Having crossed the amazing Nullabor Plains we turned off the Eyre Highway at Balladonia Roadhouse following the Parmango Rd to Esperance. Perhaps you have seen the crazy ‘bra bush’ or ‘shoe shrub’ beside the road in the middle of nowhere? Well, now we have experience undie-gate! On a lonely 4WD track in outback West Australia!

Seriously? Who comes up with these ideas? Is it an Australian thing?

Half way down this dusty, corrugated track we came upon a historic farm homestead  – Deralinya. The homestead dated back to 1890 and it had been restored in 1990.

Deralinya Homestead. Est 1890

As we travelled further south we were amazed at the transformation of the land – we had left the outback and now passed through farmland around Esperance. The setting sun silhouetting rows of conifers standing tall between the paddocks. We checked into a caravan park for a couple of nights to do some washing, stock up food supplies and do some minor adjustments to the car.

Loose rear door handle = internal dust storms 😦

We explored Esperance via bike in the afternoon. Unfortunately they are doing some major works on the foreshore so it is not looking its best at the moment, but should look fantastic next time!

We were warned that as we were approaching the Easter weekend, it would be very hard to find places to camp, especially in the National Parks. So we set off bright and early Thursday morning to try our luck. We managed to find a pretty spot on Alexander Bay, right in between the two National Parks – Cape Arid NP and Cape Le Grand NP. We sat tight here for 4 nights, fishing, walking and enjoyed some day trips into the National Parks. We were sharing our campsite with a group  from Kalgoorlie. Apparently this area is their coastal playground. We were even lucky enough to be visited by the Easter Bunny as he delivered eggs to all the campsite!

Tucked behind the beach dunes and under the tea trees – Alexander Bay

Panorama of Alexander Bay

Cape Arid and Cape Le Grand were both spectacular as the pictures show.

Duke of Orleans Bay with Archipelago Island

Long stretches of white sand beaches with clear, clean turquoise water.

Dolphin Cove with the vast with the vast white beach beyond – Thomas River, Cape Arid NP

Markus fished off the rocks Dolphin Cove at Cape Arid and caught enough fish for a couple of dinners.

Fresh from the sea 🙂

The Archipelago of the Recherche stretches all along this coastline with many little islands dotted along. These are protected wildlife havens.

Cape Barren Geese are at home in these parks.

Native plants abound in these parks.

 We left Alexander Bay on Easter Monday excited to speak to Belinda once we had phone reception: she had just arrived back in Melbourne after 3 weeks in England & Paris. It was great to catch up with her and hear some of her news. After stocking up we motored around the coastal drive of Esperance and oh my goodness – more beautiful beaches with white sand and turquoise water. This place is amazing!

West Beach, Esperance WA

11 Mile Beach, Esperance WA