National park · Australia
Cape Le Grand National Park
Day trip from Esperance: drive 50 km (31 mi), pay A$17 per vehicle, climb Frenchman Peak (2 h return) and swim at Lucky Bay before 10:00; camp at Lucky Bay for A$11 per adult per night if you want the beaches at dawn.Day trip from Esperance: drive 50 km (31 mi), pay A$17 per vehicle, climb Frenchman Peak (2 h return) and swim at Lucky Bay before 10:00 AM; camp at Lucky Bay for A$11 per adult per night if you want the beaches at dawn.Day trip from Esperance: drive 31 mi (50 km), pay A$17 per vehicle, climb Frenchman Peak (2 h return) and swim at Lucky Bay before 10:00; camp at Lucky Bay for A$11 per adult per night if you want the beaches at dawn.Day trip from Esperance: drive 31 mi (50 km), pay A$17 per vehicle, climb Frenchman Peak (2 h return) and swim at Lucky Bay before 10:00 AM; camp at Lucky Bay for A$11 per adult per night if you want the beaches at dawn.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
318 km² (123 sq mi)123 sq mi (318 km²)
approximate
Established
1966
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 318 km² (123 sq mi)123 sq mi (318 km²)
- Park area figures vary by source; roughly 318 km² of coast, heath and granite (check).
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Cape Le Grand protects a 318 km² stretch of the southern Western Australian coast about 50 km east of Esperance: white sand bays between granite headlands, heath-covered sandplain behind them, and three bare granite peaks — Frenchman Peak (262 m), Mount Le Grand (345 m) and Mississippi Hill (180 m). It was declared a national park in 1966 and is managed by the state parks authority. Most visitors come as a day trip from Esperance and drive the sealed park road between Le Grand Beach, Hellfire Bay, Thistle Cove, Lucky Bay and Rossiter Bay. Two basic campsites inside the park are the only places to sleep within the boundary, which is what makes an overnight stay worth considering: the beaches are empty at dawn and the kangaroos come out at dusk. The weather is the main planning constraint — mild, erratic summers and cold, windy, wet winters — and the ocean is the main safety constraint.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1966.
Size and age
318 km² (123 sq mi)123 sq mi (318 km²) · national park since 1966
Park area figures vary by source; roughly 318 km² of coast, heath and granite (check).
Why go
- Some of the whitest sand in Australia, in bays that stay near-empty outside school holidays.
- Frenchman Peak is a 262 m granite cone you can climb in under an hour for a full view of the coast.
- Kangaroos graze on the beaches and around the campsites, unbothered by people.
- A 15 km (9.3 mi) coastal walk links five bays, with a road at each end of every section.A 9.3 mi (15 km) coastal walk links five bays, with a road at each end of every section.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanMild summer days, around 25°C (77°F); book campsites earlyMild summer days, around 77°F (25°C); book campsites early
- FebWarm and dry; beaches at their best
- MarWarm, quieter than January
- AprMild; lightest winds for diving
- MayCooler; rain starts
- JunAround 18°C (64°F) days, 8°C (46°F) nights; Antarctic windsAround 64°F (18°C) days, 46°F (8°C) nights; Antarctic winds
- JulColdest, wettest, windiest
- AugCold and showery; wildflowers begin
- SepWildflower season; changeable weather
- OctWildflowers and whales offshore
- NovWhales calving offshore; Christmas tree flowers
- DecWarm; school holidays fill the campsites
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western grey kangaroos on beaches and in campsitesAll year · Most visible in the early morning and at dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Southern right whales offshoreOct–Nov · Calving season; watch from the headlands. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Wildflowers, including banksia and grass treesSep–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Native Christmas tree in flowerNov–Jan | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Honey possum, quenda and bandicootAll year · Nocturnal and rarely seen. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Esperance
Fisheries Road, then Merivale Road and Cape Le Grand Road to the entrance station.
45–60 min
From Perth
Fly or drive to Esperance, then the park road; the drive is long, so most people base in town.
