Melnq8

Considering a visit to Esperance, WA. Thought about driving from Perth until I discovered it's well over 700 kms. I assume there are flights from Perth.

Trying to determine if Esperance is a good choice and what all to see and do. The main attraction for us is the national parks in the area, but I have yet to find much info.

We really enjoyed our visit to Albany a few months back and are hoping Esperance will offer a similar experience.

Would greatly appreciate any suggestions or insight from those who've visited the area.

fuzzylogic

Hi - yes, I hired a car some years ago and took a wander round the SW corner. Ended up in Esperance. It took me five days to get there, but I made the mistake of thinking I could get back to Perth in one day. It's a nice enough drive and there's things to see and places to stop - but unless you are used to driving long distances, or have someone to share the driving with - I wouldn't recommend.

By late afternoon I found I was wandering all over the carriageway. Fortunately there's not much traffic, but that's also one reason why it's so easy to let your attention wander. I ended up having stop, but found a lovely B&B so that was OK.

The beaches are just gorgeous in the Esperance area but not for casual dips. Other than the National parks there's not a whole lot happening. It's a small isolated town.

I remember buying a beautiful illustrated guide to the area published by CALM. They may or may not still produce it, but now they are bound to have a website.

they do:

www.calm.wa.gov.au

Happy travels.

Melnq8

Thanks fuzzy - I found a daily flight from Perth, but it's on a puddle jumper (understandably), which isn't my preferred method of travel, although it beats a 700+ km drive.

It's been my experience that Perth car rental companies restrict usage to a 500 km radius of Perth, so that's an issue for us as well.

I used the site you suggested when planning our trip to Albany, but didn't think of it for Esperance (duh), so I'll take a look.

The distances in WA are certainly daunting. We'd love to see the Pinnacles and Wave Rock, but there never seems enough time to wander too far.

Thanks again.

chalclear

I have been all around Australia and personally, whilst Esperance beaches are beautiful, I think you could do better by going north. Consider a trip to Coral Bay, which is SPECTACULAR. Along the way, you could visit the Pinnacles and Monkey Mia, amongst other areas, but if driving the distance bothers you, you could fly to Geraldton where you could pick up a car. Have you considered an RV? That you could hire in Perth, or Geraldton, and you would be able to travel up to Coral Bay. Depends really on what experience you are after since the north is very different to the south of Perth.

Melnq8

Appreciate the suggestions. Esperance is looking ambitious at this point, but we're drawn south, so now leaning towards a return trip to Albany, Pemberton and MR. Lots of parks down that way (we like to hike) and no shortage of things to do.

Either of you familiar with Fitzgerald River Nat'l Park NE of Albany?

travel4flowers

We considered visiting Fitzgerald because of its botanical diversity. It seemed too far for a day trip from Albany so we dropped it off the list.

If we had more time, we might have stayed a night or two in the area. Bremer Bay seemed to be a good place to stay or maybe Ravensthorpe. Most of the wildflower tours stay in Bremer Bay. I did look a bit for places to stay and didn't find as good of selection as MR, Pemberton and Albany. Besides Bremer Bay hotels, I found a historical farm at Quaalup and a B&B at Jerramungup.

Melnq8

Thanks travel4flowers.

Unfortunately, we won't be there during wildflower season - we're going in March.

Fitzgerald is about 180 km from Albany, so I'm also thinking it's a bit far for a day trip.

Will take a look at Bremer Bay.