During a storm in 1792 French explorers discovered several sheltering bays, they named the area Esperance, which is French for 'hope'. A decade later Matthew Flinders discovered Lucky Bay and Thistle Cove within the Bay of Isles.

Esperance is a regional port, about 399 kms from the mining town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and 725 kms southeast of Perth. The coastal area has fine white sand and bright turquoise water. There are 9 Esperance and South Coast national parks and reserves:

• Cape Arid National Park
• Cape Le Grand National Park
• Esperance Lakes Nature Reserve
• Eucla National Park
• Fitzgerald River National Park
• Frank Hann National Park
• Peak Charles National Park
• Stokes National Park
• Woody Island Nature Reserve

The Great Ocean Drive is a 38km scenic loop which starts west of Esperance town, heading north up the coast past the wind farm, then heading inland to Pink Lake. The main attractions in town are the historic museum village where the visitor centre is located, an Arts Centre, Artist Studios and a few art gallerys, and the tanker jetty where there is a resident sea lion called “Sammy”.

There are a few lookouts within the town and along the coast around Esperance to view the over 100 islands in the archipelago. From June to October Southern Right whales can be seen from the bays close to town and the sheltered coves of the national parks.

Distance from Perth (km)
725
Area (sq km)
42,450
Length of Sealed Roads (km)
839
Length of Unsealed Roads (km)
3,725
Population
13,329

• Click here for Esperance Street Index
• Click here for Esperance Street Map 1
• Click here for Esperance Street Map 2.
• Click here for Distance Chart.