Esperance, on a map, looks like it’s in the middle of nowhere. By car, though, it’s only 5 hours from Albany and 7 from Perth, Australia. (That is, of course, assuming you don’t stop anywhere for a pee break, petrol, or a meal – not to mention stopping at one of the amazing beaches along the way!) This part of Western Australia is called the Golden Outback, and with good reason. It’s rarely visited, yet has some of Australia’s most spectacular scenery. Wave Rock, mentioned in yesterday’s post about Margaret River, is accessible from here as well. Kalgoorlie is a popular outback gold rush town. And if you’re looking for kangaroos on beaches, this is where you’ll find them.
Esperance, Western Australia
Esperance is a beach lover’s heaven. The seas are turquoise, the beaches are white. It’s got great snorkelling, diving, and surfing as well. To top it off there’s some fun and exciting inland activities like four wheel drive safaris and sandboarding. The town of Esperance has great food and drink. Since it attracts a young crowd, it’s a little more free spirited than, say, Albany. If you’re into weird roadside attractions, there is a full-size replica of Stonehenge nearby.
Don’t miss exploring the Recherche Archipelago that lies just offshore. To make the most of it, you might consider hiring a sailboat to take you out for the day. There are hundreds of little islands to visit, including one that has a lovely pink lake in the middle! And of course, I’d be amiss if I didn’t once again mention the kangaroos lounging on the beaches!
Kalgoorlie and the gold rush
Kalgoorlie is the largest city in Australia’s southwestern outback. The town is about It dates back to the 1880s, when thousands of people made for Western Australia to try their hand at finding gold. Some did strike it big, and they’re memorialised in this totally Western town. North of Kalgoolie, you’ll find the salt flats of Lake Ballard, and still further north you will find the home of former US President Herbert Hoover.
(After graduating from Stanford and working in the mines of Nevada and Wyoming, Hoover accepted a mine manager position in Western Australia. He lived there for quite some time, returned home to marry, and then brought his family back. After Australia, they went to China. He eventually started his own mining consultancy and moved around the globe. His path to the presidency came about when Woodrow Wilson appointed him to a cabinet position.) < #themoreyouknow 😉
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Western Australia is amazing, but you definitely need time if you’re going to get out of Perth and into the outback. Find the links here at the end of the week or check my Facebook page for the recent posts!
|| Margaret River || Esperance || Exmouth || Broome ||
