Western Australia’s Shark Bay is one of those rare places that lingers with you long after you’ve left. With its dramatic red cliffs, turquoise waters, abundant marine life, and rich cultural history, it’s no wonder this UNESCO World Heritage-listed region draws in travellers from all walks—fishermen, photographers, adventurers, and families alike.

At the heart of it all lies Francois Peron National Park, a wild and remote wonderland that absolutely blew us away—and should be top of your Shark Bay itinerary.

We kicked off our Shark Bay adventure by basing ourselves in Denham, a relaxed and scenic coastal town that’s easy to fall in love with. It’s the kind of place that convinces you to stay longer than planned. We stayed at the Denham Seaside Holiday Park, which was perfect for our family—clean amenities, beachfront sites, and just a short walk to the town’s foreshore and playground.

Getting There & Where to Base Yourself

While in Denham, we made time to explore:

• The local art gallery
• The visitor centre (a must-do for local knowledge and Francois Peron updates)
• Short day trips to Little Lagoon, Eagle Bluff, and Ocean Park Aquarium
  
  

Francois Peron National Park: Wild, Raw & Full of Colour

Accessed via 4WD only, the park greets you with iconic red sand tracks, white beaches, and stunning blue seas. The adventure begins as soon as your tyres hit the dirt.

Hot Tip:
You’ll need a park pass, and it’s essential to check road conditions at the Denham visitor centre before heading in. We learned the hard way—digging out your bogged 4WD under the midday sun on soft red sand is no joke. Bring a shovel, max tracks, and plenty of water.

Our Top Highlights in the Park

Peron Heritage Precinct

The park’s entrance point, this former sheep station is home to historic buildings, interpretive displays, and a quirky artesian hot tub—naturally warmed by an underground bore. It’s a perfect place to stretch your legs and soak in a unique outback experience all for free.

Big Lagoon

This is where we camped for a few nights with our off-road caravan—and it was unforgettable. The drive in is relatively easy for most 4WDs, and sites are first in, best dressed. If you’re lucky, you’ll score a waterfront site. You can launch your boat straight from camp, fish, swim, or simply relax and enjoy the serenity. It’s a sunrise photographer’s dream.

Gregories

A sheltered bay perfect for a full beach day with the kids. Calm waters, active marine life, and excellent snorkelling along the rocky edges. We spotted turtles, searched for crayfish, and spent hours swimming and chilling under our cabana. The natural palette here—red, white, turquoise—is jaw-dropping.

Skipjack Point

If you’re into wildlife, this is the place. From the elevated boardwalk, we saw sharks, rays, dugongs, dolphins, turtles, and countless birds—all without getting our feet wet. The current channels bring marine life in close, making this one of the best wildlife viewing spots in Australia.

Cape Peron

At the tip of the park, Cape Peron offers panoramic views where red cliffs plunge into clear blue water. It’s an epic photography location and a favourite for anglers. For us, it was about soaking in the wild beauty and capturing it all through the lens.

Back in Town: Denham & Surrounds

After the dust and adventure of Francois Peron, returning to Denham felt like a warm hug. We slowed down, washed off the red dirt, and treated ourselves to a coffee the next morning by the foreshore while the kids made the most of the incredible playground right on the beach.

Denham is the perfect quite and relaxed town to recharge before your next leg.

Monkey Mia: Dolphins, Boats & Easy Living

Just a short drive from Denham, Monkey Mia offers a resort-style camping vibe with bonus wildlife. While it’s famous for the dolphin interactions (great for young families), we found it to be a brilliant base for:

• Accessing some of the best fishing in the area (it has a great boat ramp)
• Going on a cruise to tour the waters
• Swimming in two resort style pools and kids playground
• Enjoying meals at the on-site pub, cafe and restaurant
• Seeing emu’s up close (very close)

If you don’t have a boat, there are fantastic sailing and wildlife cruises that run daily. If you do have a boat—and you love fishing—plan to stay a week. The waters here are alive.

More to Explore in Shark Bay

If you’ve got extra time, we recommend adding these gems to your itinerary:

• Ocean Park Aquarium – Fascinating marine displays and a great café overlooking the ocean. We found it great to learn more about the marine life we say in the area.
• Shell Beach – Made entirely of white cockle shells, this beach feels like something from another planet.
• Eagle Bluff – A high boardwalk with views down into crystal-clear shallows full of sharks, turtles and rays.
• Whalebone Campground – For those who like it rustic, this free camp offers a peaceful base just out of town. Its one of five camps that you can stay at for low-cost (there is a 24hr limit on each camp).
• Dirk Hartog Island – Wild, remote and rich in history. Day trips are offered from Denham.

Shark Bay isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience. Whether you’re chasing epic landscapes, marine encounters, or just that deep exhale only the ocean gives you, this place delivers in spades.

We have visited Shark Bay twice and it gave us memories we’ll never forget.

We’re already dreaming of going back—and next time, Dirk Hartog Island is definitely on the cards.