Perth to Esperance Road Trip – The 16 Best Stops

The Perfect Perth to Esperance Road Trip Itinerary

After driving Australia’s whole loop, we feel confident we know what Australia has to offer, and Western Australia is the perfect place to explore. As it is so remote, rugged, untouched and secluded, you feel like you’re experiencing something that others have not yet found. Is travelling in Australia really dangerous? No, we think it is safe and a wonderful experience. Whether you’re driving from Perth to Broome or on a Perth to Esperance road trip, you will often find that you have the whole beach or national park to yourself. You will not be able to experience this on the touristy routes of the East Coast. 

Prepare for some of the best beaches Australia has to offer, an abundance of wildlife, a laid-back attitude and world-class wine. You will undoubtedly have a memorable Perth to Esperance road trip; there is no doubt about that. Is there anything better than a road trip anyway? It’s time to head southwest and complete one of Australia’s best or add it to your bucket list.

What is the distance from Perth to Esperance?

The Perth to Esperance road trip is around 1800km if you do it as a round trip. The most direct route is around a seven and a half-hour drive. If you have never been to Australia, it isn’t easy to fully understand how big it is, and this journey will highlight this. Although, it is by no means the longest journey in WA. 

You can catch a bus with TransWA, which departs from the East Perth Terminal and will take around 12 hours.

Perth to Esperance Road Trip Map

How should you travel from Perth to Esperance?

The Perth to Esperance road trip is great for those utilising the freedom camps and staying in their vans/ cars or campers. It is one of those epic road trips that you can do on a tight budget, as a lot of the attractions we list are free because you are exploring nature.

If you’re not up for camping, you can easily stay at hotels and hostels along the central town route. 

You can hire rental cars and campers from Perth. Be aware that if you are not planning on making it a round trip and only wish to drive from Perth to Esperance, then it will be more expensive. 

We don’t recommend catching the bus because you will miss out on some significant parts of the trip. However, there are tours that you can join from several companies. The most popular tour is the 6 Day Esperance Tour from Perth, which is an all-inclusive trip. 

When is the best time to road trip to Esperance?

The best time to explore Australia’s southwest for the best weather is from October to February. It can get cold and rainy in the Aussie winter, so you are better off exploring in the summer months. However, if you visit between June and October, it is a great time to see the Southern Right Whale migrate along the Esperance coast. Also, it is wildflower season from September to early December in Esperance, where the everyday greenery transforms into bright colours.

Therefore, if you want the weather, wildflowers and whales, you should aim to visit in October! However, if you are going to enjoy the beaches, you should go to the Aussie summer. We know many people think of Australia as being hot – but we can promise you it is not all year round. In August, the average temperature in Esperance is 15°C, and there can be many storms too – not the best conditions for enjoying the great outdoors.

If you are heading to WA in winter and cannot come in the summer, you will probably want to go from Perth to Broome instead. It is beautiful too, and you’ll have better weather!

What is there to see between Perth and Esperance?

There are so many beautiful things to see and do on a road trip between Perth and Esperance. The highlights include charming towns, breath-taking beaches and Karri Forests. Read the list of the top 16 things to see to get an overall picture! It is hard to choose where to stop because everything is so exciting and memorable.

How long do you need for the Perth to Esperance Road Trip?

You will need at least a week to complete the Perth to Esperance road trip. However, you may want to stay longer in places or even skip some. Our suggestions are a guide that you should use to plan your custom Perth to Esperance itinerary! For a rough idea, most people make this road trip comfortably in 10 or 11 days, and some people take much longer and spend 2 to 3 weeks. Think about how you like to travel and go from there. Consider the route you want to go on, as there are some faster and slower options.

Which route should I take?

There are several options, and this all comes down to time and what you want to see on the way. If you are making a round trip, we recommend that you drive along the coastline from Perth to Esperance and then take the inland route, which is much quicker back to Perth (696km and 7 hours 25 minutes car). Alternatively, you can fly back from Esperance Airport back to Perth or continue into South Australia, which is what we did.

There is also the option to take a shorter route from Perth to Albany, then to Esperance, and return to Perth inland, passing via Wave Rock. This route covers 1,600km and takes over 17 hours, so if you are short on time and still want to see more of the southwest coast, this is the route for you.

