Esperance Western Australia
The place to be to discover the best looking beaches with the most colourful, tranquil blue water that ever seen in your life. The many nearby bays are stunning to say the least. The waters are calm and shallow and are great for swimming and snorkelling.
At a Glance
The Recherche Archipelago lies just off the coast consisting of over 200 islands, abundant with wildlife.
The best way to book Esperance
Where is Esperance?
Esperance is 721 kilometres south-east of Perth.
Esperance is situated on the south coast of Australia's Golden Outback tourist region. Esperance faces south to the Southern Ocean and is protected by over 200 islands of the Recherche Archipelago in the Bay of Isles. Many sheltered bays surround the town. One of the best ways to get to Esperance is to hire a car from Perth Airport or flying to Esperance Airport.
Things to see in Esperance
Great Ocean Drive
This coastal highway takes you on a journey spanning a 40 kilometres loop where you will discover the most spectacular coastal scenery. Along the way, make sure to stop at Twilight Cove, the most beautiful shallow bay that you may ever lay eyes on. Signposted stops guide you into discovery.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
Cape Le Grand National Park
This is one of Australia's most spectacular nature reserves. The park's main feature is 'Lucky Bay' which is an unspoilt beach stretching over 5km and fronting onto sparkling, clear blue water. One of the only areas in Australia where you may see Kangaroos sunbathing on the beach.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
Recherche Archipelago
A chain of islands less than 1 kilometre from shore litters the surrounding coastline. Consisting of some 105 islands, marine life flourishes in the crystal clear water which is perfect for divers and snorkellers. Seals are ubundant in the area and are a favourite attraction. There is also a beautiful pink lake, Lake Hillier located on Middle Island, the largest in the chain, which has to be seen to be believed.
Image © Greg Snell
Beaches
Esperance has some of the best beaches for swimming in Australia. The tropical blue colour of the water contrasts with the pure white sand of the beaches which give way to the green bushland behind it. Most visitors are pleasantly surprised by the bright white colour of the sand.
Image © Tourism Western Australia
What's the weather like?
With a temperate climate, Esperance's weather is typically cool. The Summers here are pleasantly warm. In Winter the coast is affected by storms moving east, which brings much of the rainfall. In Summer (December to February), the average maximum temperature is 26°C with an average minimum temperature of 15°C. In Winter (June to August), the average maximum temperature is 18°C with an average minimum temperature of 9°C.
Get to know Esperance's history
Esperance was named after "L'Esperance" a French frigate which, with its companion vessel Recherche, sheltered from a storm in these waters while exploring the coast of Western Australian in 1792. In the 1820s and 1830s the harbours and bays around Esperance were commonly used by sealers and whalers.
The town was founded in 1893 as a port facility for the Goldfields. For most of the 20th century the area around Esperance was regarded as too infertile for intense agriculture. It wasn't until 1949 that the Esperance Downs Research Station discovered that the local soil only needed additional trace elements to make it fertile. This simple discovery turned the area into a successful producer of wheat, sheep and cattle.
Looking for visitor and tourist information, maps and brochures, booking assistance and local expert tips in Esperance? Check out the Esperance Visitor Centre!