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Esperance the major icon in the Esperance area has to be Cape le Grand with its amazing beaches, Lucky Bay some say is the best beach in Western Australia if not Australia. Esperance is situated on the southern coast of WA and a 9hr drive from Perth.
The Town of Esperance is located approximately 750 kilometres south of Perth, the Western Australian State capital.
The Town is the main regional centre for the Shire of Esperance which covers an overall area of some 42,450 square kilometres. The population of the Shire is estimated at 13,500. The suburbs and localities of the Town include Castletown, Nulsen, West Beach, Flinders, Pink Lake, Chadwick, Windabout, Bandy Creek, Gibson, Scaddan, Gras Patch, Salmon Gums, Condingup, Coomalbidgup, Cascade and Le Grande.
Esperance enjoys a year round temperate climate and is particularly notable for its sugar white sandy beaches and the turquoise colours of the Southern Ocean. Superb blue water bays and inlets add to the peace and simplicity of the region. High rise structures and crowds are few and far between Esperance instead being characterised by spectacular coastal scenery and an abundance of wildlife including Seals, Dolphins, Whales, Emus, Sea Eagles and reptiles. It is one of the few places in Western Australia where it is possible to see Kangaroos sunbathing on a beach!
The Esperance region is a paradise for lovers of the water and sun. The beaches are considered some of the best in the world and provide an ideal setting for fishing, surfing, sailing and sand boarding.
The surrounding Recherche Archipelago consists of over 100 coastal islands. Crystal clear water provides the perfect environment for divers and snorkellers.
Local industries include unique handicrafts such as leather souvenirs made from local Shark and fish skins. The region also provides grain/cereal growing, wool/lambs, beef, cattle, pigs, fish processing, salt works, abattoir, wine production and the Esperance Port which processes exports of iron ore, nickel and grain.
Significant local events include the Esperance Archipelago Offshore Angling Classic in February, the Golden Open Squash Championships in March, the Easter Swim Through in October and the biennial 'Festival of the Wind'.
The warm sun, fresh clean environment and long stretches of isolated beaches make this the ideal place to 'get away from it all'. The best way to view the regions treasures is via the spectacular Great Ocean Drive.
Town of Esperance.
The Town is nestled on the shores of Esperance Bay and has a population of around 9,000. The numerous islands of the Recherche Archipelago act as a necklace to the Town the Bay being commonly referred to as 'The Bay of Isles'.
European history dates back to 1627 when the Dutch vessel 'Guild Zeepaard' passed through the blue waters off the Esperance coast. Esperance and the Recherche Archipelago are named after two French ships 'L'Esperance' and 'Recherche' who were forced to shelter in the Bay during heavy storms in 1792.
In 1802 Matthew Flinders explored the area whilst mapping the coastline of the Australian continent. The first non aboriginal settlers were Sealers from the east coast of Australia and Whalers from France and America.
In 1863, the Dempster Brothers drove cattle, sheep and horse from Northam to Esperance and three year's later in 1866 took up a lease of land for 100,000 hectares. Once gold was discovered in Coolgardie in the southern Goldfields some 400 kilometres north, Esperance underwent a dramatic transformation and by 1895, miners from all over the world descended on the Town as the gateway to the Goldfields. Two years later in 1897, Esperance boasted two newspapers, one brewery and four pubs!
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