Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SHARK BAY
The World Heritage-listed area of Shark Bay, stretching from Kalbarri to Carnarvon, con-
sists of more than 1500km of spectacular coastline, containing turquoise lagoons, barren
finger-like peninsulas, hidden bays, white-sand beaches, towering limestone cliffs and nu-
merous islands. It's the westernmost part of the Australian mainland, and one of WA's most
biologically rich habitats, with an array of plant and animal life found nowhere else on
earth. Lush beds of sea-grass and sheltered bays nourish dugongs, sea turtles, humpback
whales, dolphins, stingrays, sharks and other aquatic life. On land, Shark Bay's biodiversity
has benefited from Project Eden, an ambitious ecosystem-regeneration program that has
sought to eradicate feral animals and reintroduce endemic species. Shark Bay is also home
to the amazing stromatolites of Hamelin Pool.
The Malgana, Nhanda and Inggarda peoples originally inhabited the area, and visitors
can take indigenous cultural tours to learn about country. Shark Bay played host to early
European explorers and many geographical names display this legacy. In 1616, Dutch ex-
plorer Dirk Hartog nailed a pewter dinner plate (now in Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum) to a
post on the island that now bears his name. Dirk Hartog Island is WA's largest.
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SEASIDE BUSH CAMPING
Shark Bay shire offers a choice of four coastal bush camp sites,
Goulet Bluff
,
Whalebone
,
Fowlers Camp
and
Eagle Bluff
, all 20km to 40km south of Denham in the area known as South Peron. To camp here, you must first
obtain a permit ($10 per vehicle) from the Shark Bay visitor centre (
Click here
). While this is easily arranged via
phone (if yours has any reception), in practice it's better to scope the sites first, then get the permit. There are no fa-
cilities and a one-night limit applies to the whole area.
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Getting There & Away
Shark Bay airport is located between Denham and Monkey Mia. Skippers flies to Perth six
times weekly, with some return flights via Kalbarri.
The closest Greyhound and Integrity approach is the Overlander Roadhouse, 128km
away on the North West Coastal Hwy.
Shark Bay Car Hire
( 0427 483 032;
www.carhire.net.au
; 65
Knight Tce, Denham; shuttle $67, car/4WD hire per day $95/185)
runs a connecting shuttle (book ahead!).
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