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The Ultimate 6-Day Perth to Esperance Itinerary – EPIC Road Trip Guide

Last Updated on 13 October 2024 by Ariana Svenson

If you search Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary on the web, you will come up with a range of options. 

Our 6 day Perth to Esperance itinerary is designed by Western Australians and takes you on the Perth to Esperance route via Wave Rock / Hyden. Once you are on the southern coast our itinerary explains how to get the best out of the Esperance beaches – by the way there are also dog friendly beaches in Esperance!

albany beach

Our Perth to Esperance via Wave Rock itinerary focuses on reasonable-length driving days and is also set up in one spot for a couple of days so that you can get to know a place.  This is because, as family travelers, we like to set down roots and experience things a little more deeply. 

Alternatively, if you are a slow traveler or looking for a pet-friendly itinerary, then this Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary will work for you.

kangoroo at beautiful paradise beach
Visiting the kangaroos in Lucky Bay are on everyone’s bucket list!

This is a stunningly beautiful route!  We also love that you can do the Esperance-Perth itinerary as a loop continuing onto Bremer Bay, then Albany, which we describe at the spectacular Albany to Esperance Road Trip guide. That means that if you are hiring a car, you don’t have to backtrack.

The minimum you need for the Perth Esperance road trip is 5 days.  However, we would recommend more like 10 to 12 days if you like to explore the places you stop at, as well as relax along the way. If you are looking for places to stay in Esperance, read our guide about the best accommodations!

If you are interested in combining an Esperance trip with a South Coast itinerary, please check out our Margaret River to Albany Road Trip guide. The Margaret River region is great to explore too! Besides, there are many amazing things to do in Pemberton.

If you’re up for some exciting Perth weekend getaways, check out our blog post for more ideas to get inspired!

Disclosure: Through my site there are links to affiliates, which means that I might receive commission if you buy something after clicking them. This costs you no more, and you definitely don’t pay extra. However, I do get a small amount which contributes to the upkeep of this blog. Thanks so much for all of your support. We hope you have a ball in Western Australia!
beautiful twilight beach in esperance, australia
Beautiful Twilight Beach Esperance

Some Tips to Have the Best Perth to Esperance Drive

Everyone is Individual

It takes all types to make the world so rich and wonderful.  So please have a read of our Perth Esperance loop and then adapt it to your needs and interests.  

If you have loads of time – or are traveling without kids – then you will be able to do some of the longer hikes.  In short, use our Esperance road trip guide as a foundation for your own adventure!

Get a Western Australia National Parks Pass

You will probably visit a lot of National Parks during this trip!  So, it makes sense to buy a National Parks Pass.

Each National Park costs $13 for a car, but we strongly recommend looking at the Holiday passes.  You can check the current pricing here.

  • 5-Day –  Unlimited entry to any WA park for up to 5 (five) days.
  • 14 Day –  Unlimited entry to any WA park for up to 2 (two) weeks.
  • 1 Month – Unlimited entry to any WA park for up to 4 (four) weeks.

Go Slow if You Can

When I think of a road trip, I think of traveling from A to B. Of course, you can use our guide here like that.  However, if you can, get off the beaten track and explore – the Esperance region offers plenty of wonderful adventures.

Observatory Point Beaches in Esperance Western Australia

Don’t rely on phone reception 

Once you get outside the towns, and off the main roads, mobile reception is patchy at best,  non-existent in other places.  Make sure you download maps in advance!  

Be prepared for all seasons 

Located on the South Coast,  Esperance usually has much milder weather conditions than Perth, so  though the summer days are often hot, it can become cold overnight and in the Early morning in Esperance. Pack some warm clothing no matter the time of year!

Use our experiences as a guide, but definitely not as the ‘definitive guide.’

Is Esperance Worth Visiting?

Even though Esperance is an 8 hour drive from Perth (or a gorgeous road trip around the South West corner); it has some completely unique, rugged scenery that you can experience in few places around the world.  So,  100% Esperance is worth vistiing. 

Think about fine white sands, turquoise waters, bubblegum Pink Lake Hillier,  a replica stonehenge … and kangaroos on the beach.  Yes,  its totally worth visiting.  

beautiful beach in esperance region

Esperance’s attractions do centre around the outdoors, and the beaches, so if the weather is bad, rainy or even with storms you are not going to have a lot to do. We’d plan your trip to Esperance for when the forecast is clear and sunny.  

