Department of Environment and Conservation

Nearest town:
Park fee: AUD $ 11.00
Introduction:

Francois Peron National Park, an impressive area of acacia cloaked red dunes and arid shrubland surrounded by turquoise water. Most of the 52,500 hectare park is a four-wheel-drivers paradise, offering remote camping sites and access to beaches and fishing spots. In the south is the