15 BEST Things To Do In Esperance (After 4 Trips) + FREE Map
Esperance has some of the BEST beaches in Australia. We’ve been there 4 times over 5+ years road-tripping the country, and we still can’t get enough of it!
But it’s not a place you can just show up and wing it. It’s very remote, and the weather makes a huuuge difference (talking from experience).
So, these are the 15 things to do in Esperance we’d prioritise if we were visiting for the first or second time, based on what we’ve found genuinely worth it over multiple trips.
We’ll also share the coffee spots, restaurants, and campsites we’ve loved, so you can plan your visit with confidence!
Splashing at Wharton Beach A local resident in Lucky Bay, Esperance!
We recognise the traditional owners of this land, the Kepa Kurl Wudjari and the Ngadju peoples.
15 things to do in Esperance
Just so you know, we recommend spending 5-6 days here. Any less than that and it’s hard to justify coming all this way, especially if the weather turns!
Also, distances are bigger than they look, and it’s easy to cram in too much. So we’d recommend focusing on these spots:
1) Twilight Beach
This is one of the best beaches in Esperance and it’s SO easy to access, which is why it’s first on the list!
It’s epic for swimming and snorkelling. It’s also the only patrolled beach in Esperance, so it’s a good option for families too.
Plus, there’s a huge boulder just offshore, we always swim out and jump off it, definitely try it if you’re a confident swimmer! One time we did it, hundreds of dolphins swam up to us!
Twilight Beach is one of the many stops in the Great Ocean Drive, which is this epic scenic drive really close to town. It’s all sealed roads (no 4WD needed) and it’s free to visit!
It’s free to visit and very easy to include in any Esperance trip. Just know the western end isn’t dog-friendly.
Shark alarms do happen here sometimes. We once got stuck on the rock for about an hour because of one LOL, turned out to be a test alarm, but just so you know.
2) Wharton Beach
This is our favourite beach in ALL of Australia! It a bit remote but 100% worth visiting for the mix of surf, beach driving, and how untouched it feels.
Warthon B
The surf is great for beginners, plus one of the best caravan parks in Esperance is there – Duke of Orleans. Stay a couple of days there if you can, you won’t regret it.
Wharton is about a 1-hour drive east of Esperance. It’s mostly sealed roads so you’ll be good with if you’re on a 2WD!
It’s free to visit and dog-friendly! There’s also another stunning beach nearby, Victoria Harbour. You can walk there from Wharton or drive if you’re on a 4WD.
3) Lucky Bay
This is the famous beach in Cape Le Grand National Park with kangaroos on the sand.
Most people come here for the kangaroos, but to be honest they’ve been a bit hit and miss the last couple of times we went. Go early morning or late arvo for the best chance to see them.
The beach itself is good but we do think it’s a bit overhyped compared to the previous ones. There’s been lots of seaweed each time we’ve visited.
There’s a great campground worth staying at if you’re lucky enough to find a site, though! They book out months in advance but we think it’s worth staying at least 1 night, the area is gorgeous.
Lucky Bay is ~45 minutes from town, inside Cape Le Grand National Park. There’s easy 2WD access all the way but you’ll have to pay the NP entry fee.
Remember that these kangaroos are wild animals, observe them from a safe distance and please DON’T feed them. They have been dealing with complex illnesses due to tourists feeding them.
4) Blue Haven Beach
This is one of our favourite beaches on the Great Ocean Drive. It’s a sheltered little cove with calm water, so it’s a really good backup on windy days.
It’s best for a relaxing day at the beach and there’s good snorkelling, too. It’s also a great pick for families, and it’s dog-friendly!
As it’s on the Great Ocean Drive, it’s very close to town with 2WD all the way. There’s a short walk down a steep staircase to the beach, though.
5) Great Ocean Drive
This is a beautiful coastal drive near town, with 20+ stops. It includes places like Twilight Beach, Blue Haven, and a bunch of lookouts!