What is the best time to visit Esperance?

Esperance is located a long way south of Perth, so the weather in Esperance is generally quite a lot cooler than Perth. 

Summer is the best time to visit, as even then the water is very cool (or Cold!) and so refreshing swims are best when you can dry in the sun. 

Lucky Bay western Australia beaches

That said, Esperance is a very popular Western Australian holiday spot, and its much busier than usual from Boxing Day through to the end of January, so if you want a bit more of the sleepy vibe, then avoid the WA school holidays.   (The same applies to Easter breaks!) 

 April is generally the calmest month of the year (eg with the least wind)  and a beautiful month on the south Coast.  

Overall we think that the best time to visit Esperance is from October through May.

The Stops – Perth to Esperance Road Trip Itinerary

While there are so many different things to see in do along the Perth to Esperance road trip via Wave Rock, this is the best of the best. 

As with most itineraries, there are several different options you can take.  However, we have tried to lay it out so it makes sense as a return trip from Perth to Esperance and back that includes all the highlights and not-to-miss places.

kids posing in front of wave rock formation
My daughter dwarfed by Wave Rock

Day 1 of Your Perth to Esperance Itinerary

Perth to Wave Rock and Hyden

Total driving time: 4 hours (332 km)

Today you head into Western Australia’s Wheatbelt.  It is known for growing vast crops of wheat – but also canola which when is flower offers beautiful yellow fields, and lupins, which are purple when in flower.

Your first stop should be York, the oldest inland town in Western Australia and 97 kilometres east of Perth. There is a nice historical feel, and it makes a good stop for a coffee.  I really like York as a weekend getaway and if you’ve already spent time in the Avon Valley you will want to press on.  

As you continue on through the Wheatbelt, head to the most fun open-air art installation in all of Western Australia!  The Tin Horse Highway near Kulin features over 70 tin horses of all sizes, shapes, and poses along the edge of the highway. 

Choose your favourites and stop for a selfie or two.  But, on the other hand, don’t spend all day taking selfies on the Tin Horse Highway. You want to make sure you have enough time to explore Wave Rock!

man with umbrella stand in front of wave rock

Today’s drive is a 4-hour drive. We’d go down the Tin Horse Highway at Kulin before settling into your accommodation at Wave Rock.  This is so that there is time to do a walk to Wave Rock and the Hippos Yawn. 

Make sure you don’t miss seeing Wave Rock at sunset.  Also, consider soaking in the salty springs at Lake Magic.  Here is our full rundown on the best things to do in Wave Rock.

Interested in learning more about Wave Rock, check out our Wave Rocks for Kids Facts.

Day 2 – Hyden / Wave Rock to Esperance

Total driving time: 4 hours (382  km)

Today, you will embark on the second leg of the Perth to Esperance via Wave Rock road trip. 

Heading from Hyden South, you have two options. 

From Hyden to Lake King, Via the Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve and Newdegate is about 1 hours and 50 minutes driving over some back roads.  (Down forget to download the maps because mobile reception is spotty in these areas.) 

If you head to Newdegate its because you want to experience part of Western Australia’s largest Art Gallery, the PUBLIC Silo Trail.  Dotted around Western Australia are grain silos transformed into truly incredible attractions, and Newdegate is one of the lucky towns to have them.

The Newdegate Grain Silos feature the Red Tailed Phascogale, the Western Bearded dragon, and the Malleefowl, which you can actually visit in nearby Ongerup. 

If you drive directly on the best road Hyden to Lake King is about 1 hour 20 minutes of driving time. 

Rock Waves
Wave Rock Australia

The main thing to do when you arrive is the fascinating Lake King Causeway.  This drive is 10km long and takes you through an incredible landscape of salt lakes interspersed with scrub.

Lake King to Ravensthorpe is the next leg of the Wave Rock to Esperance road trip.  It’s not even another hour’s drive (it takes about 45 minutes).  You have a great incentive drooling about the Yummylicious Candy Shack that is in Ravensthorpe. 

