Ultimate Guide to Esperance, West Aus.
Hello Solside fam,
We were lucky enough to spend three beautiful summer months together in Esperance, WA at the start of the year & got to explore its crystal clear, vibrant blue waters & stunning coastal landscape at length. So, we have collated our favourite spots & must see destinations in Esperance, right here for you - it would be rude not to right?!
If you are ever lucky enough to find yourself in this dreamy south west coastal town, then these are our top recommendations…
Waste the days away at Wharton’s Beach..
Starting first & foremost with our favourite spot in Esperance - the stunning Wharton Beach. This is easily the place that we spent the most time at. It’s clear tranquil turquoise water, insanely white sand & the most beautiful dune backdrop make it collectively one of our favourite beaches in all of Australia. It’s easy to waste the days away here - surfing, diving, hiking to the most epic sunset view point & just enjoying each others company in one of the most surreal places in the world. If you are lucky, you’ll also get to see the resident dolphins that love to cruise around the bay most days. There’s no reception here so bring a good book & soak up all this place has to offer.
A hot tip for our fellow van lifers - there is a great free camp at the Condingup oval which is approximately 20 minutes away from Wharton’s. Be sure to double check if it’s still open on Wikicamps & leave it better than you found it.
Early morning swims at Twilight Beach..
Probably the most popular & “Instagramed” beach in Esperance is the beautiful Twilight Beach. The hype for this beach is completely justified, with its classic crystal clear Esperance waters, the Twilight rock to jump from & great facilities including toilets & beach showers. The only thing we will say is that this spot gets very busy on the daily. If you are like us & love to avoid all crowds then our recommendation is to visit this spot in the early mornings. It became one of our favourite rituals to wake up early & enjoy our morning coffee here followed by an icy ocean dip & fresh water rinse under the beach showers. There was always something so magic about getting this spot all to ourselves for a little.
Coffee + toasties at ‘Cloud 11’ cafe..
We don’t eat out often so when we do we like to make sure it is worth it & Cloud 11 certainly is. This fast became our favourite spot to dine at with its dog friendly outdoor seating, delicious toasties & coffees that even got these coffee snobs tick of approval. Also, a special mention to their beautiful (& big!) handcrafted pottery mugs that make the coffee taste even better!
Coastal walk from West Beach to Blue Haven..
Esperance is home to arguably the most scenic stretch of coastline we have ever seen. We would highly recommend taking the time to walk along the coastal track that weaves along this stretch of coast, stopping at each of the beautiful beaches the town has to offer. Our favourite section of this track is from West Beach to Blue Haven. It is an easy going walk, just be sure to bring your bathers for a dip at Blue Haven beach (you’ll see how appropriately it’s named!!), a good podcast to listen to along the way, & you will be wanting your camera too, to snap some of these insane views!
Snorkelling at Observatories Lagoon..
If you’re looking for another activity to add to the bucket list, you won’t want to miss out on visiting Observatory Beach. This was another one of our favourite spots to park up at for the day. The views from the car park alone were stunning but the beach itself is incredible. The best spot to swim (be very careful of rips here) is in the Lagoon at the far right side of the staircase. It is also a great snorkelling spot with some beautiful sea life to witness.
Beach days at 11 Mile..
This beach is a bit of a drive out of town, but it is well worth it in our opinion! Its location means it is less crowded than the other beaches can be & once again it is crazy beautiful. There are some great rock pools to explore here & sections of this beach are clothing optional for the free spirits out there. It is the perfect spot to set up at for the day with your beach umbrella & a good book, just be aware that there are no toilets here & the carpark is quite tight so it fills up quickly.
Finish the day with sunset at 9 Mile..
The 9 Mile beach car park quickly became our favourite sunset viewing spot in Esperance. It has crazy views across the rugged ocean landscape that leave you in awe. Esperance is also home to some of the most beautiful sunsets & sunrises we have seen, so be sure to prioritise taking the time to watch the sunset over the ocean here.
Special mentions..
If you are travelling with your furry friends you’ll be happy to know that Esperance is one of the most dog friendly towns we have visited in West Aus. A lot of the beaches & cafes are dog friendly which meant we got to enjoy these beautiful places with our pups right by our side. Just be aware that often there are a lot of small blow fish washed up on the beaches here so be extra careful that your doggo doesn’t pick anything up & if you have even a slight concern that they may have, take them straight to the friendly local vet.
We can’t finish this blog without mentioning the hot showers at the Esperance pool + Leisure centre. If you are long term travellers like us, you will understand the absolute luxury of a good hot shower & the facilities here do not disappoint. If you visit in its last opening hour, admission is half price which ends up being around $3 per person & you have access to the pool & spa too!
We hope these tips have been helpful & that you love your time in Esperance as much as we loved ours!
With love,
The Solside Team.
Love the shots featured here?!
Check out our new sustainable print store..