Esperance - A Trip to Cape Le Grand National Park

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Cape Le Grand National Park is located about 50 kilometers east of Esperance and the Great Ocean Drive. It’s a fantastic day trip destination and one of the most impressive natural paradises in Western Australia. On-site, you’ll find powdery white beaches, turquoise waters, and spectacular granite cliffs. Whether as a day trip or even overnight in a campervan, the visit is a must-do among our Esperance tips.

Our Tips for a Trip to Cape Le Grand National Park

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you must see in Cape Le Grand National Park. Whether you’re into hiking, swimming, or simply enjoying the breathtaking landscape, a visit is an unforgettable experience. Make sure to plan enough time. If you’re doing a day trip, it’s best to leave early in the morning if you also would like to explore some of the hiking trails. We can only recommend the visit, we really enjoyed it.

Accommodation in Esperance – Our Hotel Tip

The Jetty Resort is located practically directly opposite the beach and the promenade of Esperance. An excellent location in the center of the small town. The resort has several room categories, from simple rooms to apartments, some with a kitchen and whirlpool bathtub, to affordable options in the older brick building. However, all are equipped with air conditioning, TV, and free Wi-Fi.

Other amenities include a swimming pool, a children’s playground, and free parking directly at the accommodation. Nearby, you will find many restaurants, bars, or shopping opportunities for self-catering. A good choice in Esperance for couples, families, or solo travelers.

If you are looking for more accommodations in Esperance or holiday parks where you can, for example, stay with a camper, then check out this overview. The Esperance Bay Holiday Park is very popular for that.

1. How to Get to Cape Le Grand National Park from Esperance

As mentioned in the introduction, Cape Le Grand National Park is located about 50 kilometers east of Esperance. You can easily reach it by car in about 45 minutes. The route partly leads through bush landscapes and along the coast, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful nature. With a bit of luck, you might even spot some kangaroos.

The easiest way is via National Route 1. First, take Fisheries Road from the center of Esperance and follow it until you reach the turnoff for Merivale Road. This is National Route 1. Continue on this road until just before the village of Merivale, then turn right. After another 15 kilometers or so, you’ll arrive at the entrance to Cape Le Grand National Park, where you’ll need to pay an entrance fee (see next section).

Info: For the adventurous, there’s also an off-road route via Wylie Bay Beach, but this is only suitable for 4WD vehicles. This route leads along the sandy beach and offers spectacular coastal views. However, be sure to check the tides and road conditions in advance, as the route can be difficult to pass depending on the weather.

2. Entrance to Cape Le Grand National Park

To visit Cape Le Grand National Park, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee at the start. There’s a small booth, and the best way to pay is by credit card. Paying with cash is also possible, but you’ll need the exact amount, which you must place in an envelope. Instructions on how to do this are posted at the entrance. There are no staff members present.

The entrance fee varies depending on how you arrive. A car with up to 12 passengers costs 17 AUD, a bus requires 8 AUD per person, and a motorcycle costs 10 AUD. If you plan to stay overnight in a campervan, additional fees apply: 20 AUD per person. Children ages 5 to 16 cost 5 AUD, and children under 5 are free.

Info: If you plan to visit several national parks in Western Australia, purchasing a park pass might be worthwhile. Such a pass allows you to cover the entrance fees for multiple parks and save money in the process. For more information on the available park passes and their prices, visit the official website of the Parks and Wildlife Service.

3. Frenchman Peak

After paying the entrance fee, you’ll head toward Lucky Bay. Along the way, you’ll spot Frenchman Peak in the distance. The granite mountain rises to a height of 262 meters and is truly impressive. It’s beautiful not only from the road but also from the summit, where you’ll enjoy a 360-degree view over Cape Le Grand National Park.

There’s a parking area nearby where the hike up the peak begins. A steep trail leads you up. While the route is only about 2 kilometers long, it can be quite strenuous. You’ll definitely need proper footwear, enough water, sun protection, and a bit of stamina. The best time to hike or climb is in the morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t as intense.

Just before reaching the summit, there’s a huge cave that also offers a stunning view. If you’re lucky and the weather is clear on the day of your hike, you might even see Hellfire Bay and Lucky Bay (see next sections) in the distance. If you’re looking for an adventure, don’t miss the climb up Frenchman Peak.

4. Lucky Bay

For many, the highlight of Cape Le Grand National Park is Lucky Bay, and it was the highlight of our visit too. It was actually the only place we had read about beforehand and the main reason for our trip. Lucky Bay is said to offer bright white sand, turquoise waters, and, with a bit of luck, kangaroos right on the beach. The first two were absolutely true, but we weren’t lucky with the kangaroos. Apparently, we visited at the wrong time of day, because we later saw signs saying that kangaroos usually come out at dawn and dusk, in the morning and evening.

