10 Best Beaches in Esperance, Western Australia
Uncover the 10 best beaches in Esperance to see and experience some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!
Esperance is a small town located along the south coast of Western Australia. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Western Australia because of its natural beauty and endless stretches of stunning beaches.
I spent a week exploring Western Australia and the beaches in Esperance blew me away. They reminded me of a mix of the beaches I’ve seen in Europe, Seychelles, and Hawaii all combined into one.
Below are the best beaches in Esperance and some of your most burning questions answered.
➡️ Read More: The Ultimate Perth to Esperance Road Trip
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In This Post
Best Beaches in Esperance Map
10 Best Beaches in Esperance
Wharton Beach Esperance
Wharton Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Esperance and one of my top 3 favorites! It is known for its soft white sand, amazingly blue waters, and stunning surroundings.
Wharton Beach is one of the best places to visit for surfing. You can also bring your van on the beach here which is amazing for enjoying the ultimate van life experience.
🚗 Drive from Esperance: The drive from Esperance to Wharton Beach takes approximately 1 hour.
💰 Cost of Visiting: Free.
Lucky Bay Esperance
Lucky Bay is a breathtaking beach located within Cape Le Grand National Park. It is famous for its stunning waters, white sand, and – most notably – the kangaroos that are often found on the beach!
🚗 Drive from Esperance: The drive from Esperance to Lucky Bay takes ~ 1 hour, covering a distance of ~55 kilometers (34 miles).
💰 Cost of Visiting: There is no entry fee to access Lucky Bay, but you need to pay a park entry fee for Cape Le Grand National Park – $15 AUD per day.
Cape Le Grand Beach
Cape Le Grand Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline located within Cape Le Grand National Park. It is a MASSIVE beach with tons of space, beautiful blue waters, and sand as far as the eye can see.
Read More: 3 Week Australia Itinerary
🚗 Drive from Esperance: 1 hour.
💰Cost of Visiting: To access Cape Le Grand National Park, you will need to pay a park entry fee of around $15 AUD per day.
Twilight Beach Esperance
Twilight Beach is my FAVORUITE beach in Esperance. With its white sand, turquoise waters, and granite rock formations, it is easily one of the best beaches in Esperance that is beyond magical!
🚗 Drive from Esperance: The drive from Esperance to Twilight Beach takes approximately 10 minutes.
💰 Cost of Visiting: Free.
Hellfire Bay
Hellfire Bay is a stunning and secluded beach located within Cape Le Grand National Park. It is known for its white sand, clear waters, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
🚗 Drive from Esperance: The drive from Esperance to Hellfire Bay takes ~1 hour.
💰 Cost of Visiting: To access Hellfire Bay, you will need to pay a park entry fee for Cape Le Grand National Park – $15 AUD per day.
Thistle Cove
Thistle Cove is one of the best beaches in Esperence location within Cape Le Grand National Park.
It is most famous for not only being a stunning beach, but also because many people skip it while in Esperance so it is not very busy! As a result, you can enjoy it almost all to yourself.
🚗 Drive from Esperance: 1 hour.
💰 Cost of Visiting: $15 AUD per day park entry fee for Cape Le Grand National Park.
Wylie Head Beach
Wylie Head Beach is a picturesque beach with blue waters and huge granite rocks. This is one of the best beaches in Esperance that is located very close to the town and is not as popular as a lot of the others.
🚗 Drive from Esperance: 15 minutes from Esperance.
💰 Cost of Visiting: Free.
11 Mile Beach
11 Mile Beach is a stunning coastal gem located near Esperance. It is famous for its long endless stretch of white sand, clear turquoise waters, and coastal scenery. This is one of the longest beaches I have ever seen – it is SO impressive!
🚗 Drive from Esperance: The drive from Esperance to 11 Mile Beach takes ~ 20 to 30 minutes.
💰 Cost of Visiting: Free.
Blue Haven Beach
Blue Haven Beach is a stunning coastal paradise located near Esperance. It is famous for its clear turquoise waters, soft white sand, and relaxing atmosphere.
🚗 Drive from Esperance: The drive from Esperance to Blue Haven Beach takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
💰 Cost of Visiting: Free.
Observatory Beach
Observatory Beach is a secluded and picturesque coastal spot located near Esperance. It is known for its rugged beauty, endless stretch of white sand, and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding coastline.
🚗 Drive from Esperance: The drive from Esperance to Observatory Beach takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
💰 Cost of Visiting: Free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Esperance?
Esperance is a town located on the southern coast of Western Australia. It is located approximately 720 kilometers (450 miles) southeast of Perth.
Esperance is known for its world-class beaches and rugged coastal landscapes. It is easily one of the most beautiful places in Australia that I fell in love with.
How to get from Esperance to Perth
There are a few options for traveling from Esperance to Perth:
🚗 By Car/Van: The most common way to travel between Esperance and Perth is by car or van. The journey takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, covering a distance of around 720 kilometers (450 miles).
DRIVING IS THE BEST OPTION TO GET FROM ESPERANCE TO PERTH
I rented a van with a bed and kitchenette and it was the ultimate Australian experience!
🚌 By Bus: There are some bus companies that offer services between Esperance and Perth. The journey by bus typically takes around 9 to 10 hours, depending on the route and any stops along the way.
🛩️ By Plane: Esperance has a small regional airport, and flights to Perth are available with Regional Express (REX) Airlines. The flight takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Which beaches can you drive on in Esperance?
In Esperance driving on beaches is permitted ONLY in designated areas. Some of the beaches where driving is allowed include:
🌞 Wylie Bay Beach: Wylie Bay is known for its sandy shoreline, and driving is permitted on certain sections of the beach.
🌞 Nine Mile Beach: This long stretch of coastline allows for driving in designated areas.
🌞 Cape Le Grand National Park: Within the national park, there are specific areas where driving on the beach is allowed, including areas near Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay.
🌞 Duke of Orleans Bay: This bay features sandy beaches where driving is permitted.
💡 IMPORTANT: Be cautious of the sand conditions when driving on the beach if you don’t have 4 wheel drive the sand must be hard to drive on it.
Which beach in Esperance has kangaroos?
Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park is famous for its kangaroos. If you visit Lucky Bay you MIGHT have the unique experience of encountering kangaroos hopping along the beach or lounging on the sand.
💡 INSIDER TIP: Kangaroos are most commonly spotted around the campground area and along the beach, particularly during the early morning and late afternoon hours.
How many days should I spend in Esperance?
The ideal length of stay in Esperance can vary depending on your interests, preferences, and available time. However, to fully explore the area and experience I suggest spending 4 + days in Esperance.
Spending a week in Esperance is BEST as this gives you more time to see all the beaches around the town. Plus, if there is some bad weather you still have time to explore!
Where is the best place to see the sunset in Esperance?
One of the best places to witness the sunset in Esperance is at Twilight Beach. Located just a short drive from the town center, Twilight Beach is known for its stunning natural beauty and offers an ideal vantage point for enjoying the evening sky.
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Love,
SSW
