This is Kepa Kurl Country. Its beauty is easy to admire, and it asks something back: care for the land, the sea, and the culture that shapes it. Many visitors feel it for themselves, a pull to slow down, tread lightly, and leave this place as pristine as they found it.
Kepa Kurl
Pronounced ‘kep-pa kurl’ is the Wudjari name for ‘Esperance’. ‘Kepa’ translates to water and ‘Kurl’ to boomerang. Kepa Kurl means ‘where the waters lie like boomerangs’ and refers to the shape of the two bays closest to the Esperance townsite.
Wudjari Nyungar Country
Kepa Kurl, the bay shaped like a boomerang, has been Wudjari Nyungar Country for tens of thousands of years. That connection runs through everything here: the Dreamtime story behind Mandooboornup (Frenchman Peak), the six seasons that still read the land better than any calendar, and the work of the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation caring for Country today.
The best way to understand it is to hear it from the people whose Country it is. Dabungool Cultural Experiences is a family business run by Wudjari Elder Annie Dabb and her daughter Julie Dabb, and their walking tours are a first-hand introduction to Country.
In Your Element
Respect begins with admiration, and here it comes easily. Feel the sun on your back and the wind straight off the Southern Ocean. …Kick your shoes off and walk barefoot on the sand, dip your toes into water so clear you can count the ripples on the seafloor, and watch the light shift across the granite headlands.
Esperance is a place to embrace every element. Whatever the weather brings, there’s a sense of awe and appreciation to be found for our natural world. Give yourself time to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with your natural self. The longer you spend in your element here, the easier it is to understand why this place deserves our care
Caring for Country, Together
The Wudjari Nyungar people have cared for this Country for tens of thousands of years, and they still do. Today that care is a responsibility we all share, locals and visitors alike, following their lead.
On the Land
Esperance's bushland carries real fragility beneath its beauty. Phytophthora dieback spreads easily through soil carried on boots, tyres and camping gear, and can take years to show its damage. Scrub your boots clean at the stations provided, and stay on formed tracks and trails.
Camp only in designated areas and take your rubbish home with you. In the warmer months, be bushfire smart: check the fire danger rating and any total fire ban on Emergency WA before lighting a campfire or stove.
In the Sea
Esperance’s waters are as fragile as they are wild. The reefs, islands and wrecks of the Recherche Archipelago hold rich marine life and strong conservation values, and how we treat them is what keeps what feels untouched today that way for the next generation. Respect no-touch zones on reefs and wrecks, and give whales, dolphins and sea lions plenty of space so wildlife remains wild.
The coast asks for respect too. Swells here are unpredictable and can arrive from different angles, rips build quickly on exposed beaches, and the black rocks are slippery and dangerous. Admire the ocean's power from a safe distance, and read Coastal Safety in Esperance: How Not to Become a Statistic before you head out. For a local's view, watch Coastal Safety with Dave the Lifesaver.
Small habits, kept up by everyone who visits, are what keep this country wild for the next person too.
Make the Esperance Promise
The Esperance Promise is a commitment to care for this place, shared by visitors and locals alike. It's voiced by locals who know Esperance best, beginning with Wudjari Nyungar Elder Annie Dabb.
Make the Esperance Promise yourself at esperancepromise.com(opens in new tab) to ensure you are informed about the nuances of this place and can not only travel responsibly, but return home safely too.
See It For Yourself
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Walk Country with a local Elder: book a walking tour with Dabungool Cultural Experiences.
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Travel with the seasons: see what each season brings on our Seasons page.
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Not sure where to start? Browse our suggested itineraries for ways to build a trip that treads lightly.
Plan our Trip
Curated trips to get you started.
Netted swimming, jetty slides, playgrounds, rock pools and white sand bays. A three-day family itinerary for Esperance, plus rainy day ideas.
Five days, the best of Esperance. Coastal lookouts, Cape Le Grand, an island cruise, a 4WD beach tour, scenic flights and stargazing, planned day by day.
Bring the dog. Three days of foreshore walks, coastal trails, dog-friendly beaches and outdoor dining in Esperance, plus where dogs can’t go.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Esperance’s breathtaking landscapes on this 3-day, self-guided hiking adventure.
If you are faced with a rainy day while being in Esperance, there are plenty of things to do and see.
Stories
The place behind the postcard.
Esperance lifesaver Dave Macmahon paddled out to rescue a man swept off the rocks at Salmon Beach. Here’s his story, and how to stay safe on the Esperance coast.
A little local knowledge goes a long way. Here’s what you need to know before you head out, so you don’t become a statistic.
#VisitEsperance
