Esperance, located in the Goldfields region of Western Australia’s south coast, may be over 700 kilometres away from Perth, but the journey is one worth taking. Renowned for its breathtaking beaches and spectacular natural scenery, Esperance is a gem worth discovering.
This Perth to Esperance road trip guide provides all the essential information you need to plan your adventure seamlessly, ensuring you don’t miss out on any of the wonders along the way.
This blog was originally posted in June 2021, and last updated in September 2023.
Is Esperance 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, outdoor activities and 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 lot to do in Esperance so if possible, plan ahead around sunnier periods!
When is the Best Time For a Road Trip to Esperance from Perth?
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), you might want to head to the warmer north and visit Broome or Exmouth instead.
How Long to Spend in Esperance, WA?
I’d recommend spending at least 3 nights in Esperance given the remote location and number of things to do in Esperance.
On our road trip to Esperance in 2021 we spent 4 nights in Esperance, which I felt was the perfect amount of time.
If you only have a week in Perth, I would recommend exploring the South West WA region instead which is only a 3 hour drive away.
How to Get to Esperance from Perth?
By Car
Most visitors will travel to Esperance by car.
It takes 8 hours of driving to get to Esperance from Perth. Esperance is 720km from Perth. We did the drive in one day, with a few stops to break up the drive so you can stretch your legs.
If you need to hire a car in Perth, check out Discover Cars for the largest range of rental options and best prices.
By Flight
Regional airline Rex flies from Perth to Esperence. Whilst more expensive than driving, it only takes about 1.5 hours. You will need to hire a car to get around upon arrival from Esperance Airport.
By Bus / Coach
TransWA travels the distance from Perth to Esperance, with more information available from the TransWA website. However you would need a car to get around and explore the sights of Esperance when you get there.
Looking for things to do when you get there? Check out 20 Ideas for the Best Things to Do in Esperance
Where to Stop on the Way to Esperance?
There are a few notable things to see on the Perth to Esperance drive.
There are two main routes you can take. Each route takes about the same amount of time, so you could drive one route on the way down and the other route on the way back.
The third option is do a longer South West WA Road Trip, and exploring the Margaret River Region on your way to Esperance.
Perth to Esperance Road Trip Map
Click the Perth to Esperance Road Trip Itinerary map below to open an interactive version in Google My Maps
Perth to Esperance Itinerary
Perth to Esperance via Wave Rock and Hyden
Drive Perth to Esperance via Hyden to see the unique Wave Rock. Hyden is a great stopover point because it sits about the halfway mark of your journey to Esperance. Hyden to Esperance is a 4 hour drive.
Wave Rock is about 4 hours from Perth, halfway on your trip to Esperance. Located in the Wheatbelt, Wave Rock is a natural landmark that reaches 15 metres high. The shape of Wave Rock is caused by millions of years of erosion by wind and rain.
It costs $12 per vehicle to visit Wave Rock (as of 2023), 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 interesting shaped rock, Hippos Yawn, a few hundred metres away from Wave Rock.
Across the road 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).
Wave Rock to Esperance is a further four hours, so it is possible to do in the one day if you leave Perth early enough. Alternatively, visit on the return leg of your trip from Esperance to Wave Rock.
Perth to Esperance via Lake Grace and Newdegate
The drive Perth to Esperance via Lake Grace will take you through salt lakes and giant painted silo art murals.
The silo art in Newdegate is worth a stop as you pass through the town.
The mural at Newdegate is one of the stops along the Public Silo trail across Western Australia, transforming grain silos into giant artworks across the state.
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 and continue on to Esperance.
There is limited accommodation on this route. Some options to consider include:
- Motel lodging in Lake Grace at the Saltbush Inn
- B&B Guesthouse in Wagin at Wagin Cottage Garden Bed and Breakfast
- A slight deviation to your route would take you to Katanning, where you could treat yourself to a stay at the acclaimed Premier Mill Hotel in Katanning.
Perth to Esperance via the Margaret River Region
If you have the time for a longer road trip, you could visit the Margaret River Region, Denmark and Albany, following my detailed itinerary in my guide here.
It’s then a 5 hour drive from Albany to Esperance.
Bremer Bay is another beautiful spot on the coast that you could stop at between Albany and Esperance to break up the drive.
Other Attractions between Perth and Esperance
Either of the routes outlined above will take you through the small town of Ravensthorpe. Ravensthorpe to Esperance is just a further 2 hour drive.
In Ravensthorpe, make to sure to pull in at the next stop on the Public Silo Trail located just on the outskirts of town.
Perth to Esperance Tours
This adventurous tour takes travellers from across the world on a trip from Perth to Margaret River to Esperance over six days.
Highlights of the trip include hiking a section of the Cape to Cape, exploring Margaret River, visiting the acclaimed Elephant Rocks near Denmark and camping at the famous Lucky Bay and seeing the friendly kangaroos.
On the return trip to Perth, you’ll finish your bucket list trip with a visit to Wave Rock.
Check prices and availability here
Final Thoughts – Road Trip Perth to Esperance
That’s all you need to know for planning your next Perth – Esperance Road Trip.
Whilst it’s a long drive, there are some memorable stops along the way. You can also mix it up with a longer trip and visit the South West WA before or after visiting Esperance if you have an extra week up your sleeve.
If you are continuing on your road trip along the south coast of Australia, make sure to read this Nullarbor road trip guide!
FAQs: Esperance to Perth 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. 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.
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.