For a four-wheel driving adventure along a scenic coastline with dramatic red cliffs and white sandy beaches, head to Francois Peron National Park in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
The ocean shouldn’t be touching a desert, but at Francois Peron National Park, this is exactly what happens - rust-red desert sand meeting white beach sand and azure blue water. The road access is via the Peron Homestead but high clearance 4WDs are essential for travel further north into the park. Park and camping fees applicable. Tip: When entering the Park, make sure to deflate car tyres by the Homestead, where there is a tyre compressor station for your convenience.
No 4WD? No problem! Explore the Francois Peron National Park on a 4WD eco-tour. A wildlife haven, Shark Bay is home to 17 species of mammals, 98 species of reptiles and amphibians and more than 230 species of birds. Spot bungarra and thorny devil (lizards), emus and cormorant (birds) in this spectacular World Heritage area. The National Park is also famous for its Hydroplaning Dolphins, an unusual technique for catching fish.
Gutharraguda (meaning ‘two waters’) is the Aboriginal name for Shark Bay, and is home to the local Malgana people. Gain an Indigenous perspective of Shark Bay by taking a walking and kayaking day tour, or a night tour with a local Malgana guide. Learn about the area’s history and its many plants and animals. Try your hand at animal tracking, and discover which plants make good bush tucker and medicine. On tour you will visit significant cultural sites which have been inhabited by Aboriginal people for thousands of years.
Camp on Red Dirt by Blue Waters with a range of designated basic campsites located in the region – most notably at Herald Bight, Big Lagoon, Bottle Bay and Gregories. Gas barbecues are supplied. Many campsites lead to top fishing spots along the coastline and are great places to spot marine life or bird colonies. You’ll find prints left by emus, reptiles and mammals such as endangered bilbies. Note: Campfires and pets are not permitted in the park, and visitors should bring their own water, and remove their own waste.
Situated in the Francois Peron National Park, the Peron Homestead is a historic site with a small interpretive centre, walk trail and ‘hot tub’, where visitors can soak in the hot artesian waters that once supplied water to stock on the former Peron Station. It is accessible by 2WD vehicles and offers a glimpse of life from the 1950s when the park was a working sheep station. An interpretative centre depicts stories of Indigenous inhabitants, European colonisation and the current conservation program, Project Eden. The nearby lawn and barbeque area are a great spot for picnics. Join a guided tour from Denham or take a self-guided walk using the Station’s informative signage.
Once a sheep station, the park is now one of the most important wilderness areas in Australia and is home to many rare and endangered species. From the cliff tops of Bottle Bay at Cape Peron you can see dugong, manta rays, turtles and sharks swimming in the water below.
Take the Wanamalu Trail between Cape Peron and Skipjack Point for 1.5 kilometres walk that provides excellent views of the coastline. Interpretive signs along the trail provide an introduction to the features of the area and two viewing platforms at Skipjack Point provide striking coastal views and the opportunity to view Shark Bay’s abundant marine life.
Salt-Lagoon Birrada are an unusual feature of Shark Bay, being gypsum clay pans, known as Birridas. These land-locked saline lakes support specially-adapted plant and animal species. The sea has also re-flooded some coastal Birradas, creating the inland bays of Big Lagoon and Little Lagoon, which are known for their beauty and thriving ecological significance. Big Lagoon is home to dugongs, dolphins and green turtles, and offers camping (4WD access only). Little Lagoon is a natural nursery for crabs and whiting, and offers day-access only with BBQ facilities. Kayak the lagoons or see them from a scenic flight tour – they are spectacular from above.
Beautiful Bottle Bay is located in Francois Peron National Park, and is home to plunging red sea cliffs which frame a coastal landscape of red, white and blue. Bush camping, four-wheel driving and beach fishing are popular here in addition to swimming and boating.
Located along the cliff edge between Cape Peron and Skipjack Point, the 1.5km Wanamalu Trail provides excellent views of the coastline. Informative signs along the trail provide an introduction to the features of the area, and two viewing platforms at Skipjack Point offer striking coastal views and the opportunity to view Shark Bay’s abundant marine life including dugongs.
Note: Swimming is not advised at Cape Peron due to strong currents.
A two-wheel drive will get you to:
- The Peron Homestead precinct, just six kilometres off the Monkey Mia Road, has a visitor centre, a self-guided station walk trail, picnic facilities and even a hot tub where you can soak in artesian water.
- Little Lagoon - a natural swimming pool full of fish, just five kilometres from Denham.
A high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle is needed to access the rest of park.
- Read our Top Tips for 4WDing Francois Peron
The best time to visit the Francois Peron National Park is between April and October when winds are generally lightest and the temperature is in the mid-20s. Francois Peron National Park is a 10 minute drive from Denham and 10 minute drive from Monkey Mia.
Camping in Western Australia's natural areas is a special experience. Selected campgrounds from across the state are now bookable online for a trial period.
