Last Updated on 7 September 2024 by Ariana Svenson
If you are visiting Australia, you may have heard of the Great Ocean Drive. No, we are not talking about the most famous one which is the Great Ocean Road, which spans 400 kilometres (249 miles) from Torquay in Victoria to the South Australian border.
Western Australia has the Great Ocean Drive Esperance, a stunning 40-kilometer drive along the coast. It’s also sometimes known as the ‘Great Ocean Trail’.
You’ll see some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery, including beautiful beaches and small bays with crystal blue waters and soft white sand. You’ll also see beautiful rocky headlands, steep cliffs and even more fantastic views.
It has been selling itself as ‘Australia’s most beautiful stretch of road’! I guess you will have to go and see for yourself!
The Great Ocean Drive Esperance WA: The Route
The Great Ocean Drive Esperance starts East of the town. The starting point is the Cannery Arts Centre. You’ll drive West in a circular route through the Esplanade from:
- Section 1: Esperance to Fourth Beach
- Section 2: Fourth Beach to 11 Mile Beach
- Section 3: 11 Mile Beach back to Esperance
The drive can be completed in one hour, but there are over 20 stops you could make, not to mention going slowly to take in the sites.
There are hikes, surfing beaches, snorkelling destinations, major landmarks, attractions, and even whales to spot. You should at least set aside half a day, although a whole day would be beneficial to stop at some of the best stops we cover in this guide.
Note: If you’re interested in stunning driving routes, have you considered a road trip to Esperance? Some of the best options include Perth to Esperance and Albany to Esperance.
Map of the Great Ocean Drive Esperance
This is the best map of the Great Ocean Drive to print off and follow. Get your map here.
The Best Time to Do the Great Ocean Drive
Esperance is one of the best places to visit in Western Australia and is worth visiting at all times of year. However, the best Great Ocean Drive Esperance weather is during the spring, summer, and Autumn.
There’s pleasant weather, and you can enjoy the stops with good visibility without the beaches being too windswept or the weather turning.
Temperatures are mild to warm. In spring, you can also enjoy seeing some Western Australian wildflowers. These months are also great for wildlife spotting, whether seeing migrating whales off the coast in spring or spotting kangaroos relaxing on beaches like Lucky Bay.
During the summer, you can enjoy beach stops in fantastic weather, where the water will be turquoise crystal clear, and you can enjoy swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkelling.
Read more in our guide to the Best Time to Visit Western Australia.
Driving, Walking, or Cycling?
Although it’s called the ‘Great Ocean DRIVE Esperance,’ you can also walk or cycle part of the route.
Walking the entire 17km Great Ocean Road hike will take 6-8 hours. You can start the trail by cycling or walking the 10km to Twilight Beach.
A popular partial walking route is 6km long, starting just behind Esperance Surf Life Saving Club and going to the Pink Lake Lookout.
Cycling the Great Ocean Drive will take 2-3 hours.
Section 1: Esperance to Fourth Beach
This section covers the beaches at West Beach, Blue Haven Beach, Salmon Beach, and Fourth Beach. To get a great view, you should definitely visit Observatory Point.
This windy spot is excellent for wind and kite surfers, and the carpark view is special. Sunset over the Observatory Point is worth planning for.
Blue Haven is a double winner in our books. This sheltered beach provides safe swimming and is pet-friendly (dogs are allowed).
Jetty Headland
Jetty Headland is an excellent stop if you have kids. There’s a nature playground and plenty of coffee vans. You’ll have beautiful views of the Southern Coastline and some of the most stunning beaches, such as Esperance Jetty and the crystal clear sea.
Taylor Street Jetty
Taylor Street Jetty is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Esperance. It is popular for fishing for herring, whiting, and squid.
Dempster Head Lookout and Walk Trail
This is one of the most breathtaking views in Esperance. At certain times of year, you can also spot some beautiful wildflowers. The trail leading up to Dempster Head is relatively short but can be steep in places.
West Beach
West Beach is one of the best places on the Great Ocean Drive to catch waves. There are three different breaks, suitable for surfers of all levels. The beach’s natural lagoon is protected by a reef.
If you’re just viewing the beach, you’ll see some of Esperance’s most beautiful coastal landscapes and spot wildlife like dolphins and birds.
There are plenty of facilities here, making it a great stop, including toilets, picnic areas, and showers. If you’re travelling with your dog, the beach is also dog-friendly at certain times.