We recommend doing this on day 1 or 2 of your visit so you get a proper feel for the area in one go.
The full loop is about 40 km (all sealed roads) and takes under an hour to drive. But realistically, you’ll want at least half a day to enjoy it properly.
It’s completely free and very easy to include in any Esperance trip! Just try to pick a good weather day for this, it makes a massive difference to how good the colours and beaches look.
6) Hellfire Bay
This is one of the best beaches inside Cape Le Grand National Park and we reckon it’s nicer than Lucky Bay. It’s got that same white sand and clear water, just without the hype.
It’s perfect for swimming, relaxing, and hanging out by the beach, with picnic areas and shade right near the car park. You can easily spend 1–2 hours here or longer if you’re doing a full day in the park.
There’s also Little Hellfire Bay, a stunning spot, pretty secluded but worth the short walk!
It’s about 1-hour drive from Esperance inside the national park (so entry fees apply) but has easy 2WD access all the way.
7) Frenchman’s Peak
This was one of our favourite hikes in Esperance! It’s a steep climb to the top, but the 360° views are worth every step.
The hike is about 3 km return and takes around 2–3 hours, with a proper scramble over rock near the top. It’s best for people comfortable with a bit of climbing, not just a casual walk.
The trail starts easy but quickly turns steep and fully exposed, so it can get tiring fast due to the heat. Bring lots of water! Here’s the full route.
It’s inside Cape Le Grand National Park (so entry fee applies), about 1-hour from Esperance, with 2WD access to the car park.
Do this early in the morning to avoid the heat. But don’t do it after rain or if it’s windy, the rock gets slippery and there’s zero shade.
8) Esperance Museum Village
This is a small collection of historic buildings in town that’s been turned into shops, markets, and the visitor centre. It’s a nice easy stop while you’re already in town.
There are fun little boutique shops if you’re after some trinkets. There are local markets too, and the museum is there if you’re keen.
You probably only need 30-60 minutes unless you’re really into browsing. It’s all free except the museum, which has a small entry fee and from memory it’s cash only.
9) Thistle Cove
This spot in Cape Le Grand NP has epic swimming, snorkelling, and amazing coastal views from the “whistling rock.”
You can walk over to the rock from the car park, and hear it whistle when the wind hits it right! Plus there’s space for swimming, fishing, or just hanging out by the water.
It has easy 2WD access. You’ll need to pay the national park entry fee, and it’s very easy to combine with Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay!
10) Go surfing at one of these beaches
Esperance has some seriously good surf! If you’re into it, this is one of the best parts of the trip.
Plus most of the best surfing spots are along the Great Ocean Drive near town, so it’s completely free and 2WD-friendly!
- Twilight Beach – Excellent spot for beginners.
- West Beach – Solid all-round surf spot with multiple reef breaks, good mix of conditions depending on the day.
- Fifth Beach (Picnic Cove) – Consistent waves and one of the more reliable surf spots if you’re after something more challenging.
- Fourth Beach – Best for experienced surfers, not really a must unless you’re confident in the water.
- Wharton Beach – The only one not in the Great Ocean Drive, but it’s excellent for beginners.
Conditions change a lot depending on wind and swell, so you’ll want to stay flexible!
A note about sharks
We’re always aware of sharks here, but at the end of the day, the ocean is their home, not ours. Here are some things we do to keep ourselves safe:
- Never surf at dawn or dusk
- Check SharkSmart for live updates
- Be extra careful during salmon season (March to May according to locals)
- Never surf at Wylie Bay, the Kelps Bed Beach is nearby which is a known spot for shark activity
- if you’re unsure, don’t surf
11) Go 4WDing at one of these beaches
If you’ve got a 4WD, you’re in luck! This is one of the BEST ways to experience Esperance. It opens up quieter beaches, longer stretches of coastline, and a few spots you just can’t reach otherwise.
These are some of our favourite spots for 4WDing in Esperance:
- Wharton Beach – Excellent beach driving! Plus easy access from the caravan park.
