I won’t sugar coat it – Esperance is a long drive away from Perth. Located on the remote stretch of Western Australia’s south coast over 700 kilometres from Perth, the journey to Esperance is a long one, but very worthwhile – you’ll be rewarded with some of the best beaches in Western Australia that truly look like they belong on a postcard!
Esperance has been long on my Western Australia bucket list, and in 2021 I finally got the chance to gaze upon the impossibly turquoise blue and crystal-clear waters for myself. With squeaky white sand, incredible natural landscapes and cute wildlife, a visit to Esperance is worth the long drive.
In this Perth to Esperance road trip guide, I’ll provide all the essential information you need to plan your own adventure seamlessly, ensuring you don’t miss out on any of the wonders worth seeing along the way.
Firstly… Is Esperance Actually Worth Visiting?
I can absolutely say Esperance is worth visiting!
It is so unique to other areas in the south west of WA. Esperance has incredible natural scenery, unique outdoor activities and of course, some of the most remarkable beaches that makes it worth the 8 hour drive from Perth!
In saying that, you do need to time your visit according to weather. In poor weather and rain, there isn’t a whole lot to do in Esperance so if possible, plan ahead around sunnier periods!
When is the Best Time to Go?
The best time to enjoy the natural wonders of Esperance is in the warmer months between September and April. Esperance gets very cold in winter, and the weather can be quite variable even in summer!
We visited in March 2021, and despite the weather forecast looking sunny we had a day of unexpected drizzly rain that stopped us for exploring as much as we would have liked.
If visiting Perth in winter (June to August), my recommendation is to road trip from Perth to Exmouth to make the most of the balmy sunny days in the north.
How Long to Spend in Esperance?
I’d recommend spending at least 3 nights in Esperance given the remote location and number of things to do and see. I personally spent 4 nights in Esperance, which I felt was the perfect amount of time.
If you only have one week in Perth, I recommend a road trip around Margaret River and the South West instead – I’ve got the perfect one week itinerary for you here.
How to Get to Esperance from Perth?
By Car or Campervan
Most visitors travel to Esperance by car or campervan.
It takes 8 hours of driving to cover the 720km between Perth and Esperance. We did the drive in one day, with a few stops along the way to break up the drive and stretch your legs.
For car hire in Perth, I recommend Discover Cars – they are one of the largest car hire aggregators. I’ve found they are often cheaper than booking direct, and they offer free cancellation which allows for more flexibility if plans change.
The main campervan companies in Western Australia that I recommend for van hire are:
- Budget: JUCY Campervans or Travellers Autobarn
- Mid-Range: Apollo
- Luxury: StarRV (these premium campers look incredible! Definitely the way to go for full comfort on the road)
By Flight
The small regional airline Rex flies daily from Perth to Esperance. Whilst more expensive than driving, it only takes about 1.5 hours, but you will need to hire a car to get around upon arrival from Esperance Airport.
By Bus / Coach
TransWA has services which will enable you to travel from Perth to Esperance by coach, with more information available from the TransWA website. However, to make the most of your time exploring the sights of Esperance, you would need a car to get around when you get there.
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Where to Stop on the Way to Esperance?
There are three main routes you can take on your Perth to Esperance road trip:
- Option 1: Inland via Wave Rock (~8 hours non-stop)
- Option 2: Inland via Lake Grace (~8 hours non-stop)
- Option 3: Via the South West Region visiting Margaret River, Denmark and Albany (~12 hours non-stop, but you’ll break the trip up along the way staying at these towns)
Options 1 and 2 are the quickest and most direct routes to Esperance from Perth. I drove Option 1 on the way to Esperance, and Option 2 on the way back.
For a longer and more scenic road trip, then Option 3 is definitely the way to go as you can visit the lush karri forests, boutique wineries and beautiful coastline of Margaret River, Denmark and Albany.
For the ultimate road trip around the south west coast of WA, if time permits, I would recommend doing taking Option 1 or 2 on the way to Esperance, and then coming back to Perth via Option 3 for a full loop (or vice versa). This is my exact recommended 3 week South West itinerary that I share in my Western Australia Road Trip eBook. This Perth to Esperance itinerary is best done in 3 weeks.
Perth to Esperance Road Trip Map
Click any of the map images to open an interactive version in Google Maps.
Perth to Esperance Itinerary
Option 1: Perth to Esperance via Wave Rock and Hyden
It’s worthwhile driving from Perth to Esperance via the small town of Hyden to see the unique Wave Rock – one of Western Australia’s most recognisable landmarks standing over 15 metres high in the perfectly formed shape of a wave.
Hyden is a great stopover point because it sits about the halfway mark (4 hours) of your journey to Esperance.
It costs $12 per vehicle to visit Wave Rock (as of 2025), which can be paid via card at the electric stations at the parking area in front of Wave Rock.
Other things to see in the area include another unusually shaped rock, Hippos Yawn, a few hundred metres away from Wave Rock. Across the road from Wave Rock is Lake Magic, the naturally occurring salt lake across located at the Wave Rock resort.
You can also stay overnight at the Wave Rock Caravan Park (camping and self contained cabins), or across the road at Wave Rock Resort (accommodation villas).
From Wave Rock, it is a further four hours’ drive to Esperance, so it is possible to do in the one day if you leave Perth early enough (this is what we did, leaving Perth around 7 am, stopping at Wave Rock for an early lunch and getting to Esperance around 5 pm).