 

Travel Tips and Things to Know

• Download an offline map. This can be Google Maps or Maps.Me. For other travel apps you may need, click here.
• Fill up your car with fuel before you leave, and then keep it topped up when you are travelling.
• Bring lots of water with you.
• Download the two apps WikiCamps and Campermate to find free and paid campsites, reviews and amenities. 
• The roads are sealed, which means that you do not need a 4WD to get around (unless you plan to go off-roading).
• Be very cautious when you drive in Australia due to the wildlife you can encounter. It is not uncommon to see Emus and Kangaroos on the road or roadside, especially at dusk and dawn. We tell anyone who will listen not to drive at night because you do not want to have any accidents.
• Take your time, be flexible with your route and discover new places as you go – Australia is HUGE. Do not stretch yourself too much.
• The currency is AUD, so when we refer to $ in this Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary, prices are always in the local currency. A good app to use to convert currency is XE.
• The best things in life are free, which is certainly true of the Perth to Esperance road trip. If you are looking at heading to the national parks, you should pick up a National Parks Pass. You can get a month pass for $60, 14 days for $40 and 5 days for $25. 

The Top 16 Places to see on your Perth to Esperance Road Trip

This is a list of the top 16 places you can see on the Perth to Esperance road trip. Remember, you could see many of them in one day if you want to, and you should decide what you want to see and create your road trip itinerary from Perth to Esperance. We have written them in order and have stated the distance between the places to help you plan. Remember, you can do this in reverse order and go from Esperance to Perth. Scroll up instead.

Perth

You should begin your Perth to Esperance road trip in Western Australia’s capital and take your time to explore the most isolated city in the world. Some people may want to pick up their hire car and head out, but there are so many wonderful things you can see and do in Perth.

Perth has a lot to offer including:

• Elizabeth Quay
• King’s Park
• Freemantle (go to the prison and Little Creature’s Brewery)
• The Blue Boat House
• London Court
• Cottesloe, City Beach and Port Beach

Rottnest Island

Time from Perth: 25 minutes by car to Fremantle and another 25 minutes by ferry to Rottnest Island.

Distance: 23km to Fremantle

Hop on an affordable ferry to Rottnest Island and spend the day exploring the magnificent island. It is home to friendly quokkas, who love to have their picture taken and out of this world’s beaches (63 in total). You can hike, bus or bike around this island. We recommend the latter because you can fully appreciate what it has to offer at your own pace. There are no cars allowed on the island, so going by bike feels safe. We used the SeaLink Company, but there are others to choose from. We checked the date and time we wanted to go, and this was the best price. 

Don’t miss:

• Little Salmon Bay
• Parakeet Bay
• The Basin

Gnomesville

Time from Fremantle: 2 hours 5-minutes

Distance: 187km

You might not see Gnomesville on a usual Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary, but it is a unique sight. Gnomesville is home to over 3,000 Gnomes scattered in the bush. However, Australia is not home to many quirky attractions like this, so why not check it out? The gnomes started to appear to protest the roundabout being built silently, and eventually, were moved into their tiny village. You can take a gnome with you to add to the collection of gnomes from all over the world. Honestly, this is a quick but entertaining stop!

To reach Gnomesille, you should head to the junction of Wellington Mill and Ferguson Roads.

Busselton

Time from Gnomesville: 55-minutes

Distance: 74km

Busselton (Busso) is a popular seaside town home to a 19th-century jetty that goes out 1.8km into Geographe Bay. It is the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, and it is well worth the walk (or the train) to the end of the pier. Try and spot whales or dolphins! There is also an Underwater Observatory, where you can descend 8m to the ocean floor via a twisting staircase.

Good to know: it costs $4 per person to walk along the jetty and will take around 25-minutes each way. The Underwater Observatory costs $34 for an adult ticket.

On the way to Injidup Natural Spa, you could stop at Eagle Bay, and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, and climb the 59 stairs for amazing ocean views and see the incredible Sugarloaf Rock.

Injidup Natural Spa

Time from Busselton: 40 minutes

Distance: 42km

Injidup Natural Spa was once a hidden secret, but not anymore. Tourists now flock to the natural spa, where the rocks have caused waves to crash and fall into a pool, creating a spa-like setting.

