Starting from the Lucky Bay Campground off Lucky Bay Road, Cape Le Grand National Park, this walk takes you along Lucky Bay Beach, past Lucky Bay Lookout, then to the Flinders Monument and back. Lucky Bay is quite iconic and maybe the most popular of all the pristine beaches in Esperance. Aside from having the whitest sand in Australia, Lucky Bay is also famous for its friendly resident kangaroos that love to hang out on the beach. There are over five kilometres of glistening white beachfront to explore, and the turquoise waters are ideal for enjoying water-based activities. Swimming and surfing in this gorgeous bay will surely be rewarding. On the other hand, having a relaxed and quiet fishing session can take your mind of the daily struggles of life. To truly appreciate the beauty of this area, a walk along the beach to the Lucky Bay Lookout is a must, culminating with a spectacular view of the azure waters and pristine landscape. After basking in the beauty of the area, continue further along the beach to view the commemorative plaques paying homage to Matthew Flinders' landing in Lucky Bay in 1802. If you're in a 4WD, you can also drive on the beach, but be careful of soft sand and the rising ocean tide. Check with the ranger about surface conditions and tides, remember to drive slowly and beware of pedestrians and the wildlife that abounds the area. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn right onto Merivale Road and drive for another 25.4 km
Turn right onto Cape Le Grand Road and drive for another 19 km
Turn left onto Rossiter Bay Road and drive for another 8.4 km
Turn right onto Lucky Bay and drive for another 270 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the campsite/carpark off Lucky Bay Road (just northwest of Lucky Bay itself), head towards the beach along the meandering paved road. Pass through the bollard then turn left to head along the beach (Lucky Bay), keeping the ocean to your left. Follow the said beach to continue along Lucky Bay Beach Walk.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Lucky Bay Campground (about 25 m back from the start).
Lucky Bay Campground
Lucky Bay Campground
The large campground at Lucky Bay is ideal for spending a couple of nights under a star-filled sky and strolling along the moonlit bay. You don't need to move a muscle to get some panoramic views as the campsite offers a great angle on the bay. As a plus, fellow kangaroos can give you a visit and make your day better. The camping area is equipped with a variety of tent sites, cabins and caravan parks. Facilities include picnic areas, toilets, solar-heated showers and a camp kitchen equipped with burners and a gas barbecue. There is no drinking water available at the campground, so you will need to bring all your potable water with you for your stay. Campfires are not permitted in the park. Advance bookings are essential and can be done through the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' online campground booking system. You'll be able to pay the camping fee and the national park entry fee at once if you book online. Upon arrival in Cape Le Grand National Park, you must show your booking confirmation to the ranger.
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The large campground at Lucky Bay is ideal for spending a couple of nights under a star-filled sky and strolling along the moonlit bay. You don't need to move a muscle to get some panoramic views as the campsite offers a great angle on the bay. As a plus, fellow kangaroos can give you a visit and make your day better. The camping area is equipped with a variety of tent sites, cabins and caravan parks. Facilities include picnic areas, toilets, solar-heated showers and a camp kitchen equipped with burners and a gas barbecue. There is no drinking water available at the campground, so you will need to bring all your potable water with you for your stay. Campfires are not permitted in the park. Advance bookings are essential and can be done through the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' online campground booking system. You'll be able to pay the camping fee and the national park entry fee at once if you book online. Upon arrival in Cape Le Grand National Park, you must show your booking confirmation to the ranger.
Find the Lucky Bay Cookhouse at the start.
After 90 m find the "Lucky Bay" (35 m on your right).
Lucky Bay
Lucky Bay
Located to the west of Esperance, Lucky Bay forms one edge of the Cape Le Grand National Park, a unique preserve of relict landscapes, flora and fauna. The western headland naturally breaks the wind, making the waters usually calm. Lucky Bay was scientifically proven twice to have the whitest sand of any Australian beach. This was done by gathering sand samples from several beaches across the nation and shook the long-standing claim of Hyams Beach at Jervis Bay to have the whitest sand. Samples had to be collected from the top 10cm in the "active zone" between the water and the dunes. Based on a visual assessment, Lucky Bay was the unanimous choice as the whitest beach ahead of nearby Hellfire Bay and Tallebudgera Creek Beach in Queensland, while Hyams Beach was ranked fifth.
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Located to the west of Esperance, Lucky Bay forms one edge of the Cape Le Grand National Park, a unique preserve of relict landscapes, flora and fauna. The western headland naturally breaks the wind, making the waters usually calm. Lucky Bay was scientifically proven twice to have the whitest sand of any Australian beach. This was done by gathering sand samples from several beaches across the nation and shook the long-standing claim of Hyams Beach at Jervis Bay to have the whitest sand. Samples had to be collected from the top 10cm in the "active zone" between the water and the dunes. Based on a visual assessment, Lucky Bay was the unanimous choice as the whitest beach ahead of nearby Hellfire Bay and Tallebudgera Creek Beach in Queensland, while Hyams Beach was ranked fifth.
After another 105 m find the "Lucky Bean Cafe" (20 m on your left).
Lucky Bean Cafe
Lucky Bean Cafe
During the summer months, look out for the Lucky Bean Cafe, a coffee van that parks up on the east end of the beach. The cafe offers a selection of espresso coffees, teas, fresh juices, toasted sandwiches and ice creams, as well as freshly baked muffins, cakes and indigenous bush damper. They even have chairs arranged on the beach so you can sit back and watch the clear blue ocean while enjoying your order.
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During the summer months, look out for the Lucky Bean Cafe, a coffee van that parks up on the east end of the beach. The cafe offers a selection of espresso coffees, teas, fresh juices, toasted sandwiches and ice creams, as well as freshly baked muffins, cakes and indigenous bush damper. They even have chairs arranged on the beach so you can sit back and watch the clear blue ocean while enjoying your order.
After another 2.3 km veer right.
After another 60 m find the "Lucky Bay Lookout" (30 m on your left).
Lucky Bay Lookout
Lucky Bay Lookout
Nestled among the rocks at a marked historic point is a fantastic lookout. Wooden stairs lead from the beach up to the lookout, which provides sweeping views of Lucky Bay and the granite headlands.
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Nestled among the rocks at a marked historic point is a fantastic lookout. Wooden stairs lead from the beach up to the lookout, which provides sweeping views of Lucky Bay and the granite headlands.
After another 470 m come to "Flinders Monument".
Flinders Monument
Flinders Monument
This monument honours Matthew Flinders as he was the one who named this place Lucky Bay. He named this area "Lucky Bay" when his vessel HMS Investigator took refuge here after a summer storm. Esperance Bay Historical Society placed the monument here in February 1974.
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This monument honours Matthew Flinders as he was the one who named this place Lucky Bay. He named this area "Lucky Bay" when his vessel HMS Investigator took refuge here after a summer storm. Esperance Bay Historical Society placed the monument here in February 1974.
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 3.1 km to get back to the start.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Lucky Bay Beach Walk
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
6.1 km
Time
1 h to 2 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)