive blue skies and warm, sunny days, summer is your best bet. Be warned, the water is fresh here even when the sun is out, so pack a wetsuit if you’re not a fan of cold water.
A wee bit chillier: April, May, September, November
You’ll get a mixed bag of weather conditions during this time, so come prepared for the full gamut of sunshine to storms. The perfect time to do one of the many beautiful hikes in the region, such as Frenchmen’s Peak.
Bloody freezing, but with added bonuses: June, July, August
With an average day temperature of 8 degrees, you’ll need to pack your thermals, your puffiest Kathmandu parka and a brolly. But this is the best time to score a coveted campsite in beautiful Cape le Grand and to watch whales migrating across the Southern Ocean, so it ain’t all bad (but if it’s warm days and sunshine you’re after, head north to the Coral Coast or Broome instead).
Will I get mobile phone coverage in Esperance?
This depends on your provider. Telstra coverage is your best bet, though it’s patchy in places (hello 3G in Duke of Orleans Bay).
Where should I stay in Esperance?
If you’re starting in Duke of Orleans Bay, we suggest a few nights at Orleans Bay Caravan Park. It’s a quick five-minute drive to one of Esperance’s most beautiful beaches, Wharton Beach, voted by many as one of Australia’s best. Free camps are also available at Membinup Beach (35 mins from Wharton Beach) and Condingup Community Oval (20 mins from Wharton Beach).
When it comes to exploring the magic of Cape le Grand National Park, try and get yourself a camping spot at Lucky Bay or Le Grand Beach campsites. Be warned, it’s not easy and sites in the summer period usually get snapped up the second they’re released. Plan ahead and check in regularly for cancellations. A few days here will mean plenty of time to explore obscenely beautiful Lucky Bay, Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove and Le Grand beach, a hike to the top of Frenchmen’s Peak and walking the stunning 15km Cape Le Grand Coastal Trail.
Finish up with a few nights at RAC Caravan Park Esperance. Hands down one of the fanciest, cleanest, loveliest, caravan parks we’ve stayed in, and the perfect base to start exploring the delights on the west side (Great Ocean Drive, Woody Island etc).
Can I get a decent coffee in Esperance?
You’d better believe it (well, in Esperance town at least). Downtown Espresso Bar is the most popular spot for a killer coffee, but Coffee Cat on the Esplanade gives it a real run for its money and does a cracking loose-leaf oat chai latte if you’re that way inclined.
What about icecream?
Yes! The lovely folk at the charming Aurelia’s Ice Creamery and Café has just about every flavour of creamy goodness, including our all-time favourite, Hokey-Pokey.
Where else should I eat in Esperance?
Bread Local will have you dreaming forever of their baked bread, pastries and towering gum trees. Fish tacos and beer go down a treat at Lucky Bay Brewing. For fancy-pants dining and pretty cocktails, head to Taylor St Quarters. Pub grub and mains the size of your head can’t be beaten at Condingup Tavern.
*We pay where we stay and only recommend the special places. Deep Dive is put together with love and lived experience, to help you explore the beautiful state of WA and the world outside of it. If you found this article useful, consider buying us a coffee to help us survive!
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