Esperance & Margaret River
Trip duration: ~ 2000km, ~ 23h driving
Minimum: 7 days (5 days if you skip Esperance or Margaret River)
Recommended time: in 8-10 days
Best travel time: September to April (September to November for wildflowers & whale watching)
Highlights:
- Surf the Wave Rock in the middle of the Outback
- Meet kangaroos at Lucky Bay – Australias whitest beach
- Recherche Archipelago
- Fitzgerald River National Park
- Torndirrup National Park
- Great Southern forests
- Climbing the Gloucester Tree near Pemberton,
- Margaret River – Wine tastings & professional Surfing
Day 1: Perth – Wave Rock – Esperance (7:30h, 720km)
Discover Australias contrast between turquoise waters and rust-red granite formations on the journey from Perth to Lucky Bay. On the way you can visit Lesmurdie Falls, which are just a few kilometers from Perth. Halfway you will find the famous Wvae Rock: Surf on Western Australia’s biggest wave, in the middle of the outback. After exploring Wave Rock you can continue your trip to Esperance and Lucky Bay. On the way are some resting areas with toilets, perfect for camping!
Day 2: Lucky Bay in Cape le Grand Nationalpark
Hang around with kangaroos at Australia´s whitest beach ‚Lucky Bay‘ in Cape le Grand National Park (12$ per car). The best time to meet kangaroos on the beach is in the afternoon.
You can camp directly at Lucky Bay Campground, with camp kitchen, gas barbecue, picnic area, toilets & showers! (10$ pp; first come, first served basis).
Day 3: Lucky Bay – Esperance – Fitzgerald River National Park (3h, 270km)
You can visit Esperance and it´s really nice beaches, before you continue to Fitzgerald River NP. It is one of the largest and most botanically significant national parks in Australia, as it is one of the most flora-rich conservation areas and includes around 15 per cent of the state‘s plant species.
Visit the Cave Point viewing platform for it´s stunning views and the fantastic possibility for whale watching!
Day 4: Fitzgerald – Albany – Torndirrup NP – West Cape Howe NP (2.45h, 230km)
Torndirrup NP
Beatifull high cliffs and nice beaches
Shelley Beach at West Cape Howe Nationalpark
Shelley beach is great for swimming, snorkeling and fishing! You can even camp right on the beach (7$pp).
++Extra day: Stirling Range NP – Hiking to the peak of Bluff Knoll, WA’s highest mountain++
Day 5: West Cape Howe – William Bay – Valley of the Giants – Walpole (2h, 140km)
Green Pools & Elephant Cove at William Bay NP
Enjoy the turquoise waters and big stone formations that look like elephants.
Valley of the Giants: Tree Top Walk (adult: 19$, child: 9,50$)
Walking high up in the treetops and exploring the canopy of the magnificent tingle forest is a breathtaking experience. The highest point is 60 meters.
Walpole
The Walpole Wilderness Area is an ancient forest with ancient Karri and Giant Tingle Trees.