From ocean drives and wildflowers to distilleries and hiking; here are the best things to see and do in Esperance this Spring.
Spring in Esperance is a sight to behold. The cooler days are perfect for hiking and exploring, whilst the sunny days offer a chance to enjoy those iconic beaches with pretty much no one else around. It’s when the wildflowers spring to life, so exploring the many national parks is a dream. If you’re heading to our coastal paradise soon, check out some of our favourite things to do from September to November – it’s time to start planning your adventure!
Great Ocean Drive Tourist Loop
The Great Ocean Drive is a breath-taking 40-kilometre loop that showcases some of the best beaches Esperance has to offer. The water is crystal-clear and the views are breath-taking. Marvel over Twilight Beach, West Beach and the Rotary Lookout for some epic Esperance views. You can cycle and walk the route too, so if you want to get the fresh air into your lungs, hit the path on foot or two wheels.
Esperance Bird & Animal Park & Café
A short 10-minute drive from Esperance township, you can enjoy interacting with some friendly animals, feeding the birds (there are over two hundred!), and have some delicious lunch at the cool café. The Esperance Bird & Animal Park is a great spot for the whole family to enjoy.
Visit Esperance Stonehenge
Always wanted to see Stonehenge? Save the airfare (and jetlag) and experience this full-size replica of the original right here in Esperance! The owners of Esperance Stonehenge describe their creation as the only astronomically aligned, full-scale, "exact" replica of a pristine Stonehenge. Of course, it has a local twist, with the 137 stones all being Esperance Pink Granite, quarried locally less than 1km away.
Paddock to Plate
Esperance has undergone a bit of a culinary reinvention of late, with a huge array of new cafes, restaurants, delis and food trucks to indulge your every mood. If you fancy fresh fish with a sea view, head to the iconic Taylor St Quarters or Fish Face. Both offer menus based on the coastal and agricultural heritage of the area, paired with exquisite local wines. Looking for something a little more European? Check out newbie Bistro Louis – this French-style cafe is currently offering delicious brunches and coffee, but are hoping to expand to dinner soon. Bon Appetit!
If you’re packing up for a day at Cape Le Grand, grab a freshly baked loaf from Bread Local and stock up on deli goodies or even a seasonal hamper from Bob & Jim’s General Store and truly pimp your picnic!
No trip to Esperance is complete without a visit to Lucky Bay Brewing. Sample craft beer made right here in town in their epic warehouse-style microbrewery. Add live music on weekends and delicious woodfired pizzas, and you’ve got yourself the perfect Sunday session.
Check out our full list of places to eat and drink in Esperance here.
Esperance Museum
The Esperance Museum boasts a huge and unique collection of memorabilia that date way back to the 1800s, to give you a rich insight into the region’s history. Just a short stroll from the foreshore, you’ll find the museum in a historic railway building. Discovery Esperance’s early pioneering history, maritime exhibits, the locomotive engine, a circa 1820 piano, an extensive range of historical photographs, and so much more. Make sure you don’t miss the world’s most comprehensive display of NASA Skylab memorabilia too! We bet there’s plenty of stories at this museum that you’ve never heard of, check out some of the most intriguing and start planning your visit.
Walking Trails
Spring is a great time to hit the trails and head out for a hike. The weather is perfect and the abundant wildflowers mean the bush is at its most colourful. Choose from walking trails within the town centre, or head to one of the national parks to ramp up the intensity. The 20km Cape Le Grand walking trail offers pristine views of the park and the ocean, and you may even bump into the kangaroos on the way! The Dempster Head Walking Trail is a relatively gentle walking trail which offers spectacular views of the town and the bay, as well as a panorama from the top of the hill that cannot be beaten. Read more about our 7 favourite trails here.
National Parks Galore
While Cape Le Grand National Park is one of the more well-known national parks in the region, it’s not the only one. Combined, the 4 national parks cover a dramatic 3,200 square kilometres, so you’ve got a lot of ground to explore! Cape Arid National Park and Stokes National Park showcase incredible beaches, inlets, camp spots, sand dunes and so much more. Peak Charles National Park is further inland and has stunning granite peaks to climb and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. If it’s an adventure you’re after in Esperance this Spring, make sure these national parks are on your list.
