Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
WAY OUT WEST IN EDEL LAND
The Australian mainland's westernmost tip is
Steep Point
, just below Dirk Hartog Island. It's a wild, wind-
scarred, barren clifftop with a beauty born of desolation and remoteness. The
Zuytdorp Cliffs
stretch away to the
south, the limestone peppered with blowholes, while leeward, bays with white sandy beaches provide sheltered
camp sites. The entire area is known as
Edel Land
, soon to become a national park. Anglers have been coming
here for years to go game fishing off the towering cliffs, but few tourists make the 140km rough drive down a
dead-end road.
Access to the area is via Useless Loop Rd, and is controlled by the
Department of Environment and Conser-
vation
(DEC; 08-9948 3993; entry permit per vehicle $11, sites per person $7) . There is a ranger station at
Shelter Bay
, with camping nearby; at Steep Point (rocky and exposed); and at
False Entrance
to the south. Sites
are strictly limited and must be booked in advance. You'll need a high-clearance 4WD as the road deteriorates
past the Useless Loop turn-off (approximately 100km from Shark Bay Rd). Tyres should be deflated to 20psi. En-
sure you bring ample water and enough fuel to return to the Overlander Roadhouse (185km) or Denham (230km).
During winter, a barge runs from Shelter Bay to
Dirk Hartog Island
(bookings essential). The website
www.sharkbay.org.au
has all the details and downloadable permits. Hire-car companies will not insure for this
road, though (expensive) tours can be arranged from Denham. The drive is pure adventure; Steep Point is prob-
ably more easily reached by boat, but then that's not the Point, is it?
T
Tours
DRIVING TOUR
Aussie Off Road Tours
( 0429 929 175;
www.aussieoffroadtours.com.au
)
Culture, history, wildlife and bush tucker feature
in these excellent indigenous-owned and -operated 4WD tours, including twilight wildlife
($90), full-day François Peron National Park ($189) or Shell Beach/Hamelin ($200),
overnight camping in François Peron ($300) and overnight to Steep Point ($390).
Shark Bay Scenic Flights
( 0417 919 059;
www.sharkbayair.com.au
)
Offers various scenic flights, including 15-minute
Monkey Mia flyovers ($59) and a sensational 40-minute trip over Steep Point and the
Zuytdorp Cliffs ($175). Ask if the planned Dirk Hartog Island fly/drive tour to Cape In-
scription is running, as this would be spectacular. Planes are also available for one-way
charters to/from the Overlander Roadhouse ($140).
SCENIC FLIGHTS
Shark Bay Coaches & Tours
( 08-9948 1081;
www.sbcoaches.com
; bus/quad bike $80/$90)
Half-day bus tours to all key sights and
two-hour quad-bike tours to Little Lagoon.
TOUR