It has chocolate, milkshakes, American-style hot dogs, soft-serve ice cream, 12 flavours of Norgen Vaaz ice cream, Italian coffee, and herbal teas.  Oh, and not to mention – another selfie opportunity with the giant lollypop!

The Ravensthorpe CBH Grain Silos are also part of the PUBLIC Silo Trail, and were painted in 2016 by Amok Island.  These silos are probably my personal favorites, depicting the “Six stages of Banksia Baxteri’ with all sides of the silos painted sharing a different stage of the flowering cycle, eg from flower buds right through to opening.  Also on the silos are the two main pollinators for this plant, the Honey Possum and the New Holland Honey eater. 

landscape around wafe rock, perth to esperance itinerary

Ravensthorpe is right on the doorstep of the Fitzgerald River National Park.  However, on this particular road trip, we are heading to Esperance and will double back to “the Fitz” (as locals call it) on our way towards Albany.

Don’t forget to keep your eye out for the Malleefowl as you head on through Munglinup (pronounced Mun-gli-nup!) before finally you reach the objective of your road trip: Esperance, Western Australia.

We will base ourselves in Esperance for the next 2 nights to give you plenty of time to explore. Check out our blog posts on things to do in Esperance and best accommodations in Esperance for more travel inspiration. 

On your first night, you might like to explore one of Esperance’s ‘closer to town’ attractions, like Twilight Bay is just 10 minutes out of Esperance and a perfect little beach to get started. 

All around Western Australia, we highly recommend dropping into the local visitor centre (also known as the tourist bureau) to get up-to-date advice.

Our two top picks for Esperance Accommodation (for families)

Esperance Chalet Village 

Nestled amongst nature a bit out of town this village is a secluded and stylish holiday hideaway… check out the pics.

Check prices and availability of Esperance Chalet Village on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability of Esperance Chalet Village on Expedia.com
Check prices and availability of Esperance Chalet Village on Booking.com

esperance paradise beach

Esperance Island View Apartments

Located right on the Esperance Foreshore, these self-contained, modern, clean, crisp apartments are a great option for families with a large balcony or courtyard.

Check prices and availability of Esperance Island View Apartments on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability of Esperance Island View Apartments on Expedia.com

esperance town

Esperance Visitor Centre

Things always change, and the best source of information in any small town is the visitor centre.  We highly recommend dropping into the Esperance Visitor Centre when you arrive to get a local’s tips on what to see and do.

What Makes the Pink Lake Esperance … Pink?
Or hot pink, blush, coral, fuchsia, rose … however you see it.  Pink Lake is also 10 minutes out of Esperance though you might want to read the reviews before you go!

As I mentioned above, if you read the reviews, the Pink Lake just outside of Esperance is, in fact, not pink. 

It is apparently a pretty enough lake, but an official sign that has been put up at the lake edge explains that due to a reduction in salt levels, the Esperance Pink Lake is not expected to turn pink anytime in the near future. 

The Pink Lake was caused by tiny algae-producing bacteria that, in turn, caused the color.

Esperance Beaches, pink lake from above
Pink Lake Esperance

But… I am sure I have seen photos of a bubble-gum Pink Lake around Esperance?

Yes, you have.  Lake Hillier is located on Middle Island, about 130 kilometres (70 miles) from Esperance.  You can visit this lake by boat, but the best way to get a great view is through a scenic flight. 

As you can see from the photos, the way that the bright pink stands out next to the dark blue of the ocean is fabulous.

An exciting idea is to take a helicopter to the island and explore the camp ruins left by Australia’s only known pirate, Black Jack Anderson!  Then you can go and get a closer look at this lake, but not too close as they are trying to minimize human impact.

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map of beaches in esperance, western australia

Day 3 – Explore the Esperance Beaches & Cape Le Grande National Park

You don’t get a more iconic Australian Instagram photo than a pic of a kangaroo on a white beach at Lucky Bay Esperance.  However, there is a lot more to the Esperance Beaches than simply Lucky Bay.

  We can sum it up with the name “Cape Le Grande National Park.”  The beaches mentioned in this article – Lucky Bay, Rossiter’s Bay, Hellfire Bay, and– are all part of Cape Le Grand National Park. While the Duke of Orleans Bay is in the next national park which is Cape Arid National Park

There are parks and wildlife campgrounds at Le Grand Beach and Lucky Bay that have gas barbecues, picnic tables, toilets, and water.  Don’t forget- take your rubbish with you when you leave the park.

