Welcome to Esperance

WELCOME TO Esperance

Graced with a temperate climate year round and sugar-white sand bordered by brilliant blue-water bays, the peace and simplicity of the region is a large part of its appeal.

Devoid of high rise structures and crowds, the Esperance region is instead characterised by spectacular coastal scenery, an abundance of wildlife such as seals, dolphins, whales, emus and sea eagles, pristine beaches, hundreds of islands and extensive national parks. It is one of the only places in Western Australia where you will see kangaroos sunbathing on the beach.

The Esperance region is a paradise for lovers of the water and the sun. Its beaches are considered amongst the best in the world and, while they provide ideal conditions for fishing, surfing, sailing and sandboarding, they are just as popular with nature lovers and sunbathers seeking relaxation.

Explore Cape Le Grand and Cape Arid National Parks as well as the unique four wheel drive tours along the coast. Alternatively, wander amongst the spectacular wildflowers in season, or purchase a unique leather souvenir made from local shark and fish skin.

The Esperance region offers you the chance to escape to a paradise all of your own. The warm sun, fresh air and long stretches of isolated beach make this an ideal region to get away from it all.

Esperance Foreshore, Credit: Jayde Guest

Esperance boasts a variety of breathtaking attractions; national parks, pristine beaches, internationally significant wetlands, over 500kms of southern ocean coastline, highly productive agricultural land, and the Great Western Woodlands to the north.

Our region is booming, and so are the tourist experiences on offer - now really is the time to visit Esperance! Treat yourself to a scenic flight or helicopter ride over the pristine coastline and bubble-gum pink Lake Hillier, or cross our beautiful Esperance Bay to camp on Woody Island. Experience the laid-back ambience, and beer brewed from local grain, at Lucky Bay Brewery, and the unique craft gin flavoured with local botanicals at the Esperance Distillery. Visit Australia’s only fish leather producer – Mermaid Leather, and of course get a selfie with the kangaroos roaming Australia’s whitest beach at Lucky Bay - one for the bucket list.

I welcome you to Esperance, and hope you enjoy your time visiting here as much as I enjoy living here.

Ian Mickel Shire President

We welcome you to our home, and invite you to get out in the spectacular, varied natural environments on offer in our region.

The History of Esperance

During a gale in 1792, two French frigates on a mapping voyage of the Australian coast, took shelter off Observatory Point. The first ship to enter the bay was L’Esperance and so the bay was named. The archipelago was named after the second ship, Recherche.

Another early visitor to the area was Matthew Flinders, who anchored at Lucky Bay in 1802 during his voyage to chart the southern coast.

He named several landmarks including Thistle Cove. In 1841, Edward John Eyre met Captain Rossiter on his epic journey from Adelaide, aboard the French Whaler ‘Mississippi’ in a bay which later became known as Rossiter Bay. Middle Island, visited by Flinders in 1802, was later established as a base for sealers operating in the area.

The year 1863 saw the arrival of the first settlers, the Dempster brothers, who travelled overland from Northam with their families. The Dempster brothers drove sheep, cattle and horses from Northam to Esperance to take up the first land holding. Andrew Dempster was granted a lease of 100,000 acres in 1866.

With discovery of gold in Dundas, Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, Esperance began an incredible transformation in 1895. Fortune seekers from Australia and around the world began to flood into this sleepy little port on their way to the Goldfields.

By 1897, there were two newspapers, one brewery and four hotels. There were many rows of tents and the less fortunate slept on seaweed on the beach.

Development hopes next centred on farming the mallee country. Could this be made into a prosperous wheatbelt? Land was opened for selection in 1912 and nearly 60 farms were started. Progress was slow and hindered by severe drought in 1914/15. The next year, Professor John Patterson reported “... one half of the area contains too much salt for profitable farming”. The town, however, attracted enormous publicity in the early 1960s when American investors established large landholdings in the area. The success of their farming methods caused an influx of new farmers from all parts of Australia. This helped make Esperance the prosperous town it is today.