Coast Risk Warning: Remember, the entire South Coast is powerful and wild. This applies to all beaches mentioned in this post. This is a rugged wilderness area; you should always exercise caution when exploring or swimming. The perfect selfie is just not worth it! There are deaths along the entire South Coast each year due to people being swept off rocks, swimming accidents, and shark attacks. Be careful and sensible.
Salmon Beach + Salmon Beach Wind Farm
Salmon Beach gets its name from the seasonal salmon runs in the area. It’s an ideal place for swimming, perfect for young families or pets, and an excellent spot for fishing.
There’s also a decommissioned wind farm between West Beach and Salmon Beach that’s worth a look. There is now a single turbine still standing. This 1.6 km walk takes you through the turbine heritage walk trail to explore what is left of the wind farm.
Blue Haven Beach, Esperance + Hidden Ocean Pools
Blue Haven Beach is sheltered from the wind with rock faces on each side. It is named after its beautiful blue water.
You can access the beach via a winding staircase and enjoy swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. It’s also a good place for beachcombing and seeing some little fish species in the rock pools.
Fourth Beach
Fourth Beach is famous for its long stretch of soft white sand and crystal clear waters. It’s more under the radar than beaches like Twilight Beach and West Beach, where you can enjoy snorkelling and paddleboarding. Note that there are no lifeguards on duty.
The beach is beautiful and backed with dunes. If you visit during the early morning or late afternoon, there are some great photo opportunities!
Section 2: Fourth Beach to Eleven Mile Beach
This section of the Great Ocean Drive Esperance has several protected swimming holes. The locals always say Ten Mile Lagoon is best for snorkelling.
While out with your flippers, look out for the Leafy Sea Dragon, which dwells amongst the seaweed on the edge of rocks. The rocky shore creates a protected lagoon, making this a good spot for families with little kids to swim.
Other Popular spots in this section include Twilight Cove and Twilight Beach Esperance.
Twilight Cove and Twilight Beach
Twilight Beach (also known as Twilight Bay) has unbelievably clear water and beautiful white sand. It’s one of the best spots for swimming and snorkelling on the Great Ocean Road.
Dolphin Cove
Dolphin Cove is a hidden gem along the Coastline of Cape Le Grand National Park. It’s named Dolphin Cove because you might just spot a dolphin in the Bay. Your best chance of seeing dolphins is in the early morning or late afternoon.
The calm, shallow waters are ideal for swimming and perfect for families. It’s also one of the best spots on the Great Ocean Road for snorkelling, where you can see colourful fish and star fish.
Observatory Point
Observatory Point has amazing panoramic views of Twilight Beach and Esperance Bay. If you’re lucky and you visit in the right season (June-October) you may even spot some migrating whales!
Nine Mile Beach and Nine Mile Lagoon
Explore the rockpools and snorkelling, or if you’re an experienced surfer, try surfing one of the powerful breaks.
10 Mile Lagoon Esperance
10 Mile Lagoon is an excellent spot for swimming and fishing. From here, you can also access ‘Free Beach’, which is a nudist beach. Overlooking the lagoon is 10 Mile Wind Farm – Australia’s first commercial wind farm with stunning views.
Section 3: 11 Mile Beach Esperance
The final section of the Great Ocean Drive Esperance goes from Eleven Mile Beach to Esperance through picturesque farmland towards Pink Lake.
If you have time after the drive, visit the town of Esperance and experience all there is to do there, from the Esperance Museum to the local farmers market.
Eleven Mile Beach
Eleven Mile Beach is the perfect place to go for a paddle. It’s protected from the winds and strong waves that hit many of the other beaches in Esperance area. There are also some fantastic rock pools to explore, and you can even snorkel in them.
Pink Lake Lookout
Visiting Pink Lake is one of the best things to do in Esperance. Although the lake is no longer pink, you can still take in the amazing view and catch one of the best sunset spots in Esperance.
To get back to Esperance town, you can follow Pink Lake Road all the way back.
The Great Ocean Drive Esperance: Final Words
This is the most comprehensive guide to the stops you can make on the Great Ocean Road Esperance, available online! Hopefully, it will help you have an amazing day.
FAQs About the Great Ocean Drive Loop in Esperance
How long is the Great Ocean Drive in Esperance?
The Great Ocean Drive is 40km (25 miles) long, starting in the town of Esperance and looping around stunning coastlines, beautiful beaches, and lookout points.
Is Great Ocean Drive in Esperance worth it?
The Great Ocean Drive is one of the most popular things to do in Esperance. It’s well worth driving the route for the stunning scenery. Highlights include the idyllic Twilight Beach, the tranquil Blue Haven, and the strikingly pink waters of Lake Hillier, visible from lookout points.
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