Lucky Bay Campground

Lucky Bay Campground is where the famous photo comes from: kangaroos lounging on impossibly white sand with turquoise water behind them. It’s not a marketing trick. The roos really do hang out on the beach here, and they’re remarkably relaxed around campers. This is Cape Le Grand National Park at its best, about an hour southeast of Esperance in one of the most remote and beautiful corners of Western Australia.

The campground has 56 sites spread behind the dunes, with cold showers (you won’t mind in summer) and a camp kitchen. There’s no power, no drinking water, no bins, and no mobile reception. You need to be completely self-sufficient out here. BYO everything, pack out everything. That remoteness is the whole point, though. The beach itself is consistently rated among Australia’s best, and you can swim, snorkel, kayak, or just sit and watch dolphins cruise past.

From camp, Frenchman Peak is a solid half-day hike with views across the entire coastline, and the Le Grand Coastal Trail connects several beaches worth exploring. Summer gets seriously hot, so plan shade and water carefully. Book well ahead for school holidays because this place fills fast, and for good reason.