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In the long and dusty trek across Australia, Esperance stands as a welcome respite for weary travellers, offering a spectacular coastline coloured with aquamarine water and pearly white shores.

Taking the turn off at Norseman for a 200km trip toward the Great Southern Ocean, travellers are greeted by a town many find hard to resist.

Lucky Bay (photograph courtesy of Tourism Western Australia)

In fact its swelling population is in large part a credit to the travellers themselves who pass through and find it hard to leave. Many locals born and bred elsewhere tell how once visited, Esperance became a passion which could only be satisfied by taking the plunge and moving there.

Just far enough away from Perth to avoid being loved to death by too many tourists and developers, but close enough to reach in a decent day's drive from Perth, Esperance's pristine coastline with its 'squeaky' sand is world renowned.

John and Adele D'Emden, who have been the heart and soul of the Esperance Seafront Caravan Park for more than 36 years, say a significant proportion of their guests choose to break their trek across Australia with a beachside stay; either travelling east from Perth and using Esperance as a staging point to brace themselves for the long trip or travelling from the east coast and staying in Esperance before the final stretch to Perth.

Beautifully positioned overlooking the crystal clear waters of Esperance Bay in the heart of town, a stay at the Esperance Seafront Caravan Park has become a tradition for travellers from all over Australia.

"A surprising number of our visitors are travelling interstate," Mrs D'Emden said.

"That dry and dusty trip across the Nullarbor is a must at least once in a lifetime for most Australians, but it is a long drive and can be quite exhausting.

"So we find many people choose to use Esperance as a stopping off point for a beach break before jumping back in the car and either continuing east to Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney or heading west to Perth.

Woody Island (photograph courtesy of Tourism Western Australia)

The town is the gateway to the Recherche Archipelago, the largest group of islands in southern Australia. Consisting of more than 110 islands and 1500 islets spread over 270km of coastline, the Archipelago is gaining recognition as one of Australia's most important aquatic wilderness areas.

Esperance is also the gateway to a number of other national parks, which display an unrivalled variety of wilderness and natural beauty including Cape Le Grand National Park, Cape Arid National Park, Stokes National Park and Peak Charles National Park.

Esperance Seafront Caravan Park and Holiday Units (photograph by Dan Paris)

Esperance Regional Tourism Association chairman Marcus Tromp said Esperance offered world-class tourist facilities - from caravan parks right through to 4-and-a-half-star luxury accommodation.

"We receive many interstate as well as international visitors in Esperance, a number of whom are choosing to break their journey across Australia. Some stay just overnight, others catch the bug and stay for days if not weeks," he said.

Mr Tromp said there were plenty of activities available for people to have a memorable Esperance experience.

"Whether it be exploring our stunning coastline, taking a trip out to renowned Woody Island to see the seals and dolphins, taking a tour with award-winning eco cultural discovery tour company Kepa Kurl, having an underwater experience without getting wet at the amazing Esperance Aquarium, or dining out at some of our fine restaurants, there is always something for people to do and see for as long as they choose to stay.

Holiday unit at the Esperance Seafront Caravan Park (photograph by Dan Paris)

Mr Tromp said one free activity gaining in popularity since it was launched late last year was the Esperance Art Trail, which showcased the work of local artists. Visitors could take a guided tour of the town's public and private galleries, purchase unique artwork and meet the artists themselves.

'Whatever you are interested in and however long you stay, Esperance has something to offer everyone." Mr Tromp said.

A range of holiday packages are available with Skywest airlines or Transwa. For more information go to www.australiasgoldenoutback.com or call the WA Visitor Centre on 1800 812 808. Some say Esperance has the best beaches in Australia - you'll find it hard to argue with them. Read More