Elisha
Cape Le Grand National Park is one of the most outstanding parks in all of Australia. I don’t care how far away it is (and it is a long way); it’s certainly worth the drive. The landscapes here feel like they belong in another world, with wild coastal scenery filled with the whitest sand, bluest water, and bulging granite hills.
Cape Le Grand is certainly a must visit for anyone visiting Esperance. While you’ll find stunning beaches around Esperance too, the beaches in Cape Le Grand National Park are on another level and are widely considered to be the most beautiful in the whole country.
With camping spots very limited in the national park, it’s certainly doable to explore the highlights of the park in a day trip from Esperance instead. I only had a day to see it after missing out on a camp spot at the start of summer, so it’s definitely achievable. In this post, I’m going to outline the best spots in the park that you can fit into a single day trip.
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Where is Cape Le Grand National Park?
Cape Le Grand is a remote coastal park. It’s located 630 km south east from Perth. The closest town is Esperance, which is just 56 km to the west of the park.
Most people visit Cape Le Grand as part of a road trip from Perth to Esperance, or even before or after crossing the Nullarbor Plain from South Australia.
Do You Need an Entry Permit for Cape Le Grand National Park?
Yes, park entry fees apply for national parks in Western Australia. A standard park entry for the day is $17, but you can purchase an annual or extended holiday WA Parks Pass which automatically includes Cape Le Grand with all other national parks in the state.
Is the Road Sealed in Cape Le Grand National Park?
The road to reach Cape Le Grand National Park is completely sealed from Esperance. You’ll also find that the main road through the national park from the entrance all the way to Lucky Bay is also sealed.
This main road through the park provides access to most of the highlights including Frenchman Peak, Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove, Le Grand Beach and Lucky Bay. Venturing any further beyond Lucky Bay though requires a 4×4 and is on rough dirt roads and sandy tracks.
Camping in Cape Le Grand National Park
There are two campgrounds in Cape Le Grand National Park: Lucky Bay and Le Grand Beach. Both include flushing toilets, showers and sheltered barbecue areas. No fires are allowed at any time.
You have to book a site in advance for these campgrounds. Unfortunately, they tend to book out months in advance due to the popularity of the park, so many people miss out. I couldn’t get a spot here at the start of summer. Sites are from $20 per person per night.
Lucky Bay Campground is by far the most popular choice as it’s just up from one of the most famous beaches in Australia. It has 56 unpowered sites, which quickly get booked out in advance during the warmer months.
Where to Stay Nearby to Cape Le Grand National Park
If you don’t get a campsite in the national park, there are very limited options close by. Most people choose to stay in Esperance and just visit as a day trip. Here are some accommodation options:
Dunns Ecopark | is a working farm that offers 20 unpowered camping sites. The facilities include a camp kitchen, toilets, showers, fire pits and picnic area. It’s the closest option to Cape Le Grand National Park being just 20 minutes from the park entrance.
Duke of Orleans Caravan Park | is located over at Wharton Beach, just under an hour’s drive east of Cape Le Grand National Park. While it’s further away from Esperance, it’s just back from one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see. It’s a good option if you want to spend time at Wharton Beach after visiting Cape Le Grand.
RAC Esperance Holiday Park | This beachfront caravan park near Tanker Jetty has something for everyone in Esperance, from powered camping sites to cabins. It’s a popular choice in town.
Clearwater Motel Apartments | Right in the middle of Esperance, this motel is a more affordable place to stay in town for those not camping. The self-catering apartments are also ideal for those wanting to have a kitchen.
Read next: 20 Best Things to Do in Esperance
What to Do in Cape Le Grand National Park
The beaches are the main attraction in Cape Le Grand National Park. However, you’ll be surprised to find an incredible hike up Frenchman Peak too, which is absolutely worth doing. If you’re prepared for a big day of exploring, then here are the highlights of the park that you can certainly visit all in a day.
Frenchman Peak
- Distance: 2.6 km return
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Find the map on AllTrails
This protruding granite hill juts about 260m out of the ground in the national park and is the best hike in Cape Le Grand. Known as Mandooboornup by Aboriginal Traditional Owners, it was formed by wave action and underwater currents about 40 million years ago when the sea covered the region.
