Road to Esperance

It’s time to pack up the car, grab your snacks and don’t forget your reusable coffee cup – we’re off on an epic adventure through road trip country! Our first stop is going to be the famous Wave Rock in Hyden. Set off from Perth and grab a coffee from your favourite café en-route. Settle in for some beautiful country scenery as you enter the gorgeous Wheatbelt.

Wave Rock is about a 4-hour drive from Perth, so you can either go straight there and have more time to explore, or you can take your time and make a couple of pit stops!

If you’re up for a seriously entertaining detour, don’t miss Tin Horse Highway on your way to the world-famous Wave Rock. These cheeky tin horses were made by community members out of bits and pieces found lying around farms. It truly captures the humorous side of the Wheatbelt Lifestyle.

Once you arrive in Hyden, grab some lunch before heading to Wave Rock. Marvel at the amazing wave-like rock and get the famous “surfing” selfie. You can walk to the top of the Wave giving you great views of the surrounding countryside. A short walk from Wave Rock is Hippos Yawn, another cool rock formation to explore.

​Hop back in the car and head over to Mulka’s Cave, an aboriginal site dating back to 400 years ago with lots of rock art on the walls. If you’re up for a challenge (and are visiting in cooler months) try the Kalari Trail that takes you to the summit of the Humps for some spectacular views and interesting rock formations.

Lake Magic is another picturesque spot and if you’re visiting in Spring, it will be bursting to life with wildflowers. There is plenty of accommodation to choose from near Wave Rock, as well as some free camping spots you can take advantage of in the area.

Ravensthorpe

Time to pack up and hit the road! You’ve got a few kms to cover today, so we’d recommend hitting the road nice and early.

As you pull into Ravensthorpe, stop and admire the giant art mural, which makes up part of the PUBLIC Silo Trail. Don’t forget to swing by the Yummylicious Candy Shack and get some lollies for the drive, it’s home to the World’s Largest Lollypop!

You can either grab lunch here in Ravensthorpe to bring with you or pick something up when you hit Hopetoun. Stop by and have a refreshing dip in some of the most secluded, pristine beaches. We recommend swimming in the tranquil waters of Munglinup Beach, or Mason Bay. For the surfers, hit the waves at Starvation Bay, or Powell Point.

We’re now going on a short journey (30 mins) to the gorgeous Fitzgerald River National Park. Here you can go bushwalking, camping, canoeing, fishing and whale watching. If you’re looking for more time to explore, set up camp at Four Mile Camp. After enjoying your picnic and the amazing views in the National Park, it’s time to head off to your final destination, Esperance.

Fitzgerald River National Park to Esperance (200km)

There are heaps of places to stay in Esperance, so you’re sure to find something that suits you. From seafront hotels and boutique campsites to caravan parks and camping spots in the National Park, you’re spoilt for choice!

If you've arrived into Esperance in the late afternoon, we’d suggest staying local and checking out the gorgeous Great Ocean Drive. This tourist self-drive route winds along the coast then back inland, showcasing that amazing coastline you’ve heard so much about!

You’ve had a long day, so grab something easy and delicious for dinner. You can get takeaway from Curry Palace or Xing's Sushi & Noodle Bar or enjoy wood-fired pizzas at The Pier.

​Note: If you want to get straight to Esperance without stopping, you can go directly from Wave Rock and the journey will take you about 4 hours.

Start your day early and head out to Cape Le Grand National Park today. Don’t forget to pack a picnic or something to BBQ once you get into the national park. If you’re lucky enough to be in town for the fortnightly Saturday Esperance Grower’s Market, you can stock up on am amazing array of home-grown treats, including fresh bread from the famous Bread Local.

Cape Le Grand is about an hour’s drive, so again, fill up that coffee cup and grab a fresh pastry from the S'Juice van, located at the Pier, for breakfast on-the-go.

Lace up your boots and start your National Park morning by hiking Frenchman’s Peak. It’s a short but steep climb, and when you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of rolling hills, crystal blue waters and islands in the Recherche Archipelago. Be sure to explore the cave and take plenty of selfies!

Hop back in the car and take your pick of amazing beaches to explore. Australia’s most dazzling coastal jewel, Lucky Bay, is probably the most famous and is where you’ll find lazy kangaroos sunbathing on the beach. Other gorgeous beaches and coves in the National Park include Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove and Le Grand beach.

If you fancy a hike, explore the park’s wild reaches on the Le Grand Coastal Trail, which links many of the park’s most spectacular coastal sections between Le Grand Beach and Rossiter Bay.

After a day of exploration, set up camp for the night at Lucky Bay Campground, or Le Grand Beach Campground. Here you'll find yourself falling asleep to the sound of the ocean.

If you fancy a lazy day, make your way back to one of the gorgeous beaches in Esperance along the Great Ocean Drive and relax on the pure white sand. If you want to stay local but enjoy a stroll, the foreshore is beautiful and has a pedestrian path all along the coast. Make sure to grab something from one of the local coffee vans, Coffee Cat or Bean Break. There is also a pedestrian and cycle path that runs from town to Twilight beach.

