Cape Le Grand

An early departure from Esperance and only 53 kms east to Cape Le Grand National Park we were hopeful of finding a camp site at the Cape  or Lucky Bay.    Fortunately a large site was available at Le Grand so we quickly set up.   This is a great spot with individual sites and lots of vegetation in between.   Flushing toilets and solar hot water for showers is an added bonus.   The only downside is the abundance of march flies (well, it is March).   They leave a very nasty, itchy welt. 

 

Cape Le Grand Campground/Public Car Park

Beach view towards Cape Le Grand

 One of the campers had been out in his zodiac, but was knocked out of the craft by a wave, so it was doing unmanned circles to use up fuel.   We had heard of this happening, but to actually see a boat spinning (for 4 hours we were told) was unusual.   The zodiac was finally beached by the waves.   

Early Tuesday morning Brian donned his hiking boots for the 2 hour return trek to the top of Frenchman Peak.   The weather is great, blue skies and gentle breeze.   An afternoon stroll on the beautiful beach was a perfect end to the day.

Frenchman Peak

Wednesday, another sunny day, so Brian unloaded his wave ski and had a half hour paddle.  Except for a very small shore break, the waters are calm.    We then packed a lunch and drove to Hellfire Bay.   This is a beautiful, calm bay with many families enjoying a day here.   We had lunch, then continued to Thistle Bay, the Whistling Rock and on to Lucky Bay.    The campsite at Lucky was very crowded, and the beach not very inviting with its seagrass covered shore.   It is a very popular spot, however, we are glad we are at Le Grand.

Hellfire Bay

Lucky Bay

Thursday, the weather forecast proved correct with cloud and showers most of the day.   Luckily generators are permitted here for a few hours a day to top up the batteries. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday did not improve weatherwise, so Monday morning we came back in to Esperance to give the batteries a good power-up on 240v, wash and shop.

It is now Tuesday afternoon, and if the skies are clear tomorrow morning, we will travel towards Cape Arid, and camp at the Thomas River Campground.    It is not possible to get our rig as far as Cape Arid itself, but hopefully we can just take the car to explore the area.