Esperance, located on Western Australia’s southern coast, is a photographer’s paradise. With its dazzling white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, rugged granite cliffs, and unique wildlife, it’s hard to take a bad photo here. Whether you’re an amateur or a seasoned pro, Esperance offers endless opportunities to capture stunning landscapes, seascapes, and wildlife. If you’re planning to photograph this coastal gem, here’s your guide to the best spots, tips, and techniques to ensure you capture the perfect shot in Esperance.

1. Lucky Bay: Kangaroos on the Beach

Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park is one of the most iconic locations in Esperance for photographers, and for good reason. Its pristine white sand and vibrant turquoise waters create the perfect backdrop for beach photography. What sets Lucky Bay apart from other beaches, however, are the friendly kangaroos that often lounge on the sand, creating a uniquely Australian photo opportunity.

To capture the best shots of the kangaroos, head to the beach in the early morning or late afternoon when the lighting is soft and the animals are more active. If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch a photo of a kangaroo hopping along the shoreline or basking in the sun next to the sparkling waters.

Photography tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the entire scene, including the kangaroos, the white sand, and the brilliant blue waters. If photographing wildlife, use a longer lens (70-200mm) to maintain distance and avoid disturbing the animals.

Best time to shoot: Early morning or late afternoon for the best light and most active wildlife.

Location: Cape Le Grand National Park, approximately 40 minutes from Esperance

Image © Tourism Western Australia

2. Twilight Beach: Granite Boulders and Seascapes

Voted one of Australia’s best beaches, Twilight Beach offers a stunning combination of smooth granite boulders, soft white sand, and crystal-clear waters. The large boulders scattered across the shoreline provide excellent focal points for seascape photography, especially at sunrise and sunset when the lighting is most dramatic.

The tranquil waters make Twilight Beach ideal for long exposure photography, allowing you to capture the movement of the waves against the rocks and sand. Experiment with different angles to highlight the unique features of the landscape, whether you’re shooting close-ups of the boulders or wide-angle shots of the sweeping coastline.

Photography tip: Try using a neutral density (ND) filter for long exposure shots to smooth out the water and create a dreamy, misty effect. Play with shutter speed to capture the movement of the waves.

Best time to shoot: Sunset for dramatic colors in the sky and soft lighting over the boulders.

Location: Twilight Beach Rd, Esperance, WA 6450

Image © Tourism Western Australia

3. Pink Lake Hillier: Aerial Photography at Its Best

Lake Hillier is one of the most striking natural wonders in Esperance, known for its bubblegum-pink waters that create an incredible contrast with the deep blue of the surrounding ocean. The best way to photograph Lake Hillier is from the air, as the lake’s vibrant pink color is most visible from above. Several tour operators offer scenic flights over Lake Hillier, providing a bird’s-eye view of this incredible landscape.

Capturing the pink hue of Lake Hillier requires good lighting conditions, so try to schedule your flight during mid-morning or early afternoon when the sun is high, ensuring the lake’s color is as vivid as possible. The aerial perspective also allows you to photograph the entire Recherche Archipelago, a collection of islands off Esperance’s coast, offering stunning views of the island’s coastlines and surrounding waters.

Photography tip: A fast shutter speed is crucial when shooting from a moving aircraft. Aim for at least 1/1000th of a second to keep your images sharp, and use a polarizing filter to reduce reflections and enhance color saturation.

Best time to shoot: Mid-morning to early afternoon for optimal lighting and vibrant color contrasts.

Location: Middle Island, accessible via scenic flight from Esperance

Image © Tourism Western Australia

4. Cape Le Grand National Park: Panoramic Views from Frenchman Peak

For those looking to capture panoramic landscapes, the hike up Frenchman Peak in Cape Le Grand National Park offers some of the best views in the region. From the summit, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Lucky Bay, Hellfire Bay, and the surrounding national park. The unique rock formations at the top of the peak also provide interesting foreground elements for your landscape shots.

Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the vastness of the park and the dramatic coastline stretching out below you. If you’re lucky enough to be there at sunrise or sunset, the warm light will enhance the colors of the rocks and the coastline, making for truly spectacular images.

