Entry 2 – 2026 – February – Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia
We spent a few days at Esperance, staying at an overflow campground, located at the showgrounds. A couple we had met at Litchfield National Park in 2024, also happened to be at the Esperance showgrounds. There were a few “cuppas and chats,” along with an Esperance ocean waters experience. Thanks John and Jill for the good times.
With our fridge and pantry at full capacity we headed to our first main target location for 2026, Cape Le Grand National Park. It is a popular destination, with a need to book a camp site with payment around six months in advance. There was a sense of excitement on the day we departed Esperance, driving down the road a bit to the N.P. On arrival at the camp ground, we had a choice of two available camp sites and we were thankful one of the sites was able to accommodate our needs.
Within a few minutes of our arrival, the camp ground host approached us with a clipboard in hand. Confirming we did have a booking and acknowledged our arrival on their clipboard records.
At popular, busy locations like Cape Le Grand, National Parks utilize camp ground hosts for visitor needs. This includes monitoring arrivals, cleaning of toilets and a campground kitchen situated at this location. They also provide information and assistance to visitors. These campground hosts love to help their fellow human being. As the host said to us; “I love it! If I was paid in a role as a campground host, I wouldn’t be doing it!”
Western Australian National Park’s permit maximum periods of up to 28 days camping in their N.P.’s during non-peak periods. We were very lucky to have secured a camp site for a 28-day period. This was to be the longest period of time we had ever stayed at a N.P. during a single stay. Something new for us. It provided that opportunity to “slow down” and enjoy the surrounds.
Our first week coincided with a period of inclement weather. The sky was constantly overcast, with a teasing sign of beautiful blue sky for short periods before becoming engulfed by clouds again. There were a couple of days of constant rain and sprinkles of rain other days. The ocean generated winds blew constantly, often making it uncomfortable to be outside. The thick cloud cover negated any chance of a beautiful sunset or sunrise.
Some nights later we were rewarded with a slightly better sunset.
We had been looking forward to our Cape Le Grand experience and were somewhat disappointed with the prevailing weather conditions. It was summer where one can expect hot sunny days.
And yet the setting of the camp ground was delightful viewing, tingling our feel-good senses. There was the rugged looking background setting with large granite outcrops, surrounded by low heathlands. The white beach with beautiful blue, turquoise-coloured waters were grand viewing and some of the most pleasant feeling sand we had ever walked upon. If you managed to wake early morning with a walk around the camp ground you were guaranteed to see kangaroos about. It was a charming location.
We were happy to “just,” stay put, waiting for an appearance of more favourable weather conditions to enhance our experience, exploring other areas of Cape Le Grand N.P.
Near the end of our first week the weather forecasters predicted a single sunny day. We decided to take advantage of the sunshine with some exploring, seeking out other locations within the N.P. Hellfire Bay looked magnificent.
We thoroughly enjoyed the walk from Hellfire Bay to Little Hellfire Bay. It was wonderful being able to get close to the many outcrops of dense thickets of showy banksia’s we had observed in the distance, travelling along the roads in the N.P.
Little Hellfire Bay looked inviting. We walked to the other end of the beach, cooling our ankles in the fresh ocean water. It was a fabulous setting enticing you to sit, admiring the view.
The sunny day coincided with the weekend and quite an influx of daytime visitors. Lucky Bay was an exceptionally popular location.
Another day the surf at our beach looked inviting. We both enjoyed riding the boogie boards in the surf. We slept well that night after plenty of exercise in the water. A couple of days later Steve was watching the build-up of more surf. He thought it looked larger than our previous venture into the water. Mary decided to stay on the beach, obtaining some photographic evidence of Steve tackling the waves. You don’t really appreciate the size of the waves until you are up close and personal with them in the water.
Steve did obtain a few nice rides, in between some punishing surf. His body felt rather weary by nightfall. His wrists were very sore. Most likely caused from holding tightly onto the boogie board as if it was his life line.
We enjoyed daily walks along our beach with the scenery never tiring.
More to come.