At the top of the peak there is an impressive cave that you can explore on the way up. Starting directly from the carpark, the trail is extremely steep as it crosses the granite slope on the east side of the mountain. This should be first up on your Cape Le Grand National Park itinerary for the day to get it done before the heat of the day hits.
Do not go after rain as it will be too slippery and wear decent shoes to make sure you grip on the granite. The panoramic view from the top is outstanding over the whole park and coastline.
Don’t underestimate this walk, as it’s hard on the knees, especially on the way down!
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Hellfire Bay
In my opinion, Hellfire Bay is the most beautiful bay in the national park. The water is a milky blue colour, and the bay is flanked by massive granite outcrops which give it a completely otherworldly view.
There are toilets and a shelter here if you want somewhere out of the sun to have lunch. Then, take the stairs down to the beach. You can also climb up onto the rocks on the side and get a nice view.
Thistle Cove and Whistling Rock
A quick next stop is Thistle Cove. This is a beautiful cove featuring a nice beach that is far less visited than some of the others. Don’t forget to also check out the Whistling Rock here, a short walk from the carpark. Known for the soft “whistling” sound made when wind moves through the rock, it’s a striking formation.
Coastal Trail
You won’t have time to complete the full 17 km one way trail from Rossiter Bay to Le Grand Beach in a day, if you also want to spend time at the beaches and climb Frenchman Peak. However, you can certainly do a section of it.
The trail provides access to some little-known spots that aren’t accessible by driving like to Little Hellfire Bay. You can jump on the Coastal Trail at Hellfire Bay Carpark and just walk the short section to reach this secluded spot. It’s just 1.8km return to Little Hellfire Bay from here.
Lucky Bay
The most iconic spot in the national park, Lucky Bay is often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia (although I personally think Hellfire Beach is better).
It’s a huge sweeping bay with white sand and blue water. Although, the famous photo here is of kangaroos on the beach, which typically happens at dawn or dusk and not all the time, so don’t be too disappointed if you don’t see them (but please don’t feed them regardless).
This place is definitely the busiest in the national park and the carpark can be full. You can also drive onto the beach here, with the sand being quite firm. You’ll often see cars parked up along the bay on weekends, with people fishing, boating, paddling, and swimming off the beach.
Le Grand Beach
Once you reach Lucky Bay, you’ve reached the end of the sealed road section. On your way back out of the park, I suggest doing a quick stop at Le Grand Beach. This is a much quieter spot and less impressive than other beaches, but still a nice place to stop.
You can also walk up the hill a little but from the carpark on the Coastal Trail and find a nice view over the beach, before heading out and back to Esperance.
Wharton Beach
You won’t really have time to squeeze in Wharton Beach on a day trip to Cape Le Grand. It’s technically outside the national park and further away from Esperance. However, if you end up snagging a campsite in Cape Le Grand or have another day to spare in Esperance, then I highly recommend a trip out to Wharton Beach.
It’s located about 94km east of Esperance and takes over an hour to reach on a sealed road. It’s a stunning spot with the whitest sand and brightest of blue water you’ll ever see. I think this is the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen in my life!
You can swim and surf here, but there have been fatal shark attacks in the past despite it being a shallow bay, so do so at your own risk. The only place to stay nearby is Duke of Orleans Bay Caravan Park which is just back from the beach.
What to Pack For Your Day Trip to Cape Le Grand National Park
- Drinking water
- Food (you won’t be able to find anything around in the national park, although there is a seasonal coffee van at Lucky Bay in summer)
- Swimwear
- Beach towel
- Beach umbrella
- Sunscreen (this stuff is the best!)
- Hiking footwear (I recommend Altra Lone Peak trail runners)
- Sandals
Explore More of Western Australia
- Perth to Esperance: Ultimate 10-Day South West Road Trip
- Esperance: 20 Best Things to Do in Esperance
- Albany: 20 Best Things to Do in Albany
- Stirling Ranges: Best Hikes in the Stirling Range National Park
- Porongurups: Guide to the Granite Skywalk in Porongurup National Park
- Day Hikes: 12 Best Day Hikes in South West WA
- Camping: 15 Best Campgrounds in South West Western Australia
- Kalbarri: Perth to Kalbarri 5 Day Road Trip Itinerary
- Cape to Cape: Complete Guide to the Cape to Cape Track
- Bibbulmun Track: Complete Guide to Thru Hiking the Bibbulmun Track
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