- Cape Le Grand Beach – We loved beach driving here. The firm sand makes it really easy, plus it’s a long stretch of sand and the beach is epic!
- Victoria Harbour Beach – Super secluded and beautiful, easiest access is via Wharton Beach.
- Wylie Bay – Excellent beach driving, and there’s a tide-dependent natural pool (like the one near Yallingup).
Tide timing matters more than anything, low tide is your safest window. If you’re not confident with beach driving, don’t wing it, recovery out here isn’t quick or easy.
12) Whale Watching
Whales migrate through Esperance between June and October, and there are sooo many spots to see them from.
You can spot them from the coastal lookouts along the Great Ocean Drive, or the Rotary Lookout if you’re staying in town and don’t feel like driving.
13) Woody Island
This is one of the very few things we haven’t done in Esperance yet. But people absolutely rave about it, we’re told the snorkelling is incredible and there’s lots of wildlife around!.
Most people do it as a day trip, but it does sound like the kind of place that’d be better if you stayed a night. The island has camping/glamping, food, and drinks.
Woody Island Eco Tours is the only operator with access to the island, though. They handle everything including boat rides, stays, full day tours, etc.
14) Pink Lakes
There are a couple of pink lakes around Esperance.
The first one is along the Great Ocean Drive and, well, it’s not pink anymore. It’s worth a quick stop to stretch your legs.
The second one is the iconic Lake Hillier, and the only way to see it is with a scenic flight. Looks like an epic tour, though!
But honestly, if you want something closer to Perth, go to Hutt Lagoon instead.
15) Stonehenge (Replica)
This is a full-scale replica of Stonehenge set on a farm near Esperance. It’s worth it if you’re curious or into random roadside attractions.
It’s actually aligned with the real one, though. If you go there during the winter or summer solstice, you’ll see the sun going through the rocks!
There’s an entry fee to go inside, so it’s only really worth it if it actually interests you.
How to get to Esperance?
Esperance is a bit remote, so the quickest way to get to Esperance is by plane.
REX will get you there in 2 hours. A round-trip can cost between $300-600 (AUD) depending on the season.
You’ll have to rent a car, though. We recommend Discover Cars, they even offer 4WDs!
But for us, the best way to get to Esperance is with a road trip from Perth.
It usually take us ~8-9 hours to drive from Perth to Esperance, stopping overnight at Wave Rock. We 100% recommend returning to Perth via Margaret River, though!
Here’s the itinerary we recommend if you’re road tripping from Perth to Esperance.
Where to stay in Esperance?
Where you base yourself in Esperance actually matters more than you’d think! Everything is pretty spread out and the town itself isn’t really the highlight.
We usually try to mix it up and stay a couple of nights in Duke of Orleans or in Cape Le Grand NP (if there’s availability) plus a few in town. That’s how you get the best of it without too much driving!
These are the spots we recommend:
- Duke of Orleans Caravan Park. Our favourite stay in Esperance! A bit remote but super chilled vibes, perfect if you’re spending time at Wharton Beach and Victoria Harbour.
- Esperance Bay Holiday Park. Best central option in town, easy access to everything but nothing fancy.
- RAC Esperance Holiday Park. Big and well set up, plus great location, but can feel a bit packed in peak season
- Lucky Bay Campground. Absolute bucket list stay, camping right on the beach with kangaroos, but you’ll need to book at least 3-4 months ahead.
- Le Grand Beach Campground. Great backup if Lucky Bay is full, still inside the national park and close to everything
- Pink Lake Tourist Park. Cheaper option just outside town, solid if you’re on a budget.
Where to eat?
Esperance has a few really good spots, but don’t expect a crazy food scene. That said, there are a few we keep going back to every time we visit:
- Downtown Espresso Bar. BEST coffee in town in our opinion, plus good toasties and bagels to start the day right.
- Lucky Bay Brewing. 100% recommend this one, great beers, woodfire pizzas, and just a really good atmosphere in the arvo.
