13 Things to Do for Esperance and the Surrounding Area

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There are many beautiful places along the coast of Western Australia, but Esperance definitely stands out. The surrounding region is known for its snow-white beaches, turquoise water, wild coastal roads, and the famous Cape Le Grand National Park. Our Esperance things to do include plenty of places you shouldn’t miss, and despite all these highlights, Esperance still feels pleasantly peaceful and uncrowded. That’s exactly what makes this place so special, especially if you love nature, road trips, and extraordinary landscapes.

Esperance Things to Do: Our Highlights for Beaches, Nature, and Sights

In this article, we’ll show you our favorite Esperance things to do. In addition to well-known highlights such as the Great Ocean Drive, Lucky Bay, where you might be lucky enough to spot kangaroos, or the pink Lake Hillier, there are also smaller stops such as Rotary Lookout, Skeleton Swamp, and Lucky Bay Brewing.

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. Great Ocean Drive

Number one on our list of Esperance things to do that you shouldn’t miss is the Great Ocean Drive. We arrived in Esperance along this route, so even getting there was already a highlight. The approximately 40-kilometer scenic loop follows the coastline and connects some of the most beautiful beaches, viewpoints, and rocky stretches around Esperance.

It’s difficult to list exactly where you should stop because places such as Twilight Beach, Blue Haven Beach, West Beach, and the various lookouts along the route are all worth visiting. The water here often glows in almost unreal shades of blue, while the sand is bright and fine. The best way to discover everything is to check out our detailed Great Ocean Drive guide.

Info: Free parking is available at every beach and viewpoint here, which is very convenient. If you visit during the right season, you may even be able to spot whales here (see point 13).

2. The New Tanker Jetty

One of the well-known sights right in Esperance is the new Tanker Jetty, which could also be described as a pier. The 415-meter-long structure was designed to resemble the historic jetty and is perfect for a walk or enjoying the sunset. Locals also like to come here for fishing. It wasn’t particularly busy during our visit, but whether you want to watch some marine life or simply enjoy the fresh breeze after a day of sightseeing. It’s a great place to do so.

3. Whale Tail Statue

Along Esperance’s waterfront promenade, you’ll also find this popular photo spot, the Whale Tail Statue. It stands by the water and perfectly suits a place where the ocean, coastline, and marine life play such an important role. A visit is especially beautiful in the morning or evening. Depending on which direction you’re looking, you can see the light shining through the colorful glass elements. If you’re already walking along the waterfront, this quick stop is definitely worthwhile.

The area around the Whale Tail Statue is also great for walking. Its location along the Foreshore makes it an easy stop, for example before or after visiting the Tanker Jetty (see point 2), the harbor, or a cafe in town.

4. Esperance Museum

If you’d like a change from the ocean and beaches, the Esperance Museum is a good alternative. There’s plenty to see about the region’s history, the lives of early settlers, the railroad, and old machinery. However, the highlight for most visitors is the Skylab exhibition. In 1979, parts of a NASA space station crashed near Esperance, so you can see genuine pieces of debris there. It’s open Tuesday through Friday as well as the first Saturday of the month from 10.00 AM to 2.00 PM. Admission costs between 5 and 25 AUD depending on age.

5. Rotary Lookout

Slightly elevated on a hill, roughly between the town and the Great Ocean Drive, you’ll find Rotary Lookout. The small observation tower offers beautiful views of the islands off the coast of the Recherche Archipelago as well as the town and harbor. It’s also a lovely place to visit at sunset, when the sky is filled with colorful light.

The viewpoint is also a good stop on your way to or from the Great Ocean Drive. Plus, visiting is completely free. There are a few short walking trails around Rotary Lookout. So if you don’t just want to get out of the car briefly and take some photos, you can walk a little farther and enjoy different perspectives of the coastline.

6. Pink Lake

The name Pink Lake sounds promising at first, and many people have already seen photos of pink lakes in Australia. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case here. Pink Lake near Esperance is no longer pink today and instead appears gray, whitish, or simply like a normal salt lake. It really was pink in the past, but changing conditions caused it to lose its color.

That doesn’t mean the place is completely uninteresting. Pink Lake can still be an interesting quick stop along the Great Ocean Drive. Just don’t expect the pink highlight that most people imagine. For that, you should take a closer look at point 12 about Lake Hillier.

7. Skeleton Swamp and Kepwari Walk

While much of life here revolves around the ocean, there are other places you can visit as well. After all, Australia also has wetlands, bushland, and plenty of other natural landscapes to offer. If you’d like to see something different, check out the Kepwari Walk. The interpretive walking trail is 3.6 kilometers long and can be completed as an approximately 7-kilometer out-and-back hike. Here, you can walk through reed beds and heathland, beneath banksias, and across dune ridges while exploring a completely different ecosystem.

