Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cannery Arts Centre
(1018 Norseman Rd; admission by gold-coin donation; 1-4pm Mon-Fri)
Has artists studios, interesting
exhibitions and a shop selling local artwork. For more local art, pick up the
Esperance Art
Trail
brochure at the visitor centre, listing 14 stops.
GALLERY
Great Ocean Drive
Many of Esperance's most dramatic sights can be seen on this well-signposted 40km loop.
Starting from the waterfront, it heads southwest along the breathtaking stretch of coast
that includes a series of popular surfing and swimming spots, including
Blue Haven Beach
and
Twilight Cove
. Stop to enjoy the rollers breaking against the cliffs from
Observatory Point
and the lookout on
Wireless Hill
. A turn-off leads to the
wind farm
, which supplies about 23%
of Esperance's electricity. Among the turbines there's a walking track, which can be quite
surreal when it's windy - and it often is.
The route then turns back and passes by the
Pink Lake
- or should that be the-lake-
formerly-known-as-pink? Salt-tolerant algae once provided an unmistakeable rosy tint,
but a storm a few years back flushed it out.
SCENIC DRIVE
Ralph Bower Adventureland Park
(Taylor Street Jetty; train rides $3; train rides 9am-4pm Sat & Sun May-Sep, daily Oct-Apr)
F
Popular chil-
dren's playground with a miniature train.
PARK
T
Tours
Esperance Island Cruises
( 08-9071 5757;
www.woodyisland.com.au
; 72 The Esplanade; daily late Sep-May)
Tours include
Esperance Bay and Woody Island in a power catamaran (half-/full day $95/150), getting
close to fur seals, sea lions, Cape Barren geese and (with luck) dolphins. In January,
there's a ferry to Woody Island (adult/child return $60/30).
BOAT
Kepa Kurl Eco Cultural Discovery Tours
( 08-9072 1688;
www.kepakurl.com.au
; Museum Village)
S
Explore the country from an Aboriginal
perspective: visit rock-art and waterholes, sample bush food and hear ancient stories
(adult/child $105/90, minimum of two people).
INDIGENOUS CULTURE
Eco-Discovery Tours
DRIVING TOUR