Lucky Bay, Credit: Tourism Australia

Things to See & Do

CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK

Located just under an hour’s drive from Esperance, Cape Le Grand National Park is among the best coastal scenery in Western Australia, with unbelievably white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and rugged coastline. This stunning area is ideal for swimming, surfing, fishing, bushwalking, and camping. Relax at the beaches and bays or hike Frenchman’s Peak with views over many islands. Entry $14 per car ($8 concession).

LUCKY BAY

For an experience to remember, meet the kangaroos at Lucky Bay. Here the kangaroos come right down onto the beach to sunbathe on the whitest sand in Australia. We ask that you do not feed the kangaroos.

GREAT OCEAN DRIVE

A 38km round trip featuring Rotary Lookout, Observatory Point, Twilight Cove and Australia’s first windfarm at Salmon Beach.

BANDY CREEK BOAT HARBOUR

The hub of the region’s commercial fishing industry and a great place to drop a line in if you’re keen to fish.

CANNERY ARTS CENTRE

A premier exhibition space located in Norseman Road with touring exhibitions, studios, and an art and crafts shop featuring local works that are for sale.

HELMS ARBORETUM

Located 17kms north of Esperance. Acres of a diverse range of botanical species with wildflowers (in season), picnic areas and trails.

MONJINGUP LAKE RESERVE

Located 14kms from Esperance. Beautiful bushland and lakes. Walking trails, barbeque, picnic areas, birdwatching and wildflowers (in season) available.

KEPWARI TRAIL / WOODY LAKE NATURE RESERVE

Walking trails, birdwatching, wildflowers (in season) and selfguided canoe trail available.

Kangaroo at Lucky Bay

Fourth Beach, along the Great Ocean Drive, Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Kepwari Walk Trail, Credit: Shire of Esperance

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Credit: Tourism Australia

ESPERANCE MUSEUM

Outstanding museum located on the corner of James and Dempster Streets. Exhibits include the worlds largest and most comprehensive Skylab and the Sanko Harvest displays (the largest diveable wreck off the Australian coast)

RECHERCHE ARCHIPELAGO (BAY OF ISLES)

100 pristine islands. A haven for an enormous variety of wildlife, as well as being a playground for holiday makers offering excellent diving, snorkelling, fishing and sailing. Fishing charters and island cruises available.

DEMPSTER HOMESTEAD

Built in 1867 this was the home of Esperance’s most famous pioneer family. It is privately owned but can be viewed from the road at 155 Dempster Street.

TOMMY WINDICH'S CULTURAL PRECINCT

Located on Hughes Road, at the entrance of the Southern Ports Authority, this is the burial place of the faithful friend and companion of early explorer, John Forrest.

MERMAID LEATHER

Fish skin leather factory tours and showroom at 6 Wood Street. Items for sale. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 2pm–5pm.

HISTORIC MUSEUM VILLAGE

Fascinating collection of historical buildings which house art, crafts, a café and the Esperance Visitor Centre.

WOODY ISLAND

Located 15kms from Esperance and boasting seasonal cruise access, a visitor centre, and kiosk and café. Swimming, snorkelling, fishing and bushwalking available here.

ESPERANCE STONEHENGE

Located along Merivale Road, this is a complete replica to scale of the original ‘Stonehenge’ in the UK.

ESPERANCE ART TRAIL

Offers visitors a chance to view artists’ work in private and public galleries. For more information, please call Esperance Community Arts on 9072 1158.

ESPERANCE MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK

The Esperance Mountain Bike Park boasts a 2km, 3km, 5km and 11km circuit. Located about 15kms from Esperance along the Esperance Norseman Highway, helmets are compulsory when using the circuits.

CINDY POOLE GLASS GALLERY

Glass Art inspired by surroundings and experiences. Visit the studio of one of the artisans responsible for the Whale Tail sculpture.

LAKE HILLIER

One of Esperance’s most famous tourist attractions. Surrounded by lush greenery and right next to the bright blue waters of the Indian Ocean, the pink bubble-gum coloured lake is truly remarkable and well protected. Lake Hillier is located off the coast of Cape Arid in a remote location which is difficult to access. You can reach Middle Island by air or sea. Regular scenic flights are available and seasonal boat charter services book out fast.