During our visit, it was a bit windier and choppier than we had hoped, but Lucky Bay was still beautiful. If the weather is a bit calmer, the shallow waters are great for swimming or activities like stand-up paddleboarding. A walk along the beach is always a good idea and highly recommended to soak in the peaceful atmosphere of the bay.

In addition to its stunning natural scenery, Lucky Bay also offers a great campground right on the beach. Some people even drive directly onto the sand and sleep there. There are other amenities like restrooms, picnic areas with a public, clean barbecue, and during high season, there’s even a coffee bar open on-site. By the way, kangaroos often come down to the beach near the picnic area. So in our opinion, a stop at Lucky Bay is definitely a must on any visit to Cape Le Grand National Park from Esperance, and you shouldn’t miss it.

5. Thistle Cove

One of the most beautiful and quietest bays in Cape Le Grand National Park is Thistle Cove, as it is the least visited. Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay (see next section) are better known. Located just a few kilometers from Lucky Bay, it also offers a stunning setting with white sandy beaches, turquoise water, and large granite boulders.

If you’re looking for peace and quiet in the national park, this is definitely the place for you. Thistle Cove also features a special highlight, the famous Whistling Rock. This is a large rock with a wind tunnel. When the wind blows from a certain direction, a whistling sound is created. That’s how the rock got its name.

The water at Thistle Cove is usually very calm and therefore ideal for swimming, as the bay is well protected. There is a parking area, but no other facilities. You are fully exposed to the sun in the bay, so don’t forget to bring sun protection.

6. Hellfire Bay

We have to admit, we didn’t expect much from Hellfire Bay after visiting the previous bays, but we were pleasantly surprised. For us personally, it was the most beautiful bay in Cape Le Grand National Park. It’s not exactly a hidden gem, as you’ll find other visitors here too, but during our visit it was far from crowded.

A short staircase leads from the parking area down to the beach. On the left side, you’ll find plenty of rocks you can easily climb for a great souvenir photo. The dreamy white sand and turquoise water make the bay feel like paradise, we just thought it could use a few palm trees. Nonetheless, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve seen in Western Australia.

A walk along the beach is definitely worthwhile. If it’s not too windy and the sea is calm, Hellfire Bay is also great for swimming. There’s a picnic area by the parking lot and clean public restrooms. From here, you can also hike along the coast, linking several bays and enjoying even more of the national park’s natural beauty.

7. Cape Le Grand Beach

The last stop on our day trip to Cape Le Grand National Park from Esperance was Cape Le Grand Beach. To be honest, compared to the previous beaches, it was a bit disappointing. The beach wasn’t particularly beautiful, although it seemed to be popular with surfers. We saw a few out on the water.

In addition, Cape Le Grand Beach is popular among 4WD drivers, as you can drive along the beach all the way to Wylie Bay Beach. However, never attempt this with a vehicle that isn’t off-road capable, you’ll get stuck in the sand. A highlight for us was the rock formation at the southern end, which you can reach via a simple trail directly from the parking area. From the top, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the surroundings.

Conclusion about Esperance Cape Le Grand National Park

The trip to Cape Le Grand National Park is absolutely worth it, and the entrance fee is well justified. For Australia, it’s even very affordable. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to spot any kangaroos at Lucky Bay, but it was still one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve seen in Western Australia.

We were also surprised by Hellfire Bay, which we found even a little better than the famous Lucky Bay. Both beaches were fairly empty during our visit. That might be different in other seasons, but in September (basically spring), it was wonderfully quiet, and the nature was absolutely stunning.

Esperance: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Esperance in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Esperance.

How to Get to Esperance

There are several ways you can approach getting to Esperance. The fastest but also the most expensive option is by plane. About 20 kilometers outside lies the small Esperance airport, which is served daily by REX Airlines (Regional Express) from Perth. The flight takes about 90 minutes but is quite expensive at around 200-300 AUD. You can find exact prices and times at Skyscanner.

Another option would be the bus from Perth. TransWA offers a daily bus service from East Perth to Esperance. The bus departs at 8:00 am and arrives in Esperance around 6:00 PM. So it takes a good 10 hours because there are many stops along the way. You can also find another bus service from Kalgoorlie to Esperance.

The last option would be to travel on your own with a car or camper. We arrived with a rental car from Perth and made stops along the way for a few nights in Busselton and Albany. Otherwise, according to Google Maps, the pure driving time would be 7 hours and 30 minutes. But with a road trip, you can stretch this and discover many other things in Western Australia.

Have you ever visited Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance? Is it on your list, or what has been your experience there? Feel free to leave us a comment.

Photos: Photo 8 (Thistle Cove): Darkydoors/shutterstock.com