Photography tip: Use a wide-angle lens (16-35mm) to capture the full scope of the landscape, and try to include interesting foreground elements (such as rocks or plants) to add depth to your shots.

Best time to shoot: Early morning or sunset for the best lighting and dramatic shadows.

Location: Cape Le Grand National Park, approximately 40 minutes from Esperance

Image © Tourism Western Australia

5. Blue Haven Beach: A Turquoise Dream

Blue Haven Beach is one of Esperance’s hidden gems, known for its sheltered, turquoise waters and peaceful atmosphere. The beach is framed by granite cliffs, which create interesting natural compositions for your photographs. The vivid blue color of the water contrasts beautifully with the white sand and the dark rock formations, making it an ideal spot for seascape photography.

Blue Haven Beach’s calm waters are perfect for experimenting with reflections and long exposure shots, capturing the motion of the waves as they gently lap against the shore.

Photography tip: Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare from the water and enhance the color of the ocean. Play with long exposure techniques to capture the movement of the water.

Best time to shoot: Late morning or early afternoon when the sun highlights the turquoise color of the water.

Location: Twilight Beach Rd, Esperance, WA 6450

Image © Tourism Western Australia

6. Woody Island: Wildlife and Coastal Beauty

For those interested in wildlife photography, a visit to Woody Island is a must. Part of the Recherche Archipelago, Woody Island is home to a variety of seabirds, dolphins, and other marine life, making it a great destination for capturing natural wildlife in their habitat. The island’s rugged coastline and crystal-clear waters also offer excellent opportunities for landscape and seascape photography.

Take a boat tour to Woody Island, and bring along a zoom lens (70-300mm or more) to photograph the wildlife from a distance without disturbing the animals. The island’s unique rock formations and secluded coves also provide stunning backdrops for your photos.

Photography tip: For wildlife shots, use a fast shutter speed to capture birds in flight or dolphins in action. A long zoom lens will allow you to get closer to the animals without disrupting them.

Best time to shoot: Morning or late afternoon for wildlife activity and softer lighting.

Location: Woody Island, accessible by boat from Esperance

Image © Tourism Western Australia

7. Eleven Mile Beach: Rugged Beauty

If you’re looking for dramatic seascapes and rugged natural beauty, Eleven Mile Beach is the perfect location. This remote beach is part of the Great Ocean Drive and offers stunning views of the wild Southern Ocean crashing against the coastline. The wind-swept dunes and jagged rocks make for striking compositions, especially when the waves are at their most powerful.

Eleven Mile Beach is ideal for capturing moody, atmospheric shots, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon when the light creates long shadows across the landscape.

Photography tip: For dramatic seascapes, use a slow shutter speed to blur the motion of the waves against the rocks. Bring a sturdy tripod to keep your camera steady during long exposures.

Best time to shoot: Early morning or sunset for softer lighting and dramatic shadows.

Location: Eleven Mile Beach Rd, Esperance, WA 6450

Image © Tourism Western Australia

8. Esperance Stonehenge: Ancient Meets Modern

For a quirky and unexpected photo opportunity, head to the Esperance Stonehenge. This full-sized replica of the ancient Stonehenge in England is made from locally sourced granite and provides a striking contrast to the surrounding landscapes of Esperance. The unique stone formations create interesting geometric compositions, especially when photographed at sunrise or sunset, when the light casts dramatic shadows across the stones.

Photography tip: Experiment with different angles to capture the symmetry and scale of the stone circle. Use a wide-angle lens to include the sky and surrounding landscape in your shots.

Best time to shoot: Sunrise or sunset for the best lighting and long shadows.

Location: McIntosh Rd, Esperance, WA 6450

Image © Tourism Western Australia

Final Thoughts

Esperance is a dream destination for photographers, offering a diverse range of landscapes, wildlife, and unique natural wonders. From the turquoise waters of Blue Haven Beach to the pink hues of Lake Hillier, there’s no shortage of incredible scenes waiting to be captured. Whether you’re photographing kangaroos on the beach or flying over a pink lake, Esperance offers endless opportunities to create stunning images.

So pack your camera, explore the natural beauty of Esperance, and capture the perfect shot in this coastal paradise.