posted on July 21, 2024
Ready to explore the southern coastline of Western Australia with a road trip from Albany to Esperance? This bucket list road trip spans 500 km, with plenty of national parks, seaside towns and white sand beaches to visit along the way.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover:
- An overview of the Albany to Esperance road trip
- Your road trip map from Albany to Esperance
- Top tips for driving from Albany to Esperance
- The best driving itineraries for the Albany to Esperance road trip
- Top places to stop between Albany and Esperance
- Frequently asked questions about the Albany to Esperance drive
An overview of the Albany to Esperance road trip
- Driving itinerary: Direct route from Albany to Esperance: ~5 hours, 481 km
- Top stops: Porongurup National Park, Granite Skywalk, Bluff Knoll at Stirling Range National Park, spotting southern right whales at Port Ann in the Fitzgerald River National Park, Bremer Bay and Cape Le Grand National Park.
- Best times to drive from Albany to Esperance: With WA experiencing very hot summers, plan your road trip between November and February for the driest conditions and the best swimming experience. Alternatively, travelling between February and April will offer fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.
Albany to Esperance drive time
The driving time from Albany to Esperance is around 5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Albany to Esperance drive distance
The driving distance from Albany to Esperance is 481 km via National Route 1 (the fastest route). Alternatively, you can take Chester Pass Road and National Route 1 for a slightly longer journey, closer to 500 km.
Getting to Albany
Chances are you’ll be starting your road trip in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. If you’re hiring a car in Perth, you’ll need to drive roughly 400 km to reach Albany, a drive filled with charming coastal towns and rugged cliffs. Follow our Perth to Albany road trip itinerary to take the guesswork out of your trip.
Alternatively, you can fly from Perth to Albany Regional Airport (less than an hour’s flight time), with the airport situated 11km from the Albany city centre.
Your road trip map from Albany to Esperance
Top tips for driving from Albany to Esperance
If you’re tackling the long drive from Albany to Esperance for the first time or are unfamiliar with driving on remote roads, stay safe on the drive with these top expert tips.
- Avoid driving at night: Wildlife and livestock are known to enter the roads, particularly at dawn, dusk and after dark. When driving along remote or regional stretches of your journey, avoid driving after dark to avoid collisions.
- Don’t underestimate driving distances: Western Australia is a large state, and the roads cover considerable distances. Make sure to pull over, take a break every two hours, and share the drive to avoid fatigue behind the wheel.
- Consider a Telstra SIM card: As a more remote road trip itinerary, mobile reception can be patchy along this route. If you’re planning to spend a number of weeks exploring WA, it could be worth purchasing a Telstra SIM card, as this provider offers the best internet and mobile phone coverage across the state.
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The best driving itinerary for the Albany to Esperance road trip
- Driving time: ~5 hours
- Driving distance: ~500 km
- Day-by-day itinerary:
- Day 1: Albany to Porongurup National Park (51 km, 40 minutes)
- Day 2: Porongurup National Park to Stirling Range National Park (58 km, 40 minutes)
- Day 3: Stirling Range National Park to Fitzgerald River National Park (185 km, 1 hour 50 minutes)
- Day 4: Fitzgerald River National Park to Esperance (200 km, 2 hours)
- Day 5 (Optional): Esperance to Cape Le Grand National Park (72 km, 50 minutes)
From epic swim spots to incredible hiking trails and rocky headlands, the Albany to Esperance road trip is one of the most scenic coastal driving routes in WA.
Before you depart from Albany, consider making a detour south to the Torndirrup National Park and explore The Gap and Natural Bridge, which offers incredible viewing platforms looking out across the surging seas of the Southern Ocean.
Depart early on day one to maximise your time in the Porongurup National Park. Hikers: don’t miss the Granite Skywalk, offering a 4.4 km return trip featuring sweeping views along the suspended walkway. Day two takes you to Stirling Range National Park, with the chance for experienced hikers to tackle the challenging Bluff Knoll walking trail (a strenuous 4-hour adventure to the summit).
The next day, you’ll venture to the rugged, coastal Fitzgerald River National Park (one of the biggest and most botanically significant national parks in the entire country). If you’re driving a 4WD, consider taking the unsealed road to Point Ann, where you can visit a purpose-built viewing platform to spot migrating whales from June to October each year. Don’t miss the Point Ann Heritage Trail, a fantastic hike in the area.
On your final day before reaching Esperance, consider stopping in at Stokes National Park and taking a dip at Shoal Cape. Once you arrive in Esperance, get ready to stroll along the new Esperance Jetty, hike to Frenchman Peak, meet friendly kangaroos on the shores of Lucky Bay and enjoy delicious local produce at dining destinations along the Esplanade.
Tip from the author: Don’t stop your drive at Esperance! Within less than an hour, you’ll reach Cape Le Grand National Park, offering some of the best white sand beaches in Australia and perfect conditions to swim and surf.
Where to stay on your Albany to Esperance drive
As you’ve probably gathered, this WA road trip takes you through some of the state’s best national parks. For that reason, camping is one of the most popular accommodation options, offering a beautiful, cost-effective way to see the best sights along this coastal road trip itinerary.
- St Mary Inlet Campground: No bookings are required, and the facility operates on a first-come, first-served basis ($15 per adult, $5 per child). Expect basic toilet facilities with no dogs allowed.
- Four Mile Campground: A popular camping area with fifteen campsites accommodating both tents and caravans. Make sure to book ahead as spots fill up quickly ($20 per adult, $5 per child).
- Benwenerup campground: Located on the Stokes Inlet, no bookings are required ($15 per adult, $5 per child).
