There arenโt many places in Australia where you can see kangaroos sunbaking on the beach, but at Cape Le Grand National Park this is just one of the many natural attractions on offer.
Located just under an hourโs drive from the coastal town of Esperance, Cape Le Grand is an incredible national park boasting beaches and bays, incredible hikes and climbs, sensational wildflowers in Spring, and so much more. If youโre embarking on The South West Edge 12-day itinerary, youโll spend 2 days discovering this coastal paradise, and we recommend dedicating one of these days to Cape Le Grand National Park. Here are some of the must-do and must-see experiences to tick off before you head back inland on your journey home along The Edge.
Hike Frenchmanโs Peak
As you drive through the national park and down towards the coastline, youโll see Frenchmanโs Peak standing tall above the surrounding landscape. Itโs a steep walk to the summit, but once at the top, youโll be rewarded with panoramic views of the parks natural landscape on one side, and the southern coastline dotted with the island of the Recherche Archipelago on the other. The trail surface is made up of gravel pathways, wooden boardwalks and exposed granite, and the peak is on quite a slope, so we recommend you come prepared with appropriate footwear for this decent climb. Set off in the morning to see the amazing morning sunlight shining across the park from the top.
While youโre at the top, take note of the cave like structure that has formed, which is thought to have formed by wave action and underwater activity around 40 million years ago when Frenchmanโs Peak would have been below sea level. Spend your time at the summit taking in the spectacular views, as you will truly feel at one with nature here.
Note: Do not attempt this climb when itโs raining as the rocks can become very slippery, and the weather at the top can be extremely windy especially in the cooler months.