The area around Skeleton Swamp is especially impressive, with white, dead tree trunks rising out of the unusual landscape. The scenery almost feels a little eerie. Between the water, reeds, pale tree trunks, and sky, you’ll experience completely different landscapes here compared with Esperance’s beaches. If you want to learn more about the trail or swamp, keep an eye out for the information boards along the way. It’s definitely one of the more unusual Esperance things to do.

8. Lucky Bay Brewing

If you’re looking for a change from all the beaches and nature, visit Lucky Bay Brewing. The local brewery is located a little outside the town center and is known for delicious regional craft beer. Its beers are particularly influenced by locally grown grains. Depending on which day you visit, there may even be live music, events, movie nights, or you can simply relax with a cold drink in the beer garden.

Even if you don’t drink beer, a visit can still be worthwhile because Lucky Bay Brewing also offers delicious food and other drinks. Brewery tours are available on-site as well. Opening hours change depending on the season, so it’s best to check the official website beforehand.

9. Esperance Stonehenge

Who would have thought it? There’s a replica of the famous Stonehenge right in the middle of Western Australia. And it’s not just a small version, the Esperance Stonehenge is full size. The stones are made from local granite and are arranged to represent what Stonehenge may originally have looked like. If you’re interested in something like this, a visit can be worthwhile because the contrast between the wild coastal region and this replica of a monument is somehow a little crazy.

Esperance Stonehenge is located a little outside town and can easily be combined with a trip toward Cape Le Grand National Park (see the next point). It’s perfectly located along the way. It’s one of the more unusual Esperance things to do and can be worthwhile, although we don’t think it’s an absolute must. In winter, it’s open daily from 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM and in summer from 9.00 AM to 3.00 PM. Admission costs 15 AUD for adults and 6 AUD for children ages 6 to 16.

10. Cape Le Grand National Park

When you hear about Esperance things to do, Cape Le Grand National Park will probably be mentioned as number one. For many people, it’s the main reason to travel to Esperance in the first place. Here, you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in Western Australia, including Lucky Bay, Hellfire Bay, and Thistle Cove. The incredibly bright sand, turquoise water, and scenery are almost impossible to describe in words – simply beautiful.

Lucky Bay is especially well known and popular. If you’re on the beach at the right time, you may get to see kangaroos. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky during our visit. Still, the scenery is truly impressive. In addition to the beaches, hiking up Frenchman Peak is also worthwhile. The climb is fairly steep and shouldn’t be underestimated in wet conditions or strong winds, when it’s better not to attempt it. If you make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views across the national park, coastline, and surrounding islands. You can read more about our visit in our Cape Le Grand National Park article.

11. Wharton Beach

Wharton Beach is located in Duke of Orleans Bay, about an hour east of Esperance. While visually it’s every bit as beautiful as many other beaches in the region, it’s much less well known than places such as Lucky Bay. Along with white sand and turquoise water, what you’ll find here above all is peace and quiet.

Wharton Beach is especially popular with locals in 4WD vehicles, who enjoy driving along the beach when conditions are good, as well as with surfers. Depending on the weather, you can swim, walk, surf, or simply enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. The trip is definitely worthwhile, and among travelers it’s probably still one of the more hidden Esperance things to do.

12. Lake Hillier

One of the most extraordinary places in the wider Esperance area is Lake Hillier. The lake is located on Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago, about 130 kilometers east of Esperance by sea, and is known for its pink color. A true pink lake, at least when conditions are right. Unfortunately, it isn’t always this pink and can look different depending on the weather and salinity.

If you want to see Lake Hillier, a scenic flight is highly recommended because it makes the contrast much more striking. There’s the white sand, turquoise ocean, and green dunes before the pink lake finally comes into view. It’s truly impressive. These scenic flights usually also take you over parts of Cape Le Grand National Park. The flight really is an experience you’ll never forget, which is why it’s one of our favorite Esperance things to do.

13. Whale Watching

If you’d like the chance to see whales, keep your eyes open around Esperance between June and October. Southern right whales in particular, as well as occasional humpback whales, travel along the coastline during this period. Sometimes, you can even see them from land.

You’ll find good spots with beautiful views along the Great Ocean Drive, for example at West Beach or Observatory Point. Other lookouts are also suitable. It’s best to take some time and watch for blows, dark backs, or tail flukes breaking the surface. You’ll need a little luck as well, since whales don’t appear on command. But that’s exactly what makes a sighting so special. If you’re in Esperance during the right season, it’s definitely worth regularly scanning the ocean whenever you stop along the coast.

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

Have you already visited some of our Esperance things to do, or are they on your list? We look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments.