Esperance / Kepa Kurl – your portal to an iconic Australian holiday.
Kepa (water) Kurl (boomerang) is the Aboriginal name for the town of Esperance meaning, "where the water lies like a boomerang". It's a beachside beauty spot, where coastal parks await discovery and relaxation is the order of the day.
Prepare for an outdoor adventure surrounded by stunning seascapes. A one-and-a-half-hour flight or an eight-hour drive south from Perth, Esperance instantly dazzles visitors with its pristine sandy stretches and turquoise waters.
Head to Lucky Bay and sink into what is officially Australia’s whitest sand with a bunch of friendly kangaroos for company. Regularly spotted sunning themselves on the squeaky-clean shore, the kangaroos are just some of the wildlife who call sprawling Cape Le Grand National Park home.
Tackle all or a section of the park’s 20-kilometre hiking trail, and spot hermit crabs, starfish, seals and dolphins along the coast. Enjoy an unforgettable sunrise or sunset experience as you view the Recherche Archipelago’s 110 sun-kissed islands from the summit of Frenchman’s Peak. Across the water, Hellfire Bay’s high dunes make for an idyllic picnic spot.
There are more waterside wonders to be uncovered along the stretch of shoreline just south of Esperance. Admire Twilight Beach’s iconic ‘rock with a hole’ and follow a winding staircase to discover the sheltered swimming spot of Blue Haven Beach. Meanwhile, surfers can tackle the reef breaks at West Beach, Fourth Beach or Observatory Beach, and fishing enthusiasts should cast a line at Bandy Creek Harbour.
Further afield, hundreds of native plant species flourish in Fitzgerald River National Park, where the rugged terrain is best explored in a four-wheel drive. Tour more awe-inspiring natural landscapes with a scenic flight over the bubblegum pink waters of Lake Hillier, or join a whale-watching tour between June and October to see these gentle giants make their annual migration. Finally, catch a ferry to Woody Island and spend the night in idyllic isolation in a safari hut, with the sound of the waves lulling you to sleep.
With over 60 establishments, including quality motels, hotels, caravan and holiday parks, chalets, apartments, farm stays and bed and breakfasts, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from. Search for Esperance accommodation or for detailed information about disabled and dog-friendly accommodation, contact the Esperance Visitor Centre.
To find out more about Esperance accommodation and attractions, including Cape Le Grand National Park, check out www.visitesperance.com.au or www.experienceesperance.com.au.
The annual Holiday Planner e-magazine is packed full of information to help you plan your trip and get the most out of your Esperance adventure. Find detailed information on iconic attractions and experiences, travelling times and distances, inspiration pieces, accommodation and local businesses all across the region.
Esperance is just over 700km from Perth and the drive to get there is one EPIC road trip! You can take in the sights of the Wheatbelt along the way, stopping to surf a wave or catch some super-sized art on the Public Silo Trail. Here’s our perfect 5-day itinerary from Perth.