Climb Frenchman’s Peak
Frenchman’s Peak is located within Cape Le Grand National Park and will lead you to an incredible panoramic view over the ocean and Recherche Archipelago. This highly popular trail is 3 kilometres long, and will take you between 1 and 3 hours – it’s pretty steep, so be prepared! Don’t forget your camera and you’ll be treated to incredible views via a natural window as you summit.
Wildflower Trail
The Esperance Wildflower Trail travels through some of Western Australia’s most spectacular rural and coastal scenery. Taking in sights from the Fitzgerald River National Park which is home to almost 20% of WA’s plant species, as well as Cape Le Grand National Park, this trail is a must during Spring. From mid-August to November the wildflowers reach full bloom and showcase a unique landscape bursting to life with colour.
Cindy Poole Glass Artist Gallery
Cindy Poole Glass Artist Gallery features an onsite studio and café showcasing Cindy’s amazing collection of kiln-fired glasswork, bespoke and conceptual artworks, jewellery, decorative glass objects and so much more. Visitors have the opportunity to get a behind the scenes tour of the craft that goes into these incredible pieces. Enjoy a coffee in the secluded pallet garden and take in the acreage surrounding you.
Esperance Distillery
Try a locally crafted spirit tasting at Esperance Distillery Co, the smallest distillery in Australia! This father-son duo literally infuse the local environment into their small batch gin, rum and vodka, using native botanicals like Vanilla Acacia, Esperance Wax, Lemon Bush and Rosella found within 100km of Esperance. The Esperance Distillery Co also won gold at the recent Perth Royal Spirit Awards, so you’ll be sampling award-winning beverages! Fancy trying some locally made beer too? Head over to Lucky Bay Brewing for a craft ale and woodfired pizza.
Esperance Farm Experience
With a focus on fun, food, and learning, you will have the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of how your food and clothes are produced at Esperance Farm Experience! Discover a wide variety of machinery and meet the friendly animals that call the farm home. Take the family along to learn about the agricultural industry, the history of farming, learn how olives are pressed, and taste some award-winning olive oil, wine, and gin! The perfect Esperance day out.
Untamed Escapes Wellness Tour
Book a wellness tour with Untamed Escapes to explore adventure, wildlife, wellness, and indulgent experiences along the Esperance coastline. Your passionate storytellers will guide you on this exclusive private tour where you’ll do yoga, meditation, treat yourself to delicious food and abundant nature. Roam the incredible Esperance beaches, sample incredible produce, meet the local kangaroos, cruise through the islands, and unleash your inner artist through photography and art. Take this as your sign to book into a wellness escape this Spring.
Visit Lucky Bay
This pristine white sandy beach is one that you most definitely need to see. Located within Cape Le Grand National Park, Lucky Bay is known to be one of Australia’s best beaches, and for good reason! It boasts pure white sand, turquoise and clear waters, and excellent swimming conditions. Not to mention the friendly kangaroos that like to lounge around on the beach! Lucky Bay is also a 5-kilometre-long beach, meaning that there will be plenty of space to have a slice of paradise to yourself.
After seeing Lucky Bay, be sure to check out some of the other incredible beaches on offer, including Hellfire Bay, Twilight Bay, Wharton Beach, Blue Haven, and Thistle Cove. All beautiful in their own unique way.
Cannery Arts Centre
The Cannery Arts Centre is a vibrant community arts centre located on the spectacular Esperance foreshore. They offer workshops, exhibitions and events to the Esperance community and visitors, inspired by bringing people together through the arts in all its different forms. Run by passionate volunteers, you will be able to immerse yourself into art, whether you are just looking, or creating something yourself. Think incredible artwork, pottery, arts and crafts, sculptures, and so much more. There is such a wide variety of experiences here, you will definitely want to check it out.