Option 2: Perth to Esperance via Lake Grace and Newdegate
The drive Perth to Esperance via Lake Grace will take you through vast salt lakes and giant painted silo art murals.
The silo art in Newdegate is worth a stop as you pass through the town. This mural is one of the stops along the Public Silo trail across Western Australia, transforming grain silos into giant artworks across the state. There’s another one that you’ll pass in the town of Ravensthorpe when taking any of these three routes to Esperance.
Continuing your drive to Esperance, you will pass through Lake Grace. Shortly afterwards, you will come across the longest road built across a salt lake, with a 10km straight stretch before you reach the town of Lake King. It’s most impressive when viewed from above with a drone!
We did the drive in one day, so didn’t need to stay overnight. There is limited accommodation on this route. Some options to consider include:
- Motel lodging in Lake Grace at the Saltbush Inn
- There’s a couple of guesthouses in Wagin
- A slight deviation to your route would lead you to Katanning, where you could treat yourself to a stay at the acclaimed and highly-rated Premier Mill Hotel in Katanning
Option 3: Perth to Esperance via the Margaret River Region
If you have the time for a longer road trip, this is definitely the more scenic route and show you the best of South West Australia.
Taking this option, you will explore the Margaret River Region, Denmark and Albany. From Albany, it’s a 5 hour drive to Esperance. You could stop at Bremer Bay and even Fitzgerald National Park on the way if you wanted to break up the drive.
Bremer Bay is a small coastal town with scenic beaches on the doorstep of Fitzgerald River National Park, home to a diverse plethora of flora and fauna. Bremer Bay is the only place in Western Australia where you can go on an orca (killer whale) watching tour.
Other Attractions between Perth and Esperance
Either of the routes outlined above will take you through the small town of Ravensthorpe, a 2 hours drive from Esperance. In Ravensthorpe, make to sure to pull in at the next stop on the Public Silo Trail located just on the outskirts of town.
You’ve Reached Esperance – Now What?!
Congratulations, you’ve made it to coastal paradise! After checking in to your accommodation, caravan park or campsite, it’s time to explore the many picturesque beaches and epic landscapes of the region. Check out my other Esperance guides to help plan your time wisely.
Plan Your Esperance Adventures:
Final Thoughts
That wraps up everything you need to know to start planning your Perth to Esperance Road Trip. Whilst it’s a long drive, there are so many memorable stops along the way, no matter which route you choose.
If you found this free guide useful, you’ll love my new Western Australia Road Trip & Travel Guide eBook! It’s jam-packed with over 90 pages of useful destination guides, essential tips and custom day-by-day itineraries to make planning your Western Australia adventures a breeze. Check it out here.
Continue reading my other free Western Australia road trip guides:
- The Ultimate Western Australia Road Trip Guide – with Suggested Itineraries & Maps!
- The Ultimate 3 Day Margaret River Itinerary (From A Local!)
- 7 Must-See Stops on a Perth to Margaret River Road Trip
- 35 Best Things to Do in Margaret River
- Best of South West WA: One Week Road Trip Itinerary
- Nullarbor Road Trip Guide
FAQs: Perth to Esperance Road Trip Summary
How long is the road trip from Perth to Esperance?
The road trip from Perth to Esperance can be done in one day if you start early enough. It takes about 8 hours of driving to reach Esperance from Perth. You could also break up the drive with an overnight stop at Wave Rock or Lake Grace. If you have more time up your sleeve, consider taking the longer and more scenic route via the Margaret River Region.
What is halfway from Perth to Esperance?
Wave Rock is the perfect halfway stop from Perth to Esperance. See the curiously shaped 15 metre surf wave-like rock, hike to Hippo’s Yawn rock and test out the buoyant salty waters of Lake Magic.
Do you need a 4WD to drive from Perth to Esperance?
You do not need a 4WD to drive from Perth to Esperance, and the drive is on main highways and sealed roads.
How far is Esperance from Perth?
- Perth to Esperance Distance: 720km
- Perth to Hyden to Esperance Distance: 715km
- Esperance to Hyden Distance: 380km
How far is Margaret River to Esperance?
- Margaret River to Esperance Distance (direct): 710km
- Margaret River to Esperance Distance (via Albany): 825km
Safe travels, and enjoy the road trip from Perth to Esperance!
A great blog thanks for sharing – very inspirational! What camera gear and drone are you using, I’m loving the colours!
Id love to know this too!
Check out my camera gear guide here 🙂 Travel Photography Gear: What’s In My Camera Bag?
Hi there! How cold does esperance get in early August? Wanted to do this road trip around mid August and trying to figure out the weather. I’m from the northeast in the U.S. where it gets pretty cold
Hi! It’s cold (for Australia)… daily maximum of 18 degrees Celsius according to Google. If you had sunny days, it might be OK though! If it rains in Esperance, it isn’t much fun.
Hey! What are the flies like over summer?
Unfortunately, the flies are usually pretty annoying in summer! The good thing is though, the breeze should help keep them away 🙂
Hi if you are from New England Esperance ain’t cold
Hello, any suggestions on where to stay overnight on the Lake Grace route? Many thanks!
Hey! You could stay in Wagin in a B&B like this one. Otherwise, a slightly different route will take you past the historical renovated Premier Mill Hotel and you could explore the country town of Katanning. Otherwise there is basic motel accommodation in Lake Grace, like the Saltbush Inn.