The diversity of Esperance’s arts & culture scene

Esperance is the French word for “hope”, while its Aboriginal name is “Kepa (water) Kurl (boomerang)”, which means “where the water lies like a boomerang”.

While the coastal town, which lies 700 kilometres south-east of Perth, is widely known and adored for its five surrounding national parks and rugged landscapes, it’s a destination where arts and culture come together.

Whether you’re partial to art, creativity and the people behind it, interested in Indigenous Australian history and storytelling, or intent on a getaway defined by rest and relaxation, Esperance has it all.

Dabungool Cultural Experiences

Steered by three generations of Wudjari women, Dabungool Cultural Experiences tours take guests on a journey through the six Noongar seasons, guided by Indigenous storytelling, bush tucker and bush medicine.

Visitors can learn about the rich cultural history of Kepa Kurl while walking the nature trails of Kwongan heathland and bushland, smelling and tasting the bush tucker along the way, and finishing with coffee and bush tomato scones or lemon myrtle biscuits at the end of the tour.

Founder Annie Dabb, who was born in Bandy Creek, says the initiative was inspired by her love for living in the bush, the healing element of nature and the desire to share Indigenous culture with the world.

“Put me in the bush and I’m at home,” she says with a chuckle. “We love being able to give people that sense of place and history.”

She says her experience of being taken away from her family during the Stolen Generation and having to abide by strict rules like “The Black Line” that governed the lives of Aboriginal people less than 60 years ago highlights the importance of initiatives like this one to protect and preserve culture.

“It’s not something I’ve read in a book, I’ve lived it. But I’ve had my healing. Nature is healing — both the bush and the water,” Dabb says.

“I was taken away but I’ve come back home because I still have that connection to Esperance. My daughters were born here and I still feel like my ancestors are around guiding me.”

Dabungool tours began in 2020 during NAIDOC Week. Only when 50 people rocked up to the first tour did the women realise they had created something special. And whether you’re travelling with pets, strollers or need assistance walking, Dabungool offers tours to cater to needs and preferences.

Cindy Poole Glass Gallery

Cindy Poole is an award-winning glass artist whose designs and concepts are guided by her love of the Esperance coastline and environment.

Her passion to preserve the natural environment has combined with her taste for creativity and experimentation to form a business based on a “platform of sustainability” and “a means to challenge perspectives on the value and use of recycled glass”.

With glass as her vessel, she shapes beautiful objects and shared experiences to make a positive impact on the planet. “I have always been drawn to glass because of its unique beauty and endless possibilities,” Poole says.

Located just five minutes from town and just off the Great Ocean Drive, visitors learn about Poole’s story, her craft and the journey of sustainability by taking part in a behind-the-scenes Discovery and Create tour. Her hands-on workshops provide a window into the world of glass making and an opportunity to learn the ropes.

Cannery Arts Centre

Nestled on the Esperance foreshore, within a heritage building which was built in 1948 and renovated in 1984, the Cannery Arts Centre is the abode of art, music and culture.

After being used as a fish cannery, car yard, dance hall and youth centre, the space is now one that reflects creativity, intimacy and connection.

The venue is known for housing the Esperance Pottery Club as well as a multitude of contemporary visual art exhibitions annually and an eclectic mix of concerts and events from local and touring artists.

Artists and thought leaders are regularly hosted through the residency program, while an array of creative workshops for adults and kids are run during school terms and holidays, coupled with open mic nights, yoga classes and a community garden where people can potter around and pick what they please.

Shopping

If you’re partial to a little retail therapy, why not have a mosey around town and support some of the local businesses.

For a holiday read, visit Esperance’s independent bookshop, Dear Village, or La Breeze for local handmade gifts, souvenirs and artwork, both located in the Museum Village.

Or drop in to Tide & Co, a lifestyle store inspired by the coast and created by local magazine Esperance Tide, providing appeal, souvenirs, outdoor goods and giftware.

Esperance is a cornucopia of entertainment for arts enthusiasts and culture nerds alike. With something for all tastes and preferences, the town of Australia’s whitest beach is sure to charm.

Alexandra Casey was a guest of Australia’s Golden Outback. They have not seen or approved this story.