Caravan family praises remote Aussie beach with cheap campsite: 'Nothing compares'

Western Australia is having its moment in the sun right now, quite literally. The Aussie state is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches, characterised by perfectly white sand and water that almost doesn't seem real.

It's little wonder so many travellers - particularly of the caravanning and camping variety - are flocking there to lap up its world-class coastline and plethora of outdoor activities. For one travelling family, the dazzling waters of Wharton Beach in Esperance captured their hearts, landing the spot firmly on their favourites list.

"Wharton Beach and nearby Lucky Bay were our two favourite beaches around the Cape Le Grand and Esperance region and two of our favourite beaches throughout WA - although we have quite a few others on our list too, especially around Ningaloo," Megs from Travel Tales tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

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The Aussie mum - who is currently travelling around Australia with her husband, Matt, and kids, Jasper and Daisy - says that Wharton Beach is a must-see thanks to its striking scenery and remote location.

"It has the whitest fine sand, warm water, kid-friendly waves and sand dunes," she says. "The stunning turquoise water and coastal views make it a hard one to beat! Lucky Bay is also one to add to your list when in the Esperance region, although it is much more known and hence a bit busier when we were there."

What to know before going to Wharton Beach, WA

As with any remote location, there are things that travellers should be aware of before heading off, and Megs shares her advice for anyone who finds themselves drawn to the postcard-like spot.

"Wharton Beach is located in the Duke of Orleans Bay, and it is easily accessible and is a one-hour drive from Esperance," she says. "If you have a 4WD, you can access the beach and drive along the sand comfortably - lowering your tyre pressure as required depending on how soft the sand is and the tidal conditions."

She continues, "It’s best to always be self-sufficient in terms of food, water and extra fuel in case you need it as it is fairly remote once you leave the main town of Esperance. It's also worth carrying a snatch strap and some recovery gear, including traction aids and a shovel."

Megs also cautions drivers to avoid fast turns and hard stops, which can throw the weight of the vehicle forward and result in vehicles getting bogged.

"Always check the tides and aim to be on the beach two hours either side of low tide where possible," she adds.

Where to camp at Wharton Beach

Although there are no free camp spots on Wharton Beach, travellers can stay at the nearby Orleans Bay Caravan Park, where prices for an unpowered site start at $35 a night in the off-season. However, Megs and her family camped at the RAC Esperance Holiday Park in Esperance, using it as a base to explore the wider area, including the Cape Le Grand National Park and all the local beaches.

"We paid $60 per night for a powered site with a view at RAC Esperance Holiday Park (non-peak), which we felt was good value for the park," she says. "It has nice modern facilities and is in a nice location opposite Esperance Bay. There is a heated swimming pool, recreation room, nature playground, a couple of camp kitchens, BBQ areas, modern toilet and shower blocks with a laundry and a general store at the office."

For those on more of a budget, Megs says that Lucky Bay Campground is a good option. "[It] costs approximately $20 per night for adults and $5 per night for children and is also great value as while it only has basic facilities, it is in a beautiful location overlooking Lucky Bay Beach."

What to do at Wharton Beach and surrounding areas

Meg tells Yahoo Lifestyle that her family did day trips from Esperance and explored the Cape Le Grand National Park, all the beaches and the beautiful scenic coastal drives.

"We drove along the sand on various beaches and parked with our annex out with our Land Rover Defender," she says. "Then we would all swim, surf, go for walks, play beach cricket and have lunch on the sand - we packed our own lunch and snacks as there weren’t any lunch options nearby. It’s a great way to also meet other travellers and a really fun vibe on the beaches."

As for the highlight of their time at Wharton, Megs cites the spectacular scenery and beautiful white sand and aqua water

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"We fell in love with many of the WA beaches, which are second to none with the bright blue turquoise water popping against the white sand and granite boulders and sand dunes surrounding them, making it a memorable experience.

"Nothing compares to the feeling of freedom as we would drive along the beach in the warm sunshine with the tunes on, all feeling salty, sandy and free. The waves were the perfect size at Wharton Beach for kids to do some surfing and swimming, and the water was reasonably warm when we were there, allowing us all to splash around feeling carefree and alive."

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