Esperance

Not to be confused with the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, the Great Ocean Drive in Esperance is Western Australia’s captivating, albeit shorter, counterpart. At approximately twenty kilometres in length, this scenic drive truly packs a punch with a string of pristine beaches. Also, the entire drive is never too far away from town, making this a highly accessible scenic route. As you’ll soon see, there’s much to discover here.

The town of Esperance itself is a seaside charmer, with all the usual facilities that you’d expect from a medium-sized town. For the passing traveller, Esperance’s magnificent foreshore and its immaculately presented gardens are a great place to relax, so be sure to add a seaside stroll to the itinerary as you take in the character of this southern slice of paradise.

A detailed visual of the scenic drive can be obtained from the information centre in town, but you can also see it here. At the southern end of town, you’ll find Twilight Beach Road, which marks the beginning of the Great Ocean Drive. Upon driving out of town and climbing a steep hill for a mere 400 metres, keep an eye out for Doust Street on your left, which will take you to Rotary Lookout offering views in all directions. From here, the town of Esperance will be visible with the islands of Recherche Archipelago (The Bay of Isles) visible out to sea.

The following list of free things to see and do along the Great Ocean Drive has been placed in order of appeal for those on a short timeframe; to be honest, all of the following are worth seeing. Come and see for yourself why time and again people rate Esperance and its scenic drive so highly.

Easily the most popular attraction along the Great Ocean Drive, Twilight Beach is for many, one of their favourites in the country. With so many great beaches in Australia, it’s a big call, but it does give you an indication of the calibre of this incredible beach. What sets Twilight Beach apart from others would have to be the large granite islets adorning the shallow waters, just off the shoreline. Combined with a sun-drenched day, few beaches can rival the atmosphere of this one — it’s that good.

The beach itself is pure magic, with easy access, brilliant white sand and stunning turquoise water — making it an absolute pleasure to take in first-hand. It’s patrolled over weekends and public holidays by the local surf life-saving club between October and April, making it a great family-friendly beach.

The shallow waters of Twilight Cove are protected from the open sea, adding to its family-friendly status. It also has the added benefit of creating the most intense turquoise colouration on a sunny day that you’re likely to find, which will have you smiling from ear to ear. Overall, this is a must-see destination if you’re planning to travel along Western Australia’s remarkable south-west coast.

While Esperance is well known for its amazing beaches, it also boasts a coastline of stunning granite outcrops and awe-inspiring cliff faces. With some of the region’s most incredible views, one of the best places to take in the magic of this natural spectacle is at Observatory Point. With a peak at the tip of its headland, the views are reminiscent of an eagle’s nest, with some epic scenery to be absorbed from the summit.

Not to be outdone, there’s also a set of stairs leading down to the beach. The views as you descend the staircase are encompassing, with the grand cliff-faces of the coast proving to be one of the most beautiful seascapes in the region.

While other beaches in this area are more suited to swimming, there’s nothing wrong with taking a dip here so long as you are mindful that this is an open-water, unpatrolled beach. Having said that, there are a few barrier reefs just moments from the shoreline that offer protection. A walk up the beach is highly recommended and, quite possibly, one of the best ways to take in the magnificent coastal scenery to be found here. Whichever way you choose, with so many beaches to select from, you’ll more than likely have this often-overlooked beach all to yourself.

While Twilight Beach gets all the attention, a much less-visited but oh-so-pretty seaside location can be enjoyed at Blue Haven Beach. As its name implies, the turquoise waters of this beach will have you from the moment you stand on the clifftops overlooking this impressive coastal stretch.

If you’re short on time, simply admiring the views from the top landing is a remarkable way to take it all in. For those with more time, walking down the staircase to the pristine sand will reward you with that sand between your toes feeling and with sensational views that stretch for miles on end. You really are spoiled for choice in this region — with so many amazing pockets of paradise to uncover.

If you’re planning to swim here, then the headland on the right-hand side of the beach is definitely worth checking out. The ultra-smooth and slightly elevated granite landing is a treat, as it allows visitors to dive into the ultra-azure waters. After you’re cool and refreshed, you’ll find that exiting the water and getting back to your towel is just as good, as you won’t have to step on sand in the process.

It really doesn’t get much better than Blue Haven, which could be your go-to beach if visiting during peak times.

West Beach is the first significant stretch of sand that you’ll come across along the Great Ocean Drive. Arriving here, the elevated views from street level are expansive, with little effort required to take in the sights. As you pull into the parking bay, the first impression of this open-water masterpiece will be the azure colour of the sea, shortly followed by the captivating granite headland that flanks the left-hand end of the beach.

Down on the shoreline, the headlands at either end create a wonderfully immersive setting, with a stroll along the sand one of the best ways to take it all in. You’ll more than likely have this beach to yourself which will suit those looking for a bit of solitude. You’ll also find several reefs running parallel to the shoreline here with inviting waters on the lee side, making this a great spot to take a dip. Overall, if conditions are favourable and the winds aren’t whipping up the sea, this is a great beach to savour.

If you love nothing better than getting away from the crowds, then Ten Mile Lagoon is just the spot for you. As the furthest beach from town (still only nineteen kilometres), visitors rarely travel to this section of the scenic drive. The beach features a seemingly endless barrier reef that not only looks fantastic, but also protects swimmers from the ocean swell. Best enjoyed at low tide, the lee side offers shallow, calmer water that often feels a little warmer — always a welcome bonus.

Should you wish to truly get back to nature, there is a 200-metre ‘clothing optional’ stretch of beach west of the staircase. But don’t worry — if that’s not your thing, it’s called Ten Mile Lagoon for a reason.

Overall, if you’re keen to check out all that this sensational stretch of coast has to offer, it’s worth travelling down to Ten Mile Lagoon for the views alone. From this point, you can return the way you came or take the inland road (Eleven Mile Road) back to the town of Esperance.