You will have to climb over some rocks to reach it, but the experience is something special to do on your way to Esperance but does not try and go in if the swell is big – the water is more powerful than it may appear.

Good to know: you should get here early if you want to see it without the crowds. By early we mean before 10 am, and go at high tide!

Margaret River

Time from Injidup Natural Spa: 35-minutes

Distance: 40km

Margaret River is known for its world-class wineries and fantastic surf. There are around 120 wineries and 200 vineyards in the Margaret River region, so you will be able to find something for you. You can also sample some of the wines for free, but it is courteous to buy a bottle of wine at the end of your tasting.

If you’re not into wine, you should discover the breweries or some of the beaches in the area instead. Including the famous Hamelin Bay, where you might be able to spot wild stingrays swimming in the shallow waters, especially if you go early in the morning. Just remember that they are wild, so if the sea is rough, then you might not see them. What’s wonderful about Margaret River is the laid-back atmosphere – you could easily spend a long time exploring this region.

Boranup Karri Forest

Time from Margaret River: 17 minutes

Distance: 19km

The Boranup Karri Forest is part of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and is a unique place to take a scenic drive. The Karri trees are over 60-metres tall and make you feel tiny as they cover the slopes and valleys. The Karri Forest is special because of how close it is to the coast, and this is the furthest west that you can find these trees. A good spot to check out is the Boranup Lookout for incredible views over the forest and a place to have a BBQ.

Cape Leeuwin and Lighthouse

Time from Margaret River: 40-minutes

Distance: 51km

Cape Leeuwin is Australia’s tallest mainland lighthouse and is an excellent spot because you can see where the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet on the most south-westerly point of Aus! The lighthouse was built in 1895 from local limestone and is still used today to help navigate boats. The cape is also a great place to spot whales (May to September). Be aware that this area can get very busy at weekends, so try and avoid them if you can. 

Good to know: you can pay $5 to climb the lighthouse and get panoramic views over the coast. The tours to do this depart every 30-minutes from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. 

The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk 

Time from Cape Leeuwin: 3hrs 15-minutes

Distance: 273km

Near the town of Walpole, from a 40m high boardwalk, you will get to see some of the tallest trees in the world. These trees are called Tingle Trees and are over 400 years old. They are so huge that you can walk inside them, but this is because of fires, fungi and insects that have caused the holes.

The tickets cost $21 per person; if you want to walk through the valley or on a strict budget, you can opt to take the Ancient Empire route, where you can feel small against the towering tingle trees for free. Your ticket allows you to walk around as many times as you desire, and because it only takes about 20-minutes, you should do it more than once.

Peaceful Bay

Time from The Valley of the Giants: 40-minutes

Distance: 51km

Peaceful Bay is a beautiful spot to relax on your Perth to Esperance road trip. The best thing about this beach is that there are not many people here, as many people don’t know about it. The top things you can do here include swimming, walking on the beach, fishing and relaxing. It’s a moment of‘ peace’ and an excellent spot to break up your trip.

Denmark – Green Pools and Elephant Rocks

Time from Peaceful Bay: 40-minutes

Distance: 50km

Denmark is a charming town that has a lot to offer. The two most iconic sights are Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks – 15km from the town. They are a must-stop on your Perth to Esperance road trip. The beaches are next to each other, which means you can explore both on the same day. Greens Pool is calm with turquoise water and white sand and is sheltered, making it the perfect spot to take a dip. Over the hill, just 5-minutes away at Elephant Rocks, you can see the large boulders and understand where it gets its name. It is usually not as busy at Elephant Rocks and is still sheltered enough to swim. 

Good to know: if you are not visiting in the summer, unless you are fearless, swimming will be extremely cold. 

Albany

Time from Denmark: 40-minutes

Distance: 55km

There are many things to do in Albany. It was where the first Europeans settled in WA and is also the place where the ANZACs departed for WW1. The city is known for being historic, and you can see colonial buildings, convict prisons and churches.

