Lucky Bay | Physio my way

Locations: Hopetoun, Esperance

Regions: SouthEast

Dates: Sat 10 Feb – Fri 16 Feb

Temperatures: 13 – 40 Degrees

Saturday 10 February 19 – 40 degrees

We left Hopetoun around 10am and head back up the highway towards Ravensworth before turning left onto the Jerdacuttup Road.

Along the way we stop to see items of the Farm Gate Art trail exhibit that we’d glimpsed on the way in to Hopetoun.

With temperatures reaching 40 on the highway, once again as we approach Esperance and the coast, the temperature drops to a much more comfortable 27 degrees on arrival. We are staying for six days at the Esperance Bay Holiday Park which is at the end of the Esplanade adjacent to the Port Harbour.

After setting up we take a long walk along the Esplanade and the Jetty. The path is lined with towering pines – Norfolk I think and the esplanade has lots of interesting activities for children including a bike track, a mini railway, a skate park and several dedicated swimming areas, one with a pontoon and swimming lanes!

Back at the van we finish the day with Lamb Roast and chargrilled vege then enjoy drinks with our neighbours Tony and Dale from Glebe NSW and Mark and Sue from Sunshine Coast QLD.

Sunday 11 February, temp 18 – 37

On Sunday we head to the local market for an early breakfast, a shared egg, spinach and bacon wrap, a lamb roti and two coffees.

We explore the market stalls and purchase a dozen black figs and 10 green ones – we both enjoy figs with Gorgonzola as a treat.

During the midday heat we relax and I catch up on some washing and as the afternoon cools we head out to see the Pink Lake and explore Ocean Drive.

Despite its name Pink lake has not been the bubblegum pink of previous years since about 2017. This is due to changes in climate and salt levels. Hopeful it will one day be this pink again but today it is pale blue/green.

This picture courtesy Wikipedia.

How it used to look.

Ocean drive extends past Pink Lake, behind Esperance and to the Indian Ocean then back to Esperance

Monday 12 February, temp 18 – 24

Today we head out to explore Cape Le Grande National Park. About 12km out we visit Esperance Stonehenge. I had read about this place and was keen to visit. It doesn’t disappoint and it really is a wonder. Original started in 2002 but later stalled due to finance. It was taken up by a local farmer in 2010 and completed 2011. It is a complete replica of what Stonehenge was when built including lining up for summer and winter solstice but rather than Sandstone is made of Pink Granite.

Its quirkiness, set here in WA takes me and I feel complete as my visit to the original in 2019 was somewhat disappointing due to it being fenced off and not being able to wander the stones. For good reason no doubt but still… here we could wander at will, touch and admire the beauty of the design and concept. Awesome. Love it!

Onward to Cape Le Grand National Park about 53km from Esperance.

First stop is Cape Le Grand beach. There is a camp ground here and a 18.5km coastal walking trail through to Rossiter Bay via Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove and Lucky Bay. Some parts are level 5 but it looks like an interesting walk. Perhaps for another visit.

We then head to Frenchman Peak, a 262m elevation level 5 walk Rob is keen to tackle. I sit this one out due to some tendinitis in my left foot, admiring the view and writing.

On his return we then head for Lucky Bay, so named by Matthew Flinders when he stopped there in the xx in 1798 and also touted to be the whitest beach in Australia with squeaky sand. It doesn’t disappoint and although the water is cool – estimate 15 degrees we enjoy a lovely dip.