Also, if you are exploring the stunning beaches, make sure to read our post about the best Esperance Beaches (including Lucky Bay). Here you will find detailed information on all the Esperance Beaches.

Also be aware that lots of WA locals now find that Lucky Bay has been over run with instagrammers and the like, and its anything but a remote, isolated beach. If you are looking for a remote experience you might want to consider one of the other beaches.

blue water with white sand
Picture Perfect Duke of Orleans Bay

Cape Arid National Park is located on the shore – offshore is the fabulously named Recherche Archipelago. (pronounced Reh-Share-SHAY!) 

Western Australians will be familiar with the name Israelite Bay, which is always mentioned on the local weather reports! 

The western end of Cape Arid National is the Duke of Orleans Bay, which we have listed as one of the Best Beaches In Western Australia.

So the Esperance beaches are probably a large part of why you took this trip. 

Perhaps you didn’t know that the best beaches in Esperance, especially the “famous” one with the kangaroos on white sand, photographed alongside turquoise waters, are actually one hour’s drive from Esperance town.

Yes, it is true that some of Western Australia’s best strips of white sand are found in Esperance.

esperance bay, best time to visit western australia
Great Ocean Drive Esperance, coming into Twilight Bay

What is the Great Ocean Drive Esperance?

If you are visiting Australia, chances are you have heard of the Great Ocean Drive.  Well, the most famous one is the Great Ocean Road, which spans 400 kilometres (249 miles) from Torquay in Victoria to the South Australian border.

In Western Australia, we have the Great Ocean Drive, which is a stunning 40-kilometer drive along the coast.  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 only takes an hour or two to complete if you don’t spend too much time soaking on the sand.   Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the local tourist brochures that give you all the info that you will need. 

great ocean drive flyer
Great Ocean Drive Brochure, Esperance

Coast Risk Warning!

Remember the entire South Coast is powerful and wild.  This is a rugged wilderness area and 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.

11 mile beach esperance with beautiful white sand and blue water
11 Mile Beach Esperance

Getting around the Esperance Beaches – Cape Le Grande National Park 

Esperance to Lucky Bay is about 1 hour’s drive.  Rossiter’s Bay, considered by many to be just as beautiful as Lucky Bay, is just a short distance from Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grande National Park. 

Don’t feed the kangaroos at Lucky Bay! They are native animals, and whatever you have in your car is not going to be good for them.  Full stop.

If you are an Instagrammer you will want to head to Hellfire Bay, one of those truly stunning places that always pops up on the ‘gram.

For those that are into a good hike, near Lucky Bay and Rossiter’s Bay is Frenchman Peak.  While the hike is only 2.5 km, it is pretty steep and takes 1-2 hours, depending on fitness. 

At the top of Frenchman Peak, you get uninterrupted 360-degree views of the surrounding beaches!  This is a hike well worth doing if you feel like a good workout.

From Lucky Bay to Duke of Orleans Bay is another 1-hour drive.  But then it’s a 1-hour drive directly back to Esperance, or you could stop for dinner at the Condingup Pub

Known as locals and those who spend some time around Esperance as THE Condy!  So all up there is about 3-4 hours driving to explore several beaches during one day’s trip.

beautiful beach in australia, esperance
View of Hellfire Bay with Drone

Getting around the Esperance Beaches – Cape  Arid National Park 

Many people say that the Duke of Orleans Bay is the best of the Esperance Beaches.  It certainly gives Lucky Bay a run for its money (no kangaroos, though).  Others think that Wharton Beach tops them all.  I guess you will just have to go and decide for yourself!

If you would like to camp out at this end of the Esperance beaches, then you can stay at the Duke of Orleans Bay Caravan Park, which has camping spots and cabins.  There is no Wi-Fi signal and it feels like a real escape!

Alternatively, you could spend one day around Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay and then another day out at Duke of Orleans Bay.  It all depends on how long you have in your Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary.

blue water with white sand
Picture Perfect Duke of Orleans Bay

If you have time, we would add 1-2 days into the Esperance itinerary here, especially as there are a number of family-friendly things to do around Esperance town itself.

