Shark Bay Camping

Are you looking for a National Park to explore in Western Australia where you can do some camping & fishing on the beach ?

We love visiting National Parks so while we were staying in Denham , Shark Bay we decided to take a drive through the nearby Francois Peron National Park .

As you go in there is a place for you to pay your entry fees either for just the day or camping fees at one of the spots in the park.

There is air compressor as you go in to let your tyres down to the recommended safe level for driving in sand which is highly advisable for the driving needed in the park

This trip is only for high clearance 4 wheel drives due to the large amount of sand as you drive around the park!

The Shark Bay World Heritage Area encompasses some of Australia’s most impressive and significant natural treasures; so much so that is has been rated as one of the world’s most important natural sites; a World Heritage site

.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. Some of the animals you might see in the area include euros, thorny devils, racehorse goannas, emus, fairy-wrens and thick billed grass wrens.

. In the south you can explore the park’s historic past at The Peron homestead precinct, just six kilometres off the Monkey Mia Road,it has a visitor centre, a self guided station walk trail, picnic facilities and even a hot tub where you can soak in artisan water which we enjoyed

Entrance and camping fees apply to visitors. A visitor fee collection box is located at the park entrance, where you turn off the Monkey Mia Road. Your fees are used to maintain and develop the park.
Entry fees

$11 per car per day (up to 8 people)
$5 per motor cycle and concession card holders
$5 per passenger on buses Holiday and annual passes are also available at Department of Environment and Conservation offices

Camping

$7 per person for camping
$5 for concession cardholders
$2 for children under 16

At the northerly tip of the national park is Cape Peron, sitting at the confluence of two major currents, the cape attracts an impressive array of marine life. At nearby Skipjack Point you can view the wildlife from two spectacularly located viewing platforms, perched on the cliff edge with views out across the marine park.

When we reached the tip at Point Peron & looked over the cliffs we saw a very very long line of these Comorants !

I asked a local later what the comorants where waiting for !

He told me they were waiting to go fishing ! As soon as one catches a fish they are all on their way!

We Knew they wasn't waiting for a bus !

Most of the park is a four-wheel-drivers paradise, offering remote camping sites & facilities and access to beaches and fishing spots.at Big Lagoon, Bottle Bay, Herald Bight and Gregories beaches

 Each campsite is on the coastline with easy access to the beach for fishing and for launching small dinghies. There is no booking system so sites are available on a first come – first served basis. The busiest times are during the school holidays and when the southerly winds drop in winter.

Only limited facilities are provided. No provision is made for caravans. Carry all of your rubbish with you when leaving the park. To protect native plants and animals, open fires, firearms and pets are not allowed.

After our big drive for miles  through the sand , walks along the beach and up to the lookout  & our swim it was time to stop and visit the homestead for alate  picnic lunch & a soak in the hottub there !

The Peron Homestead precinct provides an insight into how life was when the park was a working sheep station. A self guided walk trail around the precinct explores the history of the area, visiting the shearing shed, shearer’s quarters and stock yards. Signs explain the station’s interesting history along the way. 

And of course the hot tub which is great for any aches & pains you might have .

There are a few rules for the hottub

Please keep glass out of the hot tub area  and supervise small children if you take them  soaking in the tub .

The artesian water is hot and soaking for extended periods can cause dehydration. Take regular breaks and drink plenty of water but not from the hot tub as the  artesian waters are not safe for drinking .