Esperance had been on my list for a while, but it wasn’t until we spent a few days here over Christmas that I properly understood the hype. Esperance is a small coastal town located on the south coast of Western Australia and is home to some of the best beaches in the country, with bright white sand, clear water, and beach after beach that somehow all look just as good as the last.
We spent five nights in Esperance, beach hopping during the day and making the most of our time in town. Below is a guide on when to visit, how to get there, where to stay and eat, and the beaches I’d happily go back to.
When to visit
Esperance is beautiful year round, but the warmer months from October to March are generally the best time to visit, with warmer weather and conditions that are ideal for days spent at the beach.
How to get there
By car — 8 hours (from Perth)
In my opinion, this is the best option, as you’ll need a car to visit most of the beaches. If you’re not driving from Perth, I’d recommend hiring a car once you arrive in Esperance.
By plane — 1 hour 35 minutes
Flights are available from Perth to Esperance with REX Airlines.
By bus — 10 hours*
Coaches operated by TransWA run from Perth to Esperance most days.
Where to stay
Esperance Chalet Village
The iconic chalet village is a must stay when visiting Esperance. ECV has a variety of accommodation options and is less than 10 minutes drive from the town centre. There is a range of different sized chalets and cabins that can accomodate up to four people. This includes a family sized cottage and a rustic cabin with a bathtub.
Esperance Chalet Village also features in my post on Unique Stays in WA, you can find more details of our stay here.
Lucky Bay Campground
Located within Cape Le Grand National Park, Lucky Bay Campground is prime real estate for beachside camping, with the white sand and clear water just steps from your campsite.
Esperance Bay Holiday Park
Esperance Bay Holiday Park is a good family friendly option in the town centre, with a mix of accommodation including self contained units, cabins, grassed sites for tents and camper trailers, and powered sites for caravans and motorhomes.
Where to eat
Downtown Espresso Bar
A good spot for coffee and something small to eat.
Lucky Bay Brewery
A good option after a day at the beach, with tasting paddles and woodfired pizza.
Taylor St Quarters
Located right on the water, this is a nice spot for a drink or dinner, especially around sunset.
Must see beaches
Lucky Bay
If you’ve seen photos of Esperance, chances are you’ve come across Lucky Bay. Known for its resident kangaroos, bright white sand and turquoise water, it’s easy to see why it’s often considered one of the best beaches in Australia. Located in Cape Le Grand National Park, this 5km stretch of coastline is accessible by 4WD (or even 2WD if you’re feeling confident), making it easy to spend the day set up right on the beach.
We spent Christmas Day here and, as expected, it was busy. This unfortunately meant we didn’t see any kangaroos on the beach. However, we did spot a couple hopping through the bush near the car park as we were heading home.
Hellfire Bay
Also located in Cape Le Grand National Park, Hellfire Bay stood out as one of the better swimming spots. The water is clear and calm, making it a good option for swimming or snorkelling, and there are plenty of rocks around the bay to sit and take it all in.
Little Hellfire Bay
An easy 15–20 minute walk from the Hellfire Bay car park leads to Little Hellfire Bay, a smaller and more secluded beach. It’s a quieter option, and worth the short walk if you’re looking to get away from the more popular spots.
Wharton Beach
Located about an hour from Esperance, Wharton Beach is well and truly worth the drive. Featuring squeaky white sand and incredibly vibrant turquoise waters, this is one of the most amazing beaches in Esperance.
A popular spot for swimming and surfing, Wharton Beach is the largest beach in the Duke of Orleans Bay area, and like Lucky Bay, you can drive directly onto the beach with a 4WD.
Twilight Bay
Twilight Bay is one of the more accessible beaches, just a 10-minute drive from town along Great Ocean Drive. It’s known for its large rock formation just offshore, which you can swim out to at high tide.
We visited early in the morning to avoid the crowds, and the golden light combined with the ocean mist looked like a scene that belonged on a postcard.
Blue Haven Beach
Blue Haven Beach is another stop along Great Ocean Drive, surrounded by a more rugged coastline which acts as a shelter from the wind. The water is usually a bit calmer here, making it a great spot to swim.
We didn’t spend long here due to the weather, but even on a grey day the water colour still stood out.
Save this post for later if you’re planning a trip to Esperance.
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