Winter doesn’t seem like the ideal time to visit beaches. When temperatures fall below 15°C, all you want to do is bundle up and be cosy in bed. However, if you crave a little adventure when the weather gets cold, take a trip to Cape Le Grand National Park, located 40-45 minutes from Esperance.
Touching the coastline, eye-catching white sand and impossibly blue waters greet visitors who make the journey. Additionally, might even run into a kangaroo or two on the beach! Here’s all you need to know about this park and why you should visit it this winter.
Cape Le Grand National Park
While swimming is not high on the priority list for a winter getaway, if you wish to visit the turquoise sea, Lucky Bay is the place to go to. With 10-20 kangaroos chilling around the area, one can reserve a space at the campground for an unparalleled experience. Other beaches worth checking out are Hellfire Bay (We love the name, don’t you?) and Le Grand Beach. Try fishing or boating in these pristine waters in winter and perhaps plan a summer trip to swim or surf in the bay.
Once you’re settled in, consider hiking up one of the many bushwalking trails after bundling up. The Le Grand Coastal Trail offers brilliant views for over 15 km, connecting many of the national park‘s best spots, from Le Grand Beach to Rossiter Bay. Alternating blue seas and white beaches with granite outcrops, it is an endeavour worth attempting. Even shorter versions of the hike reveal gorgeous views, so attempt walks between the beaches for a wholesome experience.
If you don’t mind a bit of a steep hike, climbing to Frenchman Peak is worth it for the truly stunning views of the Recherche Archipelago from the top of the 262m hill. It takes about an hour each way, so if you start early, you should be ready to explore more once you’re done!
Getting there
The 32,000-hectare Cape Le Grand National Park is about 50km from Esperance; a perfect day trip for those already in the area. However, the journey from Perth (about 730km) will take about 8 hours via Albany Highway and Esperance. While it is a fair bit of a drive, we recommend a road trip down south this winter for a truly unique experience.
For more about the park and details on stays outside of the campgrounds, check out westernaustralia.com.
