Situated 266 kilometres north of Perth, it is the largest of Dandaragan’s coastal settlements. The bay was named in 1801 by French naval explorer Nicholas Baudin in honour of Charles Jurien, an administrator in the French Navy. Boatsheds and fisherman’s shacks were erected on the beach here when the rock lobster export market began to develop in the 1950s. Holiday-makers, particularly boat owners, were then attracted by the jetties, boat ramps, fuel etc. and began building accommodation for themselves. The first beach house is believed to have been constructed here in 1951.
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What to see and do:
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Jurien Bay is a wonderful water playground. Ideal for short visits or longer, more relaxing summer holidays. The bay is protected by the islands and reefs which lie just a few kilometres from the shoreline, thus providing sheltered water for a multitude of recreational aquatic activities.
There is safe swimming in the tranquil area created within the inland harbour, or more excitement in the surf at the other beaches in the bay. All have pristine white sands and enticing clear waters. Ideal for a cool and relaxing swim during the hot summer months. It is also an excellent area for windsurfing and skin diving, and for recreational fishing and crabbing.
The fishing is good everywhere - from the beaches, the two old factory jetties (which are now open to the public), the limestone groynes or from private boats.
Facilities are provided for the boating public in the form of ramps, jetty and fueling facilities. Pens are also available for hire and arrangements regarding the use of these can be made with the Port Officer.
The bay also provides a safe haven for the large number of rock lobster (crayfishing) boats which are based there in the fishing season. Catches are processed at the Fremantle Fisherman’s Co-op in Jurien which is open to visitors, but only by appointment. Growth in the crayfishing industry saw the establishment of this permanent factory and processing plant and the construction of a jetty in the 1960s.
Further advancement occurred in 1988 with the opening of the Jurien Marina. This new marina, which cost $8 million to build, provided the professional fishing community with 72 new commercial pens.
Rock lobsters are now highly sought after for dinner tables around the world – and particularly in countries such as Japan and the USA where very high prices are charged for such delicacies. The industry earns the region – and Western Australia – millions of dollars in export revenue each year.
Jurien Bay Tours:
Jurien Charters
Tours of Jurien Bay Marine Park and Sea Lion tours. |