Some of the best things you can do in Albany include:

• The Whaling Museum
• The 30-minute self-guided Amity Trail
• The National ANZAC Centre and Memorial
• Lovely restaurants on the pier.
• Coastal walks along King George Sound
• Explore the nearby Torndirrup National Park
• Discover the beaches Little Beach, Waterfall Beach Frenchman Bay and Two Peoples Bay

Bluff Knoll

Time from Albany: 1 hr 40-minutes

Distance: 102km

Bluff Knoll is the tallest peak in the Stirling Range and is the highest mountain in southern Western Australia. The well-maintained track is steep from the start and will take around 2 hours + to reach the summit. The views are spectacular. Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and be prepared for all weather conditions.

There are a car park and toilet facilities! 

Lake Grace

Time from Margaret River: 2hr 20-minutes

Distance: 169km

Lake Grace is the perfect destination if you want to see what the outback is really like. The lake is an enormous shallow salt lake that stretches 50.5km long and 7.25km wide. If you go to the Visitor Centre, they will give you up to date information on the attractions in the surrounding areas and town. It could include the inland mission hospitals, the mural, or one of the parks.

Wave Rock

Time from Lake Grace: 1 hr 10-minutes

Distance: 102km

Casting your eyes on the 2,700 million-year-old Wave Rock is a once in a lifetime experience. It is a large 15m tall multi-coloured granite rock, shaped like a wave. It is out of the way, but it is something quite spectacular. You can go on a ridge walk and look at the unique wave from above. 

Good to know: if you are short on time, it is a big detour to see this attraction. We are not saying that it is not spectacular, but you will have to drive a lot to see this. However, sometimes the journey is better than the destination, and you discover how beautiful nothing can be.

Alternative Route: if you are returning to Perth via Wave Rock, you may want to take the coastal route to Bremer Bay, West Cape Howe and Fitzgerald River National Park instead of Bluff Knoll and Lake Grace.

Esperance

Time from Wave Rock: 3hrs 55-minutes

Distance: 382km

You have made this epic journey to the quiet town of Esperance to explore the incredible Cape Le Grand National Park and the world-class beaches. The beach you most definitely have seen pictures of is Lucky Bay, which is often on the list of the best beaches in the world. It is the white sand beach you have probably seen on Instagram with the Kangaroos basking in the sun. It has become quite iconic in the last few years, and we can confirm it is an idyllic sight with turquoise water as a backdrop.

Good to know: visit early in the morning if you want to see the roos hopping on Lucky Bay beach. Just do not feed them!

Lucky Bay may be more famous, but Hellfire Bay is more impressive, in our humble opinion. There is even a possibility to spot dolphins and discover the secret Little Hellfire Bay too – which will likely be much quieter.

Other outstanding beaches that you should visit in Esperance include:

• Blue Haven
• Lovers Cove
• Eleven Mile Beach
• Salmon Beach
• West Beach
• Twilight Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth going to Esperance?

YES! A million times YES. We agree with the saying ‘Out of the way, out of this world’. The coastline is serene, secluded and sensational if you love beaches and the outdoors – this is the place for you.

How much does it cost to fly from Perth to Esperance?

You can fly from Perth to Esperance (EPR) in 1-hour 35-minutes. The only company that offers these flights is REX. Just remember, it can be hard to explore Esperance without a car because there is no public transport. Therefore, you should hire a car or join a tour when you arrive if you want to fully appreciate Esperance’s beauty.

The cost varies, the lowest price we have seen is $210 for a one-way ticket, but this was cheap – you might be looking at spending around $500.

What is Perth to Esperance drive like?

The drive is on sealed roads, which means it is accessible for everyone, no matter what vehicle you are driving! You can go inland (which is the quicker direct route) or follow the coast. The coastline route is much more scenic than the inland route, so if you want to make stops, take the coastal route.

Final Comments on the Perth to Esperance Road Trip

Without a doubt, Perth to Esperance road trip is one of the best in Australia, if not the world, and we love a good road trip. The rugged, untouched landscape is like nothing you have seen before, and WA is different from the other coastlines. It is a slice of paradise, a nature lover’s dream, and somewhere we want to return.

Planning a trip to WA? Check our other blogs on the state.

Things to do in Kalbarri

6 Reasons to Visit Western Australia

Perth to Broome Road Trip

Travel Australia Cheaply 

Have you visited? What would you recommend to do that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

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Photo Credit: averagelives.com

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