The Australian Bucket List

Western Australia

EsperanceEsperance is utterly dreamy. Known for its long stretches of pure, white sand. Sand that literally sparkles in the sunlight. And some of the clearest waters in Australia.

A beach and nature-lover's dream, Esperance is blessed with squeaky-clean white sand, turquoise waters, untouched islands and colour-filled wildflower country. Among its most famous beauty spots is Australia's whitest beach, Lucky Bay - set against a stunning seascape of 110 islands of the Recherche Archipelago, even the kangaroos can't resist hanging out here. It's a one-and-a-half-hour flight or eight-hour drive south-east from Perth, making Esperance an ideal get-away-from-it-all holiday. Many attractions are easily accessible, with plenty of guided tour options, but a four-wheel drive is a must if you want to venture off the beaten track. The calm, clear waters of Blue Haven Beach and Twilight Cove, just a short drive from town, are idyllic spots for swimming and snorkelling. If you're seeking waves, hit the surf at West Beach, Fourth Beach or Observatory Beach. To hook dinner, throw in a line out near Bandy Creek Harbour or try your luck rock fishing at Salmon Beach located out along the Great Ocean Drive. Back in town, the adventure continues with four-wheel drive beach safaris, Indigenous cultural tours, coach tours, island cruises, diving and fishing charters, sand boarding, canoeing, mini-golf and steam train rides. Check out the arts centre and galleries, making time to drop into the museum to view what's left of the NASA Skylab after it slammed back down to Earth near Balladonia. On the way to Cape Le Grand, you'll even find a slice of ancient druid history with a full-size replica of Stonehenge. A good choice of hotels, motels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, chalets and hostels are available in Esperance. For something a little nearer to nature, hop on a ferry to Woody Island and pitch your tent or stay in a safari hut. There's also the chance to bunk down under the stars beside the beach at Lucky Bay. The campsite has solar hot showers, camp kitchens and barbecues, and bushwalking trails and spectacular coastal views are just a few steps away.

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Things to do

Redsands Campers

RedSands Campers is Australia’s most well-equipped and premium four-wheel drive (4WD) camper. With depots in Perth, Broome, Darwin and Adelaide, customers have the flexibility to get off-road and discover the amazing landscapes that Australia has to offer. RedSands Campers are designed around the reliable and comfortable Toyota Hilux 4WD, individually customised with premium quality roof top tents and fully-equipped camp kitchens. The 2-people and 5-people campers are built tough for the outback with long-range fuel tanks, upgraded suspension, off-road tyres and bull bars with side steps.

See the views! Observatory Point and Lookout

Observatory Point and Lookout offer magnificent views across the coastline of Cape Le Grand National Park. Examine the memorial placed at the lookout commemorating the explorers who took shelter from the storm in 1792. Keep an eye out for the spectacular sight of whales that can often be seen swimming through the surrounding ocean between June and October. Attractions in the park are plentiful. Take a stroll along numerous walk trails during wildflower season for a breathtaking display of nature's beauty. Cast a reel into the ocean to catch fresh salmon for an evening feast. You may be rewarded with the unusual sight of kangaroos sunbathing on the pristine beaches. Also, include a visit to the bird sanctuary which is home to numerous native birds. Regarded as one of the most spectacular National Parks in Western Australia, Cape Le Grand is a 30-minute drive from Esperance and nine hours drive or one-and-a-half hours flying time from Perth.

Take a tour with Xplore Eyre

Xplore Eyre has been proudly showcasing the remote and spectacular destinations of the South West region for years. Whether it's exploring Esperance, Margaret River, Albany or heading off on a 10-day journey across the mighty Nullarbor. Their nature and culinary journeys offer incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a level of personalised service that will wow. Launching a range of private luxury tours from Perth, their trips are filled with delectable food and wine experiences, stunning scenery, Indigenous culture and some of the best wildlife experiences in Australia. They offset their carbon footprint internally by planting trees on their 3,000-acre farm retreat Coodlie Park on the Eyre Peninsula. Get off the beaten track and experience the real Australia with Xplore Eyre!

Archipelago of the Recherche

Nearly 100 untouched islands make up the stunning Archipelago of the Recherche off the coast of Esperance in the remote south-east of Western Australia. There, you can see amazing wildlife including sea eagles and colonies of sea lions and fur seals which go there to breed. Get up close to these incredible creatures on a boat cruise from Esperance. Known by the locals as the Bay of Isles, the Recherche Archipelago is pristine wilderness at its best. From land, the bay is one of Australia's most beautiful seascapes. Pure white sand melts into turquoise water with islands scattered here and there. Many of the smaller islands are granite outcrops while one of the largest, known as Woody Island, offers camping, bushwalking, fishing and swimming. Woody Island is perfect for nature lovers. There is plenty of native bush, stunning lagoons for swimming and snorkelling and a variety of wildlife including bandicoots and wallabies. The island is open for camping and offers excellent facilities which range from basic campsites to safari huts with views over the bush to Shearwater Bay. Esperance is a day's drive from Perth or you can fly there in an hour and a half.

