The South East Region of Western Australia is well known for it's national parks, which offfer magnificent coastal and inland scenery, unique wildlife, and the greatest variety of wildflowers found anywhere in the world.
Search here to learn more about the South East region.
ESPERANCE and the Bay Of Isles
The beaches here have to be seen to be believed. The sand is pure white and the ocean chrystal blue. A sight worth seeing is the Pink Lake - (a salt lake that really is pink!). Esperance is named after a French naval vessel "L'Esperance" which sheltered from a storm in a wide bay a few kilometres from the present townsite. The beautiful bays and beaches of this area look out on a cluster of offshore islands famous for fishing and the proliferation of seals and other abundant sealife found in the area.
The Bay of Isles itself is actually named the "Archipelago of the Recherche". (Recherche was the name of L'Esperance's sister ship) With its sweeping white sands, clear turquoise water and tiny islands it is a magnificent sight to see.
Visit the Isles
Organised cruises visit the islands and their wildlife. Overnight camping is possible on some islands. Fishing trips can be arranged from Esperance, also diving expeditions in the crystal clear waters.
Inland there is the Pink Lake which is (of course) pink - the incredible colour is the result of an algal bloom and the intensity varies throughout the year due to climatic changes. Some fascinating safari tours are available for you to explore the surrounding area.
Cape LeGrand National Park is a beautiful impressive natural area with a tremendous view from Frenchmans Park. Bays like Thistle Cove, Hellfire Bay and Lucky Bay are some of the most picturesque in Australia.
The WA Backpackers Guide says:-
ESPERANCE
THE BAY OF ISLES
Located 721 kilometres south east of Perth and 400 km south of Kalgoorlie, Esperance, with its mild climate, has long been a holiday mecca for people from the Goldfields and is growing in popularity with interstate and overseas visitors.
The accommodation in town is virtually unlimited with several hotels, motels, caravan parks, cottages and two backpacker hostels. Westrail run a coach service on weekdays while there is a daily air service from Perth.
Known as the “Bay of Isles” because of the vast number of small islands offshore, it is another of the fisherman’s paradises on the WA coastline. Virtually any point off the Esperance coast will produce a good catch.
Arguably the biggest attraction is the cruise out around some of the islands. These cruises are fully commentated and last for 3 ½ hours. Visitors can see sea eagles being hand fed, dolphins at play, colonies of sea lions and seals plus a host of other marine life and sea birds.
Tour operators in town run regular trips to Cape Le Grande, combined with visits to Duke of Orleans Bay and Cape Arid National Park. Ask hostel management for further details.
Esperance is famous worldwide for its Pink Lake, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
There are two horse riding schools close to town where beginners and experienced riders are catered for, while a charter boat takes visitors to Woody Island for an overnight camping stay.
RAVENSTHORP
The town of Ravensthorpe is situated 295km east of Albany and 200km west of Esperance, in the south coastal region of Western Australia where wildflowers abound in spring. The Shire of Ravensthorpe has some of the most diverse and spectacular plants in the world with more than 1,750 species recorded in the Fitzgerald River National Park, Ravensthorpe Range and Frank Hann National Park. More...
KUKERIN
Kukerin is 309km (SE) from the Perth GPO. It is mainly a farming district, specializing in cropping and sheep breeding. There is a beaut "country pub" for meals and accomodation. You can go on a tour of an emu farm, or visit a yabbie export business, where you can purchase bottled or fresh yabbies and have a tour of their factory. Kukerin is also host to the annual "Kukerin Vintage Tracmach Fair".
Approximately 3-4000 people descend on Kukerin for the long weekend of September every year. You can see vintage machinery from all over WA, and another huge attraction is the creekbed races. The Kukerin Truck Show is also growing in interest. All camping is free on the grounds and hot food is supplied all weekend. There's also an antiques display and lots of human interest stalls. Maureen Adams