Woody Island, near Esperance, Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Esperance Museum, Credit: Esperance Museum

Esperance Stonehenge, Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Aerial view of Lake Hillier, Credit: Tourism Western Australia

The Condingup Loop

Experience a great day trip by taking the Merivale Road and heading to Cape Le Grand National Park. Your trip will endear you to the region, as you will see natural beauty that can only be imagined. Cape Le Grand is reputed to have some of the best beaches in the world and is easily accessible by 2WD vehicles. Lucky Bay has been scientifically proven the whitest beach in Australia by the CSIRO.

From Cape Le Grand, keep going east and stop at the Duke of Orleans Bay, where you can swim in the water at the famous Wharton Beach. The area is virtually untouched and well worth a visit. If you have a 4WD you can drive right up to the waters edge.

Continue on to Cape Arid National Park to experience nature at its best with wide sandy beaches and clear waters. Whale watching from the beach is a must, commencing from around June each year until early Summer.

Condingup is situated on Fisheries Road, which will either take you back to Esperance or on to Cape Arid. The history of this road is quite interesting, as it was only made in 1956 and was cut in to provide easier and more direct access for transporting salmon. The salmon was planned to be netted at Israelite Bay and then transported to a cannery that was to be built on the edge of Esperance. Although the cannery was never really used, the building remains today as the Esperance Cannery Arts Centre.

If you choose to travel eastwards to Cape Arid National Park you are in for a real treat. This part of Australia is well sought after by 4WD drivers, as you can drive out and onto the beach.

Frenchman Peak, Cape Le Grand National Park, Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Whales swimming, Cape Arid National Park Coastline, Credit: Tourism Western Australia

Duke of Orleans Bay, Esperance, Credit: Tourism Western Australia

One of the biggest drawcards for visitors to Esperance is the fact that the region is located in one of the last remaining environmental wonders of the world. The region abounds with wonderful national parks, beaches, wildlife and fantastic Western Australian fauna.

Fishing

The Esperance region boasts a stunning, pristine coastline. It’s little wonder then that fishing is so popular in the area.

The Esperance region offers great fishing for fishing enthusiasts wanting to haul in an impressive catch. Fish species that one can expect to catch here include salmon, salmon trout, gummy shark, flathead, herring, skippy, sand whiting, snook, gardie and groper. Cape Le Grand, Wharton Beach, Duke of Orleans Bay, Alexander Bay, Poison Creek, Cape Arid and Point Malcolm are just some of the hot spots to fish.

Rock fishing is particularly popular in the region; however, there are risks involved with this activity. Be sure to visit www.visitesperance.com/things-to-do/fishing for safety guidelines if you’re planning on rock fishing. Alternatively, drop into the Esperance Visitor Centre or Tatey’s Fishing World for more information on fishing in the region.

Esperance Jetty, Credit: Jayde Guest

Calendar of Events

JANUARY

• Australia Day Celebrations

MARCH

• Outta the Shed Car & Bike Show

• Esperance Cup

• Squash Tournament

• Deep Sea Fishing Classic

APRIL

• French week

SEPTEMBER

• Esperance Wildflower Show

OCTOBER

• Esperance Agricultural Show

DECEMBER

• Edge of the Bay Festival

• Christmas Pageant

• Carols by Candlelight

For the most up to date calendar of events and dates, go to www.visitesperance.com

LOCAL Markets

GROWERS MARKETS

Every second Saturday 9am to 11am at the Scout Hall on the Esplanade.

MUSEUM VILLAGE MARKETS

Every second Sunday 8:30am to 12:30pm at the Museum Village (plus extra weekends during the summer school holidays).

Credit: Dan Paris

Credit: Shire of Esperance

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We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together.

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This guest services room publication is compiled with the assistance of the Shire of Esperance and produced by John Batman Group, publishers of specialist room directories and magazines. John Batman Group and Just Brilliant Guides are trademarks of Frankie119 Pty Ltd.