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174km north-west of Esperance via Salmon Gums
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4WD recommended
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no park entry fee
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free camping, first come, first served
Inland from the coast, 174km north-west of Esperance, a huge island of ancient orange granite rises from a landscape as flat as a pancake. Peak Charles is visible for more than 50 kilometres in every direction. It's a different side of the Esperance region: granite, woodland and wide open sky, a world away from the white sand and turquoise water of the coast.
The park lies within the Great Western Woodlands, the largest remaining area of Mediterranean woodland on earth, covering almost 16 million hectares. The woodlands are home to more than 3,500 plant species, along with mammals, reptiles, frogs and birds, and new species are still being discovered.
Out here, there are no facilities beyond a basic campground, and a 4WD is recommended. It's a place for self-sufficient travellers, keen hikers and experienced climbers who want to spend a night or two under big skies.
We recognise and acknowledge the Malpa people as the Traditional Owners of Peak Charles National Park.
Is Cape Arid for you?
Peak Charles is a detour off the main route, but it offers a glimpse of a very different landscape from the coast. It suits travellers with time to get off the main route and explore.
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Got time for a detour? Peak Charles is 174km north-west of Esperance via Salmon Gums, with free, basic camping at the foot of the granite. Stay a night to make the most of it.
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What will I need to drive? Depending on road conditions, a 4WD is recommended. In good, dry conditions, the road in from the east is passable in a 2WD, so check conditions before you go.
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Keen hiker? The Peak Charles summit walk is broken into three stages, so you can turn back at whichever point suits your experience.
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Experienced rock climber? The steep eastern face offers quality climbs of up to 300 metres.
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Short on time? Explore Helms Arboretum and the wildflower walks closer to Esperance, or head to Cape Le Grand National Park, 50km from Esperance and sealed all the way.
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Travelling with a dog? Dogs aren't permitted in national parks.
Getting there
Peak Charles National Park is 174km north-west of Esperance, via Salmon Gums. Once you turn off the highway, the final 21.3km into the park is on an unsealed road, with some very rough sections where high clearance may be required. Depending on road conditions, a 4WD is recommended, though in good, dry conditions the road is passable in a 2WD. Beyond the campground and summit walk, other roads through the park are 4WD only.
There are no services in the park, so fuel up and stock up in Esperance before you go.
Unsealed roads and tracks can change quickly after rain. Check DBCA Park Alerts(opens in new tab) and Emergency WA(opens in new tab) for closures and fire warnings before you head out. There's no park entry fee or camping fee.
The peaks
The summit walk
You don't need to reach the summit to enjoy the peaks. Even a short walk around the gentle slopes near the base of Peak Charles offers beautiful views and plants to discover. If you'd like to go higher, the walk up Peak Charles runs in three stages of increasing difficulty, so you can choose how far to go.
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Stage 1: an easy, well-defined section to Mushroom Rock.
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Stage 2: a steeper, loose-surfaced push to the Central Ridge.
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Stage 3: the climb to the summit is technical, steep and slippery when wet, with hand and foot placement in crevices, short climbing sections near the top and a crab-crawl descent in places. It should be attempted by advanced bushwalkers only.
Start early, carry plenty of water, and avoid the climb in wet or windy weather, when the granite can be slippery. Check Trails WA for track notes before you go.
Rock climbing
Peak Charles draws experienced rock climbers to its steep eastern face, which offers quality climbs of up to 300 metres. Climbing here is for experienced, fully equipped climbers only.
Wildlife and wildflowers
Walk the dry sandplain heaths, woodlands and flowering scrub around the peaks. Plant lovers will enjoy the many types of orchids that grow on the slopes of Peak Charles and its smaller neighbour, Peak Eleanora, with more than 30 species recorded in the area. The wider Great Western Woodlands support more than 3,500 plant species.
Lots of birds live on and around the peaks, with more than 40 small bird species in the park, so bring your binoculars. Look up, too: wedge-tailed eagles are often seen circling overhead.
Far from city lights, when the sun goes down, the night skies over Peak Charles are full of stars.
Help keep the park as you found it: stay on marked trails, clean soil off your shoes and tyres to help stop the spread of dieback, leave wildflowers where they grow, and give wildlife plenty of space.
Camping
Peak Charles has a single campground at the foot of the granite, and a 4WD is recommended to get there. Camping is free and first come, first served.
It's basic, with drop toilets, so come fully self-sufficient: bring all the water, food and fuel you'll need, and take all your rubbish home with you. Campfires are permitted in the fire pits provided, except on total fire ban days. Check Parks WA for current facilities before you go.
See all campgrounds on Bush Camps and National Parks.
Before you go
- No entry fee: there's no park entry fee for Peak Charles, and camping is free.
- Fuel and supplies: there are no services in the park. Fuel up and stock up in Esperance, and carry extra water.
- Communications: mobile coverage is limited or non-existent. Download offline maps, let someone know your plans, and carry a personal locator beacon (PLB).
- Be self-sufficient: bring camping gear, ample water and food, a first aid kit, a tool kit, spare tyres and recovery gear.
- Road conditions and fire: check DBCA Park Alerts and Emergency WA for closures, fire warnings and total fire bans before you go. Campfires are only permitted in the fire pits provided outside of fire bans periods.
- Climbing safety: wear shoes with good grip, start early, avoid the summit in wet or windy weather, and only attempt the final stage or the eastern face if you're experienced and properly equipped.
- Heat: summer can be very hot inland. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit.
- Dieback and wildflowers: clean soil off your shoes and tyres, stay on marked trails, and leave wildflowers where they grow.
- Dogs: dogs aren't permitted in national parks.
Read the Coastal Safety and Code off Road guides before you head out.
Find & Book
Plan our Trip
Curated trips to get you started.
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Esperance’s breathtaking landscapes on this 3-day, self-guided hiking adventure.
This trail takes you through seven of the region’s best wildflower spots, starting right in town and working out into the bush.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s 174km north-west of Esperance, via Salmon Gums. The last 21.3km is unsealed, with some very rough sections (4WD recommended), so allow plenty of time.
It depends on road conditions. A 4WD is recommended, as the road into the park from the east is unsealed, with some very rough sections where high clearance may be required. In good, dry conditions, it’s passable in a 2WD. Beyond the campground and summit walk, other roads through the park are 4WD only.
No. There’s no entry fee for Peak Charles National Park, and camping is free.
Yes. There’s a single basic campground at the foot of the granite, with drop toilets. Camping is free and first come, first served, and you’ll need to be fully self-sufficient.
The walk runs in three stages. The first, to Mushroom Rock, is easy and well defined. The second, to the Central Ridge, is steeper with a loose surface. The final climb to the summit is technical, steep and slippery when wet, with short climbing sections near the top, and should be attempted by advanced bushwalkers only. If that’s not for you, a short walk around the gentle slopes near the base still offers beautiful views.
Yes, for experienced climbers. The steep eastern face offers quality climbs of up to 300 metres.
No. Dogs aren’t permitted in national parks.
Spring, when the wildflowers are out, including more than 30 species of orchid. Autumn is also comfortable, while summer can be very hot inland.
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