Esperance Bay of Isles

Esperance WA 6450 (Pop 10 000)

Esperance is a beautiful coastal town surrounded by stunning scenery and a number of WA’s premier national parks. Located 741 km s-e of Perth, the area was first settled by whalers, sealers and early pastoralists in 1860s. Esperance was established in 1893 as a port for the Coolgardie goldfields but this was shortlived as the railway bypassed the town. Local research in 1950s discovered the addition of trace elements to the soil resulted in greater fertility resulting in successful cattle, sheep and wheat farming. Offshore Angling Classic (Feb), Wildflower Show (Sept), Agricultural Show (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Esperance Museum, James St exceptional regional museum featuring pioneering memorabilia, shipwreck items, US Sky Lab pieces which crashed to earth in 1979, Aboriginal artefacts & antique musical instruments. Open (1.30pm-4.30pm) daily. Dempster Homestead, Dempster St (1863) National Estate listed and restored private property - can be viewed from street. Tanker Jetty, Dempster St good fishing. Museum Village, Dempster St historic buildings and visitor centre. Open (8.45am-5pm) weekdays and (9am-5pm) weekends. Cannery Arts Centre, Norseman Rd local and visiting exhibitions. Aquarium, The Esplanade.

Nearby:
Rotary Lookout (2 km west) stunning, town, bay and ocean views. Pink Lake (5 km west) pink hued salt lake. Twilight Cove (12 km west) safe swimming. Observatory Point and Lookout (17 km west) excellent bay and island views. Helms Arboretum (18 km north) pines and native flowering shrubs. Monjingup Lake Reserve (20 km west) scenic bushland with walking trails, recreational facilities, spring wildflowers and birdwatching. Dalyup River Wines (42 km west) region’s only winery. Westwind Windmills (18 km west) Australia’s first wind farm located in WA’s 2^nd windiest area. Cape Le Grand National Park (56 km east) 31 000 ha park of idyllic beaches & bays, rugged coastline and headlands and coastal walking trails. Mt Le Grand (345 m) is the tallest peak surrounded by eroded caves and tunnels. Frenchmans Peak (262 m) offers breathtaking views. Camping at Cape Le Grand Beach and Lucky Bay. Swimming, fishing and boating amongst popular pursuits. Recherche Archipelago series of 110 offshore islands providing a haven for seals & sea lions and offering excellent sailing, diving and snorkelling opportunities. Daily cruises. Stokes Inlet NP (80 km west) 10 000 ha of superb coastal scenery and great fishing and swimming beaches. Birdwatching, canoeing and camping popular activities. Peak Charles NP (100 km north) focuses on two ancient peaks (Charles & Eleanora) surrounding salt lakes, sandplains and heathlands. Camping allowed, but no facilities. Cape Arid National Park (120 km east) remote park covering 280 000 ha of granite outcrops, clay flats, sandy beaches and stunning coastal scenery. Numerous walking trails, 4WD tracks and bird and whalewatching.

Accommodation:
Esperance has several motels, a couple of hotels, a resort, 5 B&Bs, holiday apartments/cottages, a couple of farmstays, a backpackers, holiday houses and 7 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Museum Village, Dempster St. Tel (08) 9071 2330 or 1300 664 455.

Airport:
Esperance Aerodrome (EPR), Coolgardie Esperance Hwy, Gibson. Tel (08) 9071 2775.

Hospital:
Esperance Hospital, Hicks St. Tel (08) 9071 0888.