The best camping near Cape Le Grand National Park

On the southern coast of Western Australia—about 740 kilometres from Perth but only 48 kilometres from the nearest town of Esperance—the Cape Le Grand National Park contains rugged coastline, granite outcrops, and white-sand beaches. Visitors come to hike, hang out on the beach, go kayaking or boating, fish, and enjoy other outdoor activities in or beside the sea. There are two basic campsites within the park itself, and more options in nearby Esperance. It’s a must-visit park on road trips through southern Western Australia or when en route to South Australia via the Great Australian Bight.

• Best for groups: Large Lucky Bay Campground has 56 sites.
• Best for beach lovers: Le Grand Beach Campground has 10 sites behind the dunes.

1. Bookings are essential and can be made online (via the Explore Parks WA website) up to 180 days in advance. Booking early is advisable if you’re travelling at the most popular times, especially midsummer.
2. When booking during the WA school holidays, a maximum stay of 14 nights is permitted. At other times, you can stay for up to 28 days.
3. Specific sites within the campgrounds can’t be reserved, so arrive nice and early on the day of your booking to grab your desired site.

Spring is an especially good time to visit Cape Le Grand National Park, partly because the weather is warm but not too hot, and partly because wildflowers bloom and the park becomes a riot of colour. The park is especially busy during the Australian school summer holidays, but this is a good time to visit if you want to spend time on the beach and in the sea.

• There’s an entry fee to the park, plus extra fees for vehicles. You can pay at the Entry Station to the park.
• Feral bees can cause a problem in the park, so carry the appropriate medications if you’re allergic to stings, and stay far away from active beehives. 
• Beach driving is allowed in the park but only those with 4WD should attempt to do so. It’s easy to get stuck, so take extreme care.
• Hikers can attempt the challenging 20-kilometre Le Grand Coastal Trail, or the shorter, 3-kilometre hike up Frenchman Peak, the park’s distinctive 262-metre peak.