Explore Cape Le Grand National Park

There aren’t too many places in Australia where kangaroos sun-bake on the beach, but at Cape Le Grand National Park this is just one of the many natural highs on offer. This pristine park near Esperance is known for its stunning scenery and idyllic beaches where you can go swimming, bush-walking, fishing and camping. The landscape changes from massive granite outcrops to freshwater pools and unbelievably white sandy beaches with views over many islands. Lucky Bay is home to a colony of friendly kangaroos which are often seen soaking up the sun. It also offers a great campsite and picnic area with beachside views. There are many bushwalking trails through the park which traverse the rugged coast and beaches – enjoy the views and then stop off for a refreshing dip in the ocean. Rock-climbing is popular at Frenchman’s Peak and Mount Le Grand. In spring Cape Le Grand National Park bursts into colour as wildflowers bloom, including groves of banksia. Cape Le Grand National Park by car takes about 45 minutes from Esperance. Day tours operate into the park. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Visit Woody Island Nature Reserve

Woody Island Nature Reserve off the coast of Esperance is just the spot for nature lovers. Surrounded by pristine bushland and ocean, there’s plenty of time for bushwalking, hiking, swimming, snorkelling and fishing. Woody Island is part of the 100 islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago or Bay of Isles as it’s known by locals. It’s the only island that is open to the public from a cruise/charter. All sorts of marine life thrive in the waters surrounding Woody Island including fur seals, sea lions and dolphins. On land, you might see marsupials like bandicoots and wallabies as well as a range of birds including rare sea eagles. To learn more about the local wildlife visit the interpretive centre on the island. There’s a swimming platform and an underwater snorkel trail – or you can just relax and soak up the tranquillity. It takes about half an hour for the Woody Island Eco Tour ferry to reach the Island from Esperance - check availability and prices with the Esperance Visitor Centre. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

Join Woody Island Eco Tours

Welcome to Woody Island. Woody Island Eco Tours is the official operator of the island's facilities. Their friendly staff look forward to welcoming you to their slice of paradise, where they will endeavour to help you create a most memorable experience. Rich in history, Woody Island is one of the 105 islands in the Recherche Archipelago located just 15 kilometres off the coast of Esperance, Western Australia. The island is ideally situated to provide you and your family/friends/colleagues a daytrip adventure. Equally, the facilities and accommodation available make it a great opportunity to take your time and relax, spend a few days and really soak up the natural and unique island environment. Whether you’re a visitor to the picturesque Esperance region or a local looking to escape the ordinary – embark on a trip to Woody Island, Esperance, Western Australia. Come for the day or stay overnight in one of their tents or safari huts. Swim, snorkel, fish and explore the island or simply just relax on the beach… Read about their day trips to Woody Island or discover more about their catamaran the “Cetacean Explorer”.

Grab a beer at Lucky Bay Brewing

At Lucky Bay Brewing they love beer and love brewing truly local craft beer even more. Lucky Bay Brewing is a microbrewery with a difference, making the most genuinely local craft beer in Australia. They ventured into the world of beer science and after years of beer crafting, they pioneered how to create tasty craft beers using up to 75 per cent raw barley. Meaning they can get barley direct from local farmers to use in their brews. Lucky Bay Brewing is the first and only brewery in Australia to do so. Raw barley does not need the water, energy or food miles that malted barley does to be produced. It comes directly from the farm up the road to Lucky Bay Brewing into your beer. So it’s local and environmentally friendly = true Aussie beer! They use pure ingredients, fresh rainwater, real hops and no preservatives with their premium local barley to bring you brews you will want to savour to the last drop, just like the local beaches.

Camp at Cape Le Grand Camp at Cape Le Grand National Park

Located within Cape Le Grand National Park, Cape Le Grand Campground is ideal for enjoying water-based activities including diving, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and snorkelling. You can also fish and launch small boats in the area, although campers are advised that it is very easy for vehicles to get bogged in the wet and dry sand of the beach. Cape Le Grand Campground has 15 campsites that can accommodate tents and regular size campervans, camper trailers and caravans. A camp kitchen is provided with a gas barbecue and burners, hot and cold running water (untreated) and a dishwashing sink. Showers with solar water heating are also available. Campfires are not permitted at any time. Park entry fees apply. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au.

Take the Great Ocean Drive

The Great Ocean Drive is a 38-kilometre circular loop drive taking in some of the most beautiful coastal scenery Australia has to offer. The sheltered, pristine beaches with their crystal clear waters and snow-white sands, including the popular Twilight Beach, are ideal for family swimming, surfing, windsurfing and fishing. Also included in the drive is the Rotary lookout, the Western Power wind farms, Observatory Point and the unique Pink Lake. A walking and cycling trail from the Rotary lookout to Salmon Beach is a pleasant way to see the sights. Please keep in mind to take care whenever on the coastal rocks or swimming, your enjoyment and safety is our concern, but your responsibility.

Go 4WD'ing on the beach at Cape Arid National Park

For four-wheel driving along vast white beaches, colourful wildflowers, whale watching, fishing and swimming at secluded bays, a visit to Cape Arid National Park 120 kilometres east of Esperance is a must. Most of the tracks within the park are accessible only by four-wheel-drive - be rewarded with beautiful coastal scenery of granite outcrops, dunes and stands of mallee trees, banksia and paperbark. Camp under a star-filled sky and there's a good chance you'll spot local nocturnal animals like honey possums, wallabies and kangaroos. Take your pick from scenic picnic spots including Thomas River, Mount Ragged or Seal Creek. Self-guided walking trails range from 1-4 hours and take you deep into native bushland and along coastal heaths with views over the Southern Ocean - you may even spot southern right whales offshore. Not surprisingly, the swimming is idyllic, while bays like Yokinup are popular for windsurfing. Good camping facilities can be found at Thomas River or Duke of Orleans Bay Caravan Park. Cape Arid National Park is an hour's drive east of Esperance. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au

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