- Le Grand Beach Campground: Another popular camping spot, make sure to book ahead to avoid missing out ($20 per adult, $5 per child).
- Lucky Bay campground: Located near Esperance, this is a large campground located on the western side of an iconic WA beach. Bookings are essential ($20 per adult, $5 per child).
Once you arrive in Esperance, consider staying at The Jetty Resort, Esperance Island View Apartments or RAC Esperance Holiday Park. Why not consider pitching a tent in one of the best Esperance camping spots, too?
Top places to eat and drink on your Albany to Esperance drive
- Albany Farmers’ Market: Before you depart, stock up on delicious fresh produce from this iconic local market (held every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm on Collie Street in Albany).
- Liberte, Albany: Winner of the Australia Good Food Award in 2020, expect a Parisan-inspired bar serving delicious Vietnamese food located within the historic London Hotel in Albany.
- Yummylicious Candy Shack: Need a sweet treat during your road trip? Located in Ravensthorpe, this shop is home to the largest free-standing lollipop in the world.
- FishFace, Esperance: A top-notch spot to grab traditional fish and chips along with fresh, locally caught seafood dishes.
- Bread Local, Esperance: Enjoy freshly baked bread, sweet treats and savoury pastries from this beloved local bakery.
- Lucky Bay Brewing: Sip award-winning craft beers brewed in the heart of WA’s barley-producing region.
Top places to stop between Albany and Esperance
From beautiful beaches to hiking trails offering spectacular views, there’s no shortage of epic places to stop along your road trip from Albany to Esperance.
Best national parks between Albany and Esperance
Pack your hiking shoes and plenty of sunscreen before exploring the top national parks situated along this road trip itinerary.
- Fitzgerald River National Park: Expect everything from wildflowers to whale watching, along with rare plant species (fun fact: there are 75 plants located at this park that you can’t find anywhere else!).
- Stirling Range National Park: Experienced hikers will love the epic journey to Bluff Knoll, with this park located in the Stirling Ranges, an incredible 1000m above sea level.
- Cape Le Grand National Park: Located an easy 45-minute drive east of Esperance, don’t miss the chance to tackle the Le Grand Coastal Track and climb to the top of Frenchman Peak.
- Cape Arid National Park: Keep the drive going and head 125 km east of Esperance to explore the wild, remote Cape Arid National Park. Keep in mind that a high-clearance 4WD is required for most of the roads in this park and roads are usually closed in wet weather conditions.
Best beaches between Albany and Esperance
Take a dip and cool off in the crystal clear waters of these top beaches situated along your Albany to Esperance itinerary.
- Two People’s Bay: Situated just 35 km from Albany, the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve protects rare animals. It’s a stunning location to take a dip in sparkling waters, too.
- Blossoms Beach and Native Dog Beach in Bremer Bay: Head to this beautiful coastal town to experience rugged coastline and beaches stretching for many kilometres.
- Lucky Bay: Grab your camera and enjoy a swim along the white sands of Lucky Bay, situated in the Cape Le Grand National Park.
- West Beach: Located in Esperance, this is a small bay perfect for fishing, whale watching and venturing along the coastline.
- Twilight Cove: This top notch fishing spot offers 70m cliffs and white sands, making it a wonderful place to spend an afternoon exploring the coastline of Esperance.
Best family-friendly spots to visit between Albany and Esperance
Travelling with kids? Add these family-friendly activities to your road trip itinerary.
- National Anzac Centre, Albany: Visit one of the most important museums honouring the Anzac legend, with a range of engaging interactive displays for exploration.
- Castle Rock: This stunning picnic area is also the start of the Granite Skywalk, offering lookouts stretching across Albany, Mount Gardner and the Stirling Ranges.
- Pink Lake and Rainbow Lakes: Situated near Esperance, visit from June to January for the best chance of seeing these Pink Lakes. Keep in mind these lakes change colour depending on climate and environmental conditions.
WA road trip guide: Keep the drive going
Tackle these epic road trip itineraries across WA and beyond to make the most of your time in Western Australia.
- Albany to Bremer Bay road trip
- Perth to Adelaide road trip
- Perth to Melbourne road trip
- Perth to Darwin road trip
Albany to Esperance drive: Frequently asked questions
How far is Esperance from Albany by car?
Esperance is just under 500 km from Albany, with a drive time of around 5 hours via National Route 1.
What is halfway between Albany and Esperance?
Bremer Bay is situated halfway between Albany and Esperance, situated six and a half hours drive from Perth.
Is it worth driving to Esperance?
Absolutely! The drive to Esperance is totally worth it, brimming with natural beauty, coastal scenery and pristine beaches. From national parks to fishing spots, natural lovers will be in for a treat with a road trip to Esperance.
How far is Lucky Bay from Esperance?
Lucky Bay is just under an hour’s drive from Esperance (63.6 km) via Merivale Road and Cape Le Grand Road.
Final advice for the Albany to Esperance drive of a lifetime
With so much on offer, the Albany and Esperance drive promises to be the trip of a lifetime as you explore Australia’s best national parks and pristine coastline.
Lucinda Starr
Lucinda is a Sydney-based content specialist and avid road tripper. Having travelled across Asia, North America and the South Pacific, she's experienced everything from glamping in a Yurt in -30 degrees in The Yukon, snorkelling in the open seas of Vanuatu and hiking the rocky alps of Kamikochi in Japan. She's currently planning her next overseas adventure, a toss-up between a classic #EuroSummer or a multi-day trek through Nepal.