Don’t forget to stop into the Lucky Bay Brewing Company, housed in a large shed on the way to Wylie Bay.

Day 4 of Your Esperance Itinerary – Esperance to Bremer Bay or Hopetoun

Today you have two options on your Perth to Esperance road trip.  Where you decide to stay will depend on the amount of time you have to explore and your accommodation options.

Have a look at our information about visiting the Fitzgerald National Park – or look at a map.  You will see that Hopetoun and Bremer Bay towns are located on either side of the massive National Park that runs along the coast.  Talk about a wild and rugged National Park!

kid playing on playground

Ravensthorpe Western Australia

En Route between Esperance and Hopetoun is Ravensthorpe.

Yummylicious Candy Shack – Ravensthorpe

We’ve mentioned the Yummylicious Candy Shack in Ravensthorpe before.  When you were on the Perth Esperance leg of your journey – now you are on the return journey (Esperance to Perth), and we will mention it again for good measure!

Stop in and experience an old-fashioned lolly shop  – or indulge in their chocolate, milkshakes, American Style hot dogs, soft-serve ice cream, 12 flavours of Norgen Vaaz ice cream, Italian coffee, and herbal teas!

green sign of Ravensthorpe on the road
Ravensthorpe Western Australia

The Ravensthorpe Farm Gate Art Trail

Showing the best of rural ingenuity, there are a total of 36 art installations between Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun, and they range from tiny to absolutely massive!  Look out for a bull named El Pa Bull Caso. 

A field bin has been converted to The Watering Can, and some other old tyres, bits and pieces are titled “Hooty Owl.”  A daddy longlegs spider dubbed “Inksy” made from scrap metal stands guard in front of his Hills Hoist Web!

These wild imaginings made from discarded machinery and scrap metal were a project to have locals tap into their creative side – especially men, who can be isolated in these vast farming areas. 

The result is a great tourist attraction that should soon have an interactive Google map.  In the meantime head to the Ravensthorpe Farm Gate Art Trail Facebook Page for more information!

lookout of Fitzgerald River National park
“The Fitz” – Fitzgerald River National park

Option One – Stay in Hopetoun

Esperance to Hopetoun is 2.5 hours.

While Esperance has a port and a thriving agricultural industry, Hopetoun really is a beach resort town that has been blessed with the same pristine white sand beaches you see over at Esperance. 

Hopetoun is therefore known for its surfing, swimming, and fishing, and long lazy days in the sun!

One of the best things about Hopetoun is that it is a ten-minute drive from the entrance to Fitzgerald River National Park.  From here, you can easily access the western side of the Park. 

One of the main attractions here is a climb of East Mt Barren.  Keep in mind this hike is for the fit who are looking to be rewarded with amazing views.  For those less active, you can easily visit Barren’s Beach or drive to the beach (at least to where the bitumen ends).

albany beach

Where To Stay In Hopetoun

Hopetoun Motel & Chalet Village

If self-catering chalets are more your speed, then perhaps the Hopetoun Motel & Chalet Village is what you are looking for.  Located in the heart of Hopetoun, they offer everything from standard hotel accommodations to private chalets. 

Have a look here for the latest prices for Hopetoun Motel & Chalet on Booking.com
Have a look here for the latest prices for Hopetoun Motel & Chalet on Expedia.com
Have a look here for the latest prices for Hopetoun Motel & Chalet on Agoda.com

kids playing at bremer bay

Hopetoun Caravan Park

Like many of the other caravan parks in the Esperance region, Hopetoun Caravan Park is old-fashioned and pretty rustic, with campsites underneath the beach paperbarks. 

Check here for more information and rates to stay at Hopetoun Caravan Park.

En Route Between Hopetoun and Bremer Bay

Yongergnow Australian Malleefowl Centre

If you love birds, at Jerramungup you could make a detour out to Ongerup and the Yongergnow Australian Malleefowl Centre.  

This little-known centre focuses on the endangered malleefowl of the region, and you can see this amazing bird in a 1,200m2 natural habitat aviary. 

You can eat at the Fowl Play Café, explore the centre’s world-class Fowl Play Mallee exhibition or explore the beautiful bush and wildflowers on the centre’s walk trails. 

