Esperance (pop. 6440) was an important supply port for the Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie goldfields. The town takes its name from a French vessel, the Espérance, which anchored here in 1792.
Cape Le Grand National Park
(Near Esperance)
31,000ha.
From the granite and gneiss hills in the park there are views of the wide sandy plains with banksia vegetation. Narrow inlets with good beaches attract water sports enthusiasts and anglers.
There is a 3km long trail from the parking lot to Frenchman Peak (262m) on the gentle eastern slopes of the hill.
The Coastal Track (15km) runs from Le Grand Beach in the west by way of Hellfire Bay to Rossiter Bay, with spectacular views of the coast. This walk can be divided into five sections: Le Grand Beach to Hellfire Bay (3 hours, strenuous); Hellfire Bay to Thistle Cove (2 hours, strenuous); Thistle Cove to Lucky Bay (3/4 hour, easy); Heritage Trail, Thistle Cove (3/4 hour, easy); Lucky Cove to Rossiter Bay (21/2 hours, not too difficult). There are no roads in the eastern part of the park; there is a track to Dunn Rocks (fishing).
Address:
Department of Conservation and Land Management South Coast District Esperance Office, Box 234, Esperance, WA 6450, Australia
Tips: Best time to visit: spring and summer.
Access from Esperance on Merivale Road or Fisheries Road.
Camping stoves should be brought; there is practically no wood for fires.
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Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance
