Cape Arid National Park

For four wheel driving along vast white beaches, camping out under a star-filled sky, colourful wildflowers, whale watching and swimming at secluded bays, a visit to Cape Arid National Park 120 kilometres east of Esperance is a must. This untouched paradise is also known for its excellent bushwalking and beach fishing. Most of the tracks within the park are accessible only by four wheel drive - hit the dirt and you'll be rewarded with beautiful coastal scenery of granite outcrops, sand dunes and stands of mallee trees, banksia and paperbark. If you're camping, there's a good chance you'll spot local nocturnal animals like honey possums, wallabies and kangaroos. Take your pick from scenic picnic spots including Thomas River, Mount Ragged or Seal Creek. Self-guided walking trails range from one to four hours and take you deep into native bushland and along coastal heaths with views over the Southern Ocean - you may even spot southern right whales offshore. Not surprisingly, the swimming is idyllic, while bays like Yokinup are popular for windsurfing. Good camping facilities can be found at Thomas River or Duke of Orleans Bay Caravan Park. Cape Arid National Park is an hour's drive east of Esperance.