If you want to get out onto the water, we’d recommend taking one of two wonderful cruises. The Esperance Island Cruise takes you around the Archipelago, showing you the beautiful water and local wildlife. You can hop into the water for a snorkel or just soak in the views. You can also take a cruise out to nearby Woody Island. The cruise includes a stop on the island so you can have your very own Robinson Crusoe moment, and a spot of snorkelling. From here, you can choose to stay on Woody Island in a Glamping tent, or head back to stay in Esperance.

If you want to splurge and do something really amazing, take a flight with Fly Esperance over the Archipelago Islands to view the spectacular coastline from above. Pink lakes contrast with the green bushland and blue water for a truly astonishing view. Or if you to stay grounded, discover Australia’s Whitest Beaches on a Luxury 4x4 Adventure with Tour Esperance.

After your day exploring (or just relaxing) we’d recommend pizza and a beer tasting at Lucky Bay Brewing, Esperance’s very own award-winning craft brewery. Live music is hosted every Friday and Sunday.

Throw in your towel, snorkel and fins, and surfboard, and begin your drive along the coastal wonderland of Great Ocean Drive. We recommend snorkelling in the calm, clear blue waters of Blue Haven Beach and Twilight Cove. If you prefer surfing, make your way to West Beach, Fourth Beach or Observatory Beach. For some spectacular views, Observatory Point Lookout and Rotary Lookout are well worth the climb.

After a day exploring the pristine white beaches, make your way to Aurelia’s in the town centre, where you can indulge in over 30 flavours of ice-cream. History enthusiasts will find a captivating experience at the Esperance Museum, home to the world’s largest and most comprehensive displays of Skylab, the first American space station. Art lovers should not miss Cindy Poole Glass Artist ‘Gallery Experience’, where you can embark on a self-guided journey, shop for the perfect gift, or even book a behind-the-scenes tour.

Round off your day with a tasting adventure at Esperance Distillery Co, where you can sample a range of gins crafted from local native botanicals. Alternatively, you can visit the full-size replica of the Stonehenge on the town’s outskirts. Treat yourself to a delicious dinner at one of Esperance’s great restaurants – we love Fish Face, Loose Goose, Taylor St. Quarters or Seasons restaurant. Head to our blogs page for some dinner inspiration!

If you’re looking for nearby accommodation, Esperance offers an array of stays offering easy access to the town centre, calm swimming beaches, fishing jetties, and a variety of cafes and restaurants.

It’s time to rise and shine! We’re taking a different route home – via the beautiful southern Wheatbelt. It’s about a 4-hour drive to Kukerin, so fuel up coffee and a delicious breakfast at Downtown Espresso Bar or Brown Sugar before hitting the road.

Work your way through rolling farmland and vast salt lakes to your first stop, Newdegate. Here, you’ll want to check out the supersized silo art featuring local nature and wildlife, painted by Perth artist Brenton See. Hop back in and head to the historic town of Lake Grace. Make sure you make a stop at the restored ‘Stationmaster’s House’, now operating as the Lake Grace Visitor Centre, where you can soak in information about the town. Explore the renowned Lake Grace, the shallow salt lake that gave the town its name.

While in Lake Grace, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the State's only remaining Australian Inland Mission Hospital, established back in 1926. You can also catch one of the numerous art exhibitions held throughout the year at the Regional Artspace.

For an authentic, rural experience, stay the night at Mary’s Farm Cottages. Here, you can enjoy a tour at Australia’s largest yabby farm, Cambinyata Yabbies. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase delicious gourmet products, or better yet, order a feed of steamed yabbies with Mary’s homemade dukkah and bread, delivered to your door.

It’s time to pack up the car and begin your drive back to Perth. Don’t worry, there’s still a few sights left to explore!

Start by getting in your car and making your way to The Wuddi Cultural Centre. Immerse yourself in the area’s ancient Aboriginal history by exploring local cultural traditions, bushfoods, stories, artworks, and artefacts. If you fancy a tour, The Cultural Centre offers culturally themed tours, including Bushfood Garden Experience, Lake Dumbleyung and Significant Sites and Emu Dreaming Emu Farm Tour.

Take a break or enjoy a refreshing dip at Lake Dumbleyung before embarking on a drive along the Lake Dumbleyung Scenic Drive, leading you to Pussy Cat Hill. Here, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of the largest inland body of water in Western Australia. You can also admire a replica of the ‘bluebird’ hydroplane, which made history in 1964 by breaking the world water speed record across Lake Dumbleyung. If you enjoy checking out oversized attractions, a visit to the Giant Ram Tourist Park in Wagin is a must!

If you’re looking for an authentic farm life experience, there’s no better place to stop than Williams Woolshed. Learn the story of wool through interactive displays, live storytelling and theatrical presentations. Indulge in local produce in their rustic shed café, and check out the range of woollen clothing at the Woolstation. Arrive home in Perth and hop into bed, it’s been an epic few days!