Yongergnow has a gallery that displays regular art exhibitions, and local products and souvenirs are available.

kid running at sunset beach on the bremer beachers
Sunset on the Bremer Beaches

Option Two – Stay in Bremer Bay

Esperance to Bremer Bay is 4 hours.

What To Do In Bremer Bay

Bremer Bay Orca (Killer Whale) Tour

One of the most popular things to do is a Bremer Bay Orca (killer whale) tour, which departs from January through to April.  You may see species like Southern Right Whales, Mink Whales and even Blue Whales.

This is a 7-8 hour tour out to a deep-sea place known as the ‘Patch’, which is a reliable food source of squid and Beaked Whales for the Killers Whales during the summer months.

whale sculpture in albany

When doing this Whale watching tour, be prepared for seasickness.  The trip out to the Patch takes one hour, and you are in the deep sea. 

Good operators plan to spend quality time with the Orca and our priority during the tours is to observe the behavior and not influence behavior.  The intention is to spend about 4-5 hours around the Orca feeding or with different family pods.

It is important that your whale watch operator makes sure they do not have a negative impact by spending too long with the Killer Whales as they hunt, socialize, and rest in their home waters.

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Where To Stay In Bremer Bay WA

We love Bremer Bay for a short getaway, though there is not a wide variety of accommodations. In Bremer Bay, there are two Caravan Parks.

bremer bay landscape

Bremer Bay Beaches Resort & Tourist Park 

Just out of town the Bremer Bay Beaches Resort is located just out of town on Point Henry Road, which makes it easy to get to the beaches on Point Henry. 

It has a lovely location in a peppermint grove with plenty of kid-friendly facilities.  If you are not camping, then the Bremer Bay Beaches Resort also have self-contained cottages. 

More information and rates for Bremer Bay Resort on Booking.com
More information and rates for Bremer Bay Resort on Agoda.com
More information and rates for Bremer Bay Resort on Expedia.com

Bremer Bay Caravan & Camping Park 

Bremer Bay Caravan and Camping Park is  Located right in town, near the popular John Cove, the Bremer Bay Caravan Park is very large and has plenty of facilities. 

You can walk from here or into town, and it makes a great base for your Bremer Bay exploration. 

Check here for more information for Bremer Bay Caravan & Camping Park.

Fitzgerald River National Park
Fitzgerald River National Park

Fitzgerald River National Park

People who love national parks all agree the Fitzgerald River is definitely one of the best parks in Western Australia. 

With over 20% of Western Australia’s flora species, this biodiversity hotspot also has some truly amazing beaches, rocky, jagged peaks, and a truly windswept, isolated coastline.

During your Perth to Esperance road trip, you simply must not miss visiting the Fitzgerald River National Park

A road trip to Fitzgerald River will always wow you as the scenery is out of this world.  With the out-of-the-way location, expect to have the place almost entirely to yourself (apart from peak periods), so pack a towel, some sunscreen, your hiking boots, and some camping gear and enjoy this slice of paradise.

boy walking along a path, fitzgerald

Even if you don’t want to take a whale-watching tour from Bremer Bay, you can still see whales from the coast.  One popular park and wildlife camp is at Point Ann, which happens to be a spectacular place for whale watching.

Quaalup Homestead

If you are looking for a unique, off-the-beaten-track place to stay, then you should consider Quaalup Homestead.

Rustic and basic, the Quaalup Homestead is located a long way from anywhere and is an off-grid solar experience.  There are no generators and certainly no phone signal or Wi-Fi.

Drinking water is limited. Out here, you can really connect with nature, and you need to be largely self-sufficient.

Unless you select the fully catered option, you should take all your own food to prepare and also fill up your car.

There are several short walks around Quaalup Homestead for you to experience the local area. 

Check here for more information and rates to stay at Quaalup Homestead

people walking along granite skywalk
Granite Skywalk, Porongorup National Park

Day 5 – Heading Towards Albany

If you stayed in Hopetoun the night before, you have more driving today than if you stayed in Bremer Bay.  This gives you an idea of driving times:

Hopetoun to the Granite Skywalk 3 hours’ drive (300km) / Bremer Bay to Granite Skywalk 1.5 hours (138 km)

OR

Hopetoun to Two Peoples Bay 3 hours 15/308km / Bremer Bay to Two Peoples Bay 1.5 hours (155 km)

From the Granite Skywalk into Albany/ or Two Peoples Bay into Albany are both about 30 30-minute drive.

Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock, Porongurup National Park

We love climbing the Granite Skywalk at Castle Rock.  It is an extremely unique structure that is quite out of this world!  If you don’t like heights, it definitely is a challenge to get up the ladder to the top of this incredible lookout.  Our full Guide to the Granite Skywalk is found here.

You could also make a detour to Mt Barker if tasting some wines takes your fancy. The Plantagenet wine region is well known amongst wine lovers. 

We’ve covered everything there is to do at Things to do in Mt. Barker WA.

Stop at world Famous Two People’s Bay for the night and enjoy some of the nightlife of Albany.

boy playing in albany

Day 6 – Esperance to Perth Road Trip 

Visit Torndirrup National Park and the Gap before driving from Albany to Perth.

Today’s drive from Albany to Perth is about 5 hours. This means you have a couple of hours in the morning to explore overlooked Albany. 

There is so much to do and see in Albany you could definitely allow a day – or much more.  we cover it all in our post Things to do in Albany Western Australia.

albanu beach

To cap off a really powerful and rugged Perth to Esperance Road trip, we would highly recommend a visit to the Torndirrup National Park, which offers some different coastal experiences. 

The most popular of these are “The Gap” and the Natural Bridge.  Spectacular structures are designed so you fully feel the power of the ocean and appreciate how the movement of the ocean has worn away the granite. 

You can really feel the age of the coast here.  It was formed up to 1800 million years ago when the supercontinent Gondwana broke away.

After a visit to Torndirrup National Park, it’s time to wind up your epic Esperance loop by heading back to Perth, following our  Perth to Albany Road trip.

If you are looking for things to do during the drive from Albany to Perth, please refer to that section in our Margaret River to Albany Road Trip guide.

stonehenge in western australia
Stonehenge, Esperance Western Australia

Other Ways to Travel from Perth to Esperance

As we mentioned at the beginning of our post, the Esperance to Perth itinerary is perfect because it is a loop, and you can hire your car in Perth and drop it off in the same place.  However, there are other ways to do a Perth to Esperance drive.

esperance town from far

Flights from Perth to Esperance

Rex flies from Esperance to Perth 2 to 3 times a day, depending on the season.  The flight takes just 1 hour and 35 minutes, which is a lot quicker than the 8-hour driving time! 

man posing in front of albany airport entrance

Perth to Esperance Bus Routes

There is a Trans WA bus that travels through many Wheatbelt towns to Esperance 3 times a week. The route takes around 10 hours and is an affordable way to travel to Esperance.

You would have to do research into a backpackers ‘hop-on, hop-off style bus. The Busy Blue Bus based in Albany does provide transport options from Albany to Bremer Bay.

Looking for Some Great Esperance Accommodation Options?

If you are making your way to or from Esperance, then inevitably, you are wondering what the accommodation Esperance WA scene is like.  If camping is not for you, then check out our Esperance Travel Guide to the best things to do in Esperance, which includes accommodation recommendations.

We include tons of information about the Esperance Caravan Park, pet-friendly accommodations in Esperance, and many of the top things to do in Esperance, WA.

father with kid sitting in front of the sea

The Verdict – An Awesome Perth to Wave Rock Road Trip 

If you are looking to get out and experience Western Australia at its finest, then a Perth to Esperance road trip via Wave Rock is a great way to do it. 

This is remote and rugged Australia, with plenty of wheat fields, white sand beaches, and turquoise water.  And… don’t forget the ‘roos on the beaches!

family in the sea in albany, western australia

We hope that our Perth Esperance itinerary (and the Wave Rock To Esperance information)  has given you sufficient structure to work out where and how you want to spend your time! 

Our tip is to make sure you allow enough time for the Esperance Beaches!  They are really a once-in-a-lifetime place to visit! 

Thanks for joining us on our journey to Esperance, Western Australia.  If you have any other tips or ideas, please drop them in the comments below.

Like It> Pin It> An Awesome Perth to Esperance Road Trip &  Wave rock to Esperance 

An Awesome Perth to Esperance Road Trip and Esperance Beaches

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