We spent 7 days driving from Perth to Esperance and back, and honestly? What a treat.
Look, campervan holidays aren’t usually our thing. We like a hotel. We like a pool. We like plug sockets that definitely work.
But if you want to see this part of Western Australia properly, a campervan is probably the best way to do it…and we ended up loving every second.
Here’s exactly how we did our Perth to Esperance road trip, where we stayed, and what not to miss along the way.
Our Campervan
We booked through Peterpans and went with Apollo for the van.
Pickup was straightforward in Perth, and once we were loaded up and slightly overwhelmed by how many buttons a campervan has…we hit the road.
Perth to Esperance Road Trip Route Overview
🗺 Perth to Esperance Road Trip Route (7 Days)
- Perth → Margaret River (2 nights)
- Margaret River → Albany (1 night, via Denmark)
- Albany → Lucky Bay, Esperance (2–3 nights)
- Esperance → Wave Rock (1 night)
- Wave Rock → Perth
💡 Tip: Stock up before Cape Le Grand National Park — Lucky Bay is off-grid with limited facilities.
Stop 1: Margaret River (2 Nights)
Drive time from Perth: ~3 hours
Margaret River is Western Australia’s famous wine region, and it is stunning.
Rolling vineyards, dramatic coastline, sleepy beach towns… it’s the perfect first stop to ease into road trip mode.
We stayed at Hamelin Bay Holiday Park, which was lovely and in a great location. The campsite has:
- Direct beach access
- A beautiful coastal walk
- Resident stingrays you can see from the shore (yes, really)
Alongside visiting local wineries, make sure you stop at Margaret River Bakery. Elite carb stop. No further notes.
Stop 2: Albany (1 Night)
Drive time from Margaret River: ~4 hours (via Denmark)
We broke up the drive by stopping in Denmark, which is absolutely worth it for coffee and coastal views.
In Albany, we stayed at the BIG4 Campground, which was right on the beach – a brilliant location.
While in Albany:
- Visit the Albany Whaling Station
- Head to The Gap – dramatic cliffs and wild Southern Ocean views
- Walk along the coastline (it feels properly rugged here)
Albany feels wilder than Margaret River; less polished, more dramatic.
Stop 3: Lucky Bay, Esperance (2–3 Nights)
Drive time from Albany: ~5 hours
This is where things get special.
We stayed at Lucky Bay Campground in Cape Le Grand National Park, and it is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever stayed.
But let’s be real about it.
What to Know Before Staying at Lucky Bay Campground:
- No powered sites
- No water hook-ups
- Very limited WiFi (only near the entrance, and even then… barely)
- Showers are hit and miss temperature-wise
- Nearest supermarket is back in Esperance town
This is off-grid camping.
Charge everything. Stock up properly. Be prepared.
And then enjoy being completely disconnected.
Because Lucky Bay Beach – regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world – is right there.
White sand. Turquoise water. Kangaroos on the beach (well, if you’re lucky! If not, just Kangaroos on the campsite!)
There’s also a beautiful coastal walk and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities.
Bonus: Great Ocean Drive (Esperance)
From Lucky Bay, take a drive along Great Ocean Drive (not to be confused with Victoria’s Great Ocean Road).
Stop at:
- Twilight Bay
- Blue Haven Beach
- Various breathtaking lookouts
You can also explore more of Cape Le Grand National Park by car or on foot, straight from the campground.
Esperance might just have some of the best beaches in Australia. Well actually, it does have some of the best beaches in Australia. And the world. As voted for!
Stop 4: Wave Rock (1 Night)
After our time in Esperance and heading back towards Perth, we drove inland to Wave Rock Short Stay.
This was next-level remote.
Okay, technically it’s fairly near a main road. But once you’re inside the campground? It feels like you’re miles from anywhere.
We did, admittedly, drive up and down the same road several times trying to find it. But it was dark. We were tired. Let’s move on.
The campsite itself is proper wilderness camping:
- Two bathrooms
- No showers
- Epic night skies
- Complete silence
The stars here are unreal.
And of course, Wave Rock itself is worth seeing before you set off back to Perth – a 15-metre-high rock formation shaped exactly like a breaking ocean wave.
It’s surreal in real life.
Final Thoughts on the Perth to Esperance Road Trip
This part of Western Australia is wild, dramatic, and incredibly beautiful.
Yes, campervan life isn’t glamorous.
Yes, you’ll miss long hot showers.
Yes, you’ll occasionally question your life choices while emptying grey water.
But you’ll also:
- Watch stingrays from the shore
- See kangaroos on a beach
- Camp under the clearest stars you’ve ever seen
- Drive some of the most beautiful roads in Australia
And that makes it completely worth it!
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