Green Head
Green Head is a small, friendly coastal town three hours north of Perth on the Indian Ocean Drive.
Its pristine beaches and laid-back lifestyle provide a relaxed holiday atmosphere as well as the home of a million-dollar rock lobster industry. Situated on a headland, Green Head's bays offer white sandy beaches where you can swim and snorkel, while offshore islands and reefs are perfect for fishing and scuba diving. Green Head is most known as home to Dynamite Bay, number 19 in Australia's Top 101 Best Beaches for 2017.
Fisherman's Island, south of Green Head is an Australian Sea Lion breeding colony, therefore access is restricted. Sea Lion viewing tours with government registered guides are available from Jurien Bay and Green Head. During August, sea lions are generally mating and therefore tours are often not available.
Secluded little bays offer peaceful retreats for people wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Dynamite Bay forms almost a perfect circle and offers safe protected swimming.
South Bay is a long stretch of white sand beach, ideal for swimming and fishing or just walking along an uncrowded and unspoiled beach. The bay is part of the Three Bays Walkway, which takes you along the coast past Dynamite Bay and the charming yet peaceful Anchorage Bay. The Three Bays Walkway is 2.8km long and is connected by a series of footpaths, coastal tracks and other paths, with signage allowing walkers to immerse themselves in the landscape, natural beauty and the area's Aboriginal and European history. There are numerous lookouts with seating along the walk.
During the cooler months, bushwalking is a popular past time. Head out to the Lesueur National Park. A number of different walks are available within Lesueur National Park to suit a range of fitness levels. Take a short, easy walk from Drummond Recreation Area to the Iain Wilson lookout or for the more fit, continue on to enjoy the stunning scenery along the Gairdner Loop Trail (2.5km) or head along the spur trail to the summit of Mt Lesueur (4km) taking in the spectacular views along the way. At Cockleshell Gully Picnic Area, you can enjoy a family picnic underneath tall, shady trees– equipped with tables and toilets. The more adventurous can walk the 7km (Class 3) Yued Ponar trail leading you through a stunning variety of heathland wildflowers. Interpretive signage helps you to see the country through the eyes of its traditional Aboriginal owners, the Yued Nyoongar people. Sweeping views to the Indian Ocean await you at the summit of Mount Peron.
Note: Please make use of the boot scrubbing stations at trails to preserve the plant life and avoid the introduction of diseases.
Another great park is Alexander Morrison National Park, located along Coorow / Green Head Road and well known for its spectacular wildflowers during spring. It has an abundance of flora and fauna and is a perfect spot for a bushwalk or picnic. It is especially noted for its dryandras.
No matter what your choice of water sports, Green Head will cater for you. Surfers can enjoy a good reef break at Point Louise and when the breeze comes in, excellent windsurfing conditions are created. There's also a good chance you'll be able to catch your lunch fishing off the jetty, a protected concrete boat ramp is available by the main jetty. The warm Leeuwin current from the north brings with it tropical sea life which creates a very diverse diving environment offshore. Hard and soft corals, along with sponges, cover the numerous limestone reefs. Seagrass meadows and the absence of rivers flowing into the sea allows for very healthy conditions for marine life.
Between the towns of Green Head and Leeman, Milligan Island is the only "nature-based" short term (72 hours maximum) camping site within the Shire of Coorow. Nestled behind a dune amongst natural vegetation with a short walk to a secluded beach, this ecocamping site is perfect for the RV or self-contained tourist. Small site fee of $15 per car, per night is payable. Dogs are allowed at Milligan Island, but must remain on leash at all times.