- Cloud Eleven. Our go-to brunch spot, really good food (Japanese-inspired) and great coffee.
- Coffee Cat. Another solid coffee option, good vibes and a nice place to chill for a bit.
- The Quarters. Bit more fancy, we went here for a special dinner and loved it.
- Esperance French Hot Bread Shop. Classic bakery stop, good for an early coffee, pies, and something quick before heading out.
Best time to visit Esperance
We personally LOVE going in autumn, March-April is the sweet spot in our opinion. Spring is a solid second.
The weather is excellent in both seasons, not as windy as summer, and you avoid the chaos (and overpricing) of peak season.
Most people go in summer, which makes sense for the heat and beach days. But prices jump and it’s also very windy, so we’re not huge fans.
Winter is quieter and cheaper, plus it’s a great time for whale watching. But the weather is very hit or miss. If you get lucky with a clear day, it would be epic for hiking but the water will be freezing LOL.
However, locals mentioned salmon season is from March to May.
This is epic for fishing, but apparenty it also means an increase in shark activity. So be careful especially if you’re surfing during that time, this is what we do to stay safe.
How long to stay in Esperance
We recommend allowing for 5–6 days, mostly due to the weather.
Esperance really shines on sunny days, so having wiggle room gives you a much better chance of truly enjoying this place, instead of getting stuck with wind and grey skies.
The bare minimum is 3 days, though. If you do this, we recommend staying in town and focusing on the Great Ocean Drive and 1 full day for the National Park.
Tours in Esperance
There aren’t heaps of tours around to be honest, Esperance is more of a DIY kind of destination. The main exceptions are trips to Woody Island and scenic flights over Lake Hillier.
That said, we recommend doing a cultural tour if you want to get more out of your trip! It’s the best way to see Esperance from the eyes of the Traditional Owners.
FREE Map with things to do in Esperance
Top Tips
If you plan on staying in any of the campgrounds, go prepared as some of them are very remote.
Fuel up, get some groceries, and download maps on your device to check offline, as reception can be unreliable (our WA guide has offline access).
Be mindful of the local wildlife and always adhere to park regulations. It’s on us to protect the delicate ecosystems that make Esperance such a unique and beautiful destination!
Did you know?
The local Noongar people inhabited the Esperance region for over 20,000 years prior to European settlement.
The region’s abundant resources allowed them to flourish, rarely venturing far from the area due to its plentiful food sources.
FAQs
How long is the road trip from Perth to Esperance?
The road trip from Perth to Esperance is about 8 hours long inland (~700km). But it can take 10+days if you drive via Margaret River.
Ready for an epic trip to Esperance? Grab this first!
Esperance is remote, and it’s wayyy easier to plan when you can see everything laid out properly.
That’s exactly why we built our Western Australia Guide. It makes travelling around WA stupid easy:
- 18+ done-for-you itineraries (including Perth to Esperance and beyond)
- 400+ places pinned across the state
- Filters like “dog-friendly”, “snorkelling”, and more!
Plus, you can download it on your phone for offline access. That’s a lifesaver once you’re out in Cape Range NP and reception disappears!
Check out our Western Australia Guide here!
Our Essential Travel Toolkit
🤩 Wise Card – Online bank to hold money in different currencies worldwide and lowest fees in the market! (FREE debit card here)
🤩 Trip.com – Consistently great accommodation and hotel deals.
🤩 Hostelworld – Looking for the cheapest accommodation? We especially love the “book now, pay later” feature.
🤩 Discovercars.com – Best range, super easy to compare prices rental car and motorhome prices.
🤩 Viator.com – Easily book tours and experiences at the lowest rate. Great selection all over Australia.
🤩 Tripadvisor.com – Other than our website…😉 the best place to find things to do
🤩 Airalo – eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travelers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
🤩 Caravan RV Camping – Traveling Australia in a van, caravan or bus? This is the best place to get all your gear.
