In March, we headed off on a 3 week 4WDing trip, starting 200km east of Esperance, and heading right the way around the coast back up to Dunsborough. The photos below are from the first 11 days which we spent around Esperance. This is a place that will certainly not be forgotten, and hopefully these photos will inspire you to pack the fourby and head off on a trip of a lifetime!
Driving down to EsperanceAiring down to start the 4WD trip to Israelite BayThe start of the 4WD section to Israelite BayCorrugations on the 4WD track into Israelite BayMore of Fisheries Road on the way to IsraeliteWell and truly stuckAnother shot of the stuck cruiserSeriously bogged in a salt lake near Israelite Bay4 snatch straps joined together and it only just reached off the salt lakeThe stinky hole. Want to read about it? Check out Bogged in a salt lake.Absolutely covered in stinky mudExploring the ruins at Israelite BayFound a huge boat washed up on the shoreFull of sandTaking photos inside the boatA photo through a bullet hole in the windowSeaweed collected by my tail shaftEnjoying the crystal clear water at Israelite BayA big 80 at Israelite Bay, navigating the rocksCalling in at Point Malcolm on the way to Thomas RiverNext stop, Thomas RiverSpectacular beach that stretches for 29kmWatching the waves near Cape AridThe view from part way up Cape AridCatching a salmon from the beach just near Thomas RiverOccasionally you get something bigger, which was caught by hand!The sunsets were magicWhat a way to end the dayWe spent a lot of time on the beach, and why wouldn’t you when it looks like this?Little Tagon Bay at Thomas RiverWild geese on the beachSpearfishing from a kayak; lots of funWhen you can get fish like these, its all worth it!Even if you do bring the sharks around!Every now and again something else comes around – a surfing sealOf course, there has to be a reason it hangs around!Once it’s had a feed, you won’t get rid of it!The fish just kept rolling inExploring the 4WD tracks around Cape AridEnjoying a shower from the solar shower bags at the end of the dayGetting hammered by the waves on the way out in the kayak at Big Tagon BeachThere were plenty of friendly animals around!Driving from Point Malcolm to Thomas River via the Telegraph TrackA view from the top of the cruiser on the Telegraph TrackEvery now and again you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time!Sometimes it’s worse than others!Next stop, Duke of Orleans BayWhere each beach is just as good as the one you’ve just come from!And the 4WDing opportunities are second to none for a coastal locationEvery day, you can find your own little beachPlenty of places to exploreA 4WD will open your access incrediblyWalking from beach to beachOnce you have driven as far as possible!Plenty of cheeky birds at the Caravan ParkRelaxing back at the Caravan ParkOur camp site at Orleans Caravan ParkWhat you drive upYou must drive down!This looked like a challengeSo we walked to the topWe bumped into a Hilux that had been rolled pretty badlyI doubt that will be back on the road againThis poor bloke learned a hard lesson: a kill switch that pulls out when you fall out of a boat is very useful!On the way to Esperance we called in at Lucky BayThe beach is incredible, and certainly lives up to it’s reputationSome of the Lucky Bay localsThe cruiser was begging for a wash, and about $30 later it was looking reasonably cleanOn the way to our next camp site, we stopped in at a place I will be back to dive!Stokes InletThe inlet was different to any water body I’ve been to beforeThe DPAW have done a cracking job with awesome facilitiesWell done to the DPAWThe locals are friendlyAlthough, maybe I should take that backEndangered birds at the inletCatching a feed from another inlet in Stokes National ParkEnjoying Torradup inlet with no one around for milesA quick 4WD track to Young RiverThings don’t always go to plan, like the leaking differentialNothing a few tools can’t fix
Honestly, I probably wouldn’t go to Israelite Bay again. It’s a long way out to get to a beach that is covered in seaweed. If it was a toss up between Cape Arid and Israelite, I’d be going straight to Thomas River, where the camp sites are great and the beaches in the area are considerably better. Orleans Bay is also incredible, and both were much more enjoyed by everyone on our trip than Israelite Bay. There are much better 4WDing options and better choice for getting out of the wind.
Aaron
I’m hoping to be able to get out towards Isrelite Bay and Cape Arid but might have to scale it back a bit due to the age old problem of money 🙁 Will be in Esperance the ANZAC day weekend though to see friends and will do the long drive home Sunday.
Hey Alex,
We did well with the weather in Esperance. It rained and was a bit overcast on a number of days at Bremer/Albany/Denmark, but overall we were pretty lucky. More photos to come soon, of the rest of the trip!
Aaron
Cracker weather in a cracker place. Glad it went well – the adventures are just a good marinade really, making the whole thing more memorable. We will be going back down there as soon as
Great photo’s
Alex
It was absolutely awesome mate; well and truly worth the visit. Where are you visiting down there?
Aaron
Hi Aaron! Looks like you guys had a blast (but who wouldn’t?!) . Looking forward to our few days down that way at Easter time/ANZAC day!
Thanks! It truly is an awesome place. Maybe we will bump into you down there sometime!
Aaron
I agree, it is a wonderful area to explore and definitely on our ‘return to’ list as well.
Fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing and inspiring 😀
Hey mate,
Honestly, I probably wouldn’t go to Israelite Bay again. It’s a long way out to get to a beach that is covered in seaweed. If it was a toss up between Cape Arid and Israelite, I’d be going straight to Thomas River, where the camp sites are great and the beaches in the area are considerably better. Orleans Bay is also incredible, and both were much more enjoyed by everyone on our trip than Israelite Bay. There are much better 4WDing options and better choice for getting out of the wind.
Aaron
I’m hoping to be able to get out towards Isrelite Bay and Cape Arid but might have to scale it back a bit due to the age old problem of money 🙁 Will be in Esperance the ANZAC day weekend though to see friends and will do the long drive home Sunday.
Hey Alex,
We did well with the weather in Esperance. It rained and was a bit overcast on a number of days at Bremer/Albany/Denmark, but overall we were pretty lucky. More photos to come soon, of the rest of the trip!
Aaron
Cracker weather in a cracker place. Glad it went well – the adventures are just a good marinade really, making the whole thing more memorable. We will be going back down there as soon as
Great photo’s
Alex
It was absolutely awesome mate; well and truly worth the visit. Where are you visiting down there?
Aaron
Hi Aaron! Looks like you guys had a blast (but who wouldn’t?!) . Looking forward to our few days down that way at Easter time/ANZAC day!
Thanks! It truly is an awesome place. Maybe we will bump into you down there sometime!
Aaron
I agree, it is a wonderful area to explore and definitely on our ‘return to’ list as well.
Fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing and inspiring 😀