8 h drive
Open the page →
From Wylie Bay by 4WD
30 km (19 mi) along the beach to Le Grand Beach campsite; soft sand and tides.19 mi (30 km) along the beach to Le Grand Beach campsite; soft sand and tides.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lucky Bay and Rossiter Bay | The main beach, campsite, kangaroos and the eastern end of the coastal walk. | Sealed road; entry fee; campsite booked ahead. |
| Thistle Cove and Hellfire Bay | Granite headlands, sculpted boulders, picnic and BBQ areas. | Sealed road; day use only. |
| Le Grand Beach | The long flat beach, campsite and western trailhead. | Sealed road, or 4WD along the beach from Wylie Bay. |
| Inland peaks | Frenchman Peak, Mount Le Grand and Mississippi Hill above the heath. | Walk-up routes from the road; no permit needed. |
Sketch map
- 1Park entrance station · Gate≈-33.824, 121.986On Cape Le Grand Road, about 50 km (31 mi) from Esperance.On Cape Le Grand Road, about 31 mi (50 km) from Esperance.Map ↗
- 2Frenchman Peak · Summit≈-33.947, 122.156Map ↗
- 3Le Grand Beach campsite · Sleep≈-33.976, 122.135Map ↗
- 4Hellfire Bay · Beach≈-33.967, 122.169Map ↗
- 5Thistle Cove · Beach≈-33.986, 122.196Map ↗
- 6Lucky Bay campsite · Sleep≈-33.992, 122.231Map ↗
- 7Rossiter Bay · Beach≈-33.975, 122.268Map ↗
- 8Esperance · Town≈-33.861, 121.892Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the park road and coast, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry, per vehicle (up to 12 occupants) | AUD 17 (≈ US$12) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; standard WA park fee, paid at the entrance station (check current rate). |
| Park entry, per person on foot or bicycle | AUD 8 (≈ US$6) | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Lucky Bay campsite | AUD 11 (≈ US$8) | adult per night | 2026 estimate; collected by the ranger on rounds. Children usually pay less (check). |
| Le Grand Beach campsite | AUD 11 (≈ US$8) | adult per night | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Holiday park pass (4 weeks of WA parks) | AUD 60 (≈ US$40) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; worth it only if you visit several WA parks in a month (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping at Lucky Bay or Le Grand Beach permit or guide
Le Grand Beach 4WD access no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$17≈ US$12
- A$8≈ US$6
- A$11≈ US$8
- A$11≈ US$8
- A$60≈ US$40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Government of Western Australia — park entry fees before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only at the Lucky Bay and Le Grand Beach campsites; no camping in car parks or elsewhere in the park.
- Fires
- Open fires are not allowed; use the gas BBQs at Hellfire Bay, Lucky Bay and Le Grand Beach.
- Water
- Treated rainwater taps at both campsites; there is no other drinking water in the park.
- Dogs and pets
- Not allowed in the park (check).
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from the parks authority (check).
- Beach driving
- Only the Le Grand Beach route from Wylie Bay; 4WD required and tides must be checked.
Where to stay
In the park
Lucky Bay campsite
Sheltered sites behind the beach; the most popular and the first to fill.
In the park
Le Grand Beach campsite
Spaced caravan bays behind the dunes at the western end.
Near the park
Esperance
Motels, hostels and caravan parks, 50 km (31 mi) from the entrance.Motels, hostels and caravan parks, 31 mi (50 km) from the entrance.
Safety
King waves and rips high
Rock scrambling on Frenchman Peak and Mount Le Grand medium
No mobile reception medium
Heat and exposure on the coastal walk medium
Snakes around granite outcrops low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Hellfire Bay has wheelchair-accessible toilets and a short path to the beach viewpoint.
- Lucky Bay and Le Grand Beach have accessible toilets and flat ground around the campsites.
- The peaks and the coastal walk are rough and steep; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked routes on the granite; the surfaces are easily eroded.
- Keep food sealed and never feed the kangaroos, even when they approach you.
- Take all rubbish out; bins are limited and wildlife gets into them.
- Use the rainwater taps sparingly; the park has no mains supply.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cape Le Grand National Park?
Park entry is charged per vehicle, with a lower per-person rate for walkers and cyclists; the standard WA park fee applies and is paid at the entrance station on Cape Le Grand Road. Camping at Lucky Bay or Le Grand Beach is charged per adult per night on top of entry, collected by the ranger. Rates change, so check the parks authority page before you go.
What are the best hikes in Cape Le Grand National Park?
Frenchman Peak is the classic: 2 hours return with a scramble near the top. The 15 km coastal walk from Le Grand Beach to Rossiter Bay links five bays and takes 6–8 hours one way, but each of its four sections has road access, so you can walk just one. Mount Le Grand is the hardest, with no marked path to the 345 m summit.
When is the best time to visit Cape Le Grand National Park?
December to April for warm, mostly dry beach weather, and September to November for wildflowers and whales offshore. Winter (June to August) is cold, wet and windy, with daytime temperatures around 18°C and Antarctic winds. The weather here changes fast in any month, so carry a shell even on a blue-sky day.
Can you swim at Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay?
Yes, the bays are the safest swimming in the park, but there is no patrolled beach. Rips can form where there is reef offshore, and king waves are unpredictable along this coast. Swim in calm conditions, stay shallow, and keep children close.
Do I need a 4WD to reach Cape Le Grand?
No. Sealed roads run from Esperance to the entrance and on to the main beaches and both campsites. A 4WD is only needed for the beach route from Wylie Bay to Le Grand Beach, which is tidal and soft.
Can you camp in Cape Le Grand National Park?
Only at the two campsites, Lucky Bay and Le Grand Beach. Both have rainwater taps, solar-heated showers and a campers kitchen with gas BBQs. Lucky Bay fills first, especially on long weekends and during school holidays, so book ahead.
Is there mobile phone reception in the park?
Coverage is patchy to non-existent. Do not rely on a phone for emergencies; rangers live at the entrance and at Lucky Bay and can assist. Tell someone your plans before you set out.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go