Long stretches of soft white sand, crystal clear turquoise water and hardly a soul in sight. If this sounds like your ideal beach holiday destination, then the pretty Western Australian town of Esperance should be high on your list of places to visit.
Esperance and its surrounds are highly regarded as both a tourist destination and a place of beauty and also the recipient of a number of awards and titles.
Nearby secluded Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park holds claim to the title of the ‘whitest beach in Australia’ and is surrounded by pristine national park. The town of Esperance itself was described as ‘insanely beautiful’ by Australian Traveller Magazine and listed as the second best town in Australia, narrowly missing out to Yamba in New South Wales.
So what’s all the fuss about?
It’s quite simple really, Esperance is located on a remote part of what can only be described as some of the most beautiful coastline in Western Australia or indeed Australia itself, and although it is a popular beach holiday destination, it has managed to avoid commercialisation and maintains its relaxed, small town feel.
The plentiful beaches in and around Esperance all provide something different to visitors. Some are easily accessible and great for families and surfers, while others are only accessible by 4WD or foot, but those who put in the effort to reach them are likely to be rewarded with solitude.
Although the beautiful beaches and coastline are the main attraction, there are plenty of other things to do and see in Esperance. Fishing, 4WDing, bushwalking and cycling are popular with plenty of choices for places to do them. Esperance also has a rich Aboriginal history dating back 20,000 years, and there is ample evidence of their habitation in the surrounding national parks to explore.
There is a thriving arts community in Esperance which has given rise to a great range of studios and galleries including Mermaid Leather, Australia’s only specialist fish and shark leather tannery. A visit to the Mermaid Leather studio to feel the buttery soft barramundi and snapper leather and the more robust shark leather is a unique Esperance only experience.
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Looking for accommodation in Esperance?
Choice Hotels Comfort Inn Bay of Isles boasts four star Esperance accommodation with a range of room types to suit all types of travellers. All rooms are spacious and well appointed and family rooms also feature a kitchenette. The hotel has a swimming pool and restaurant and is located only a short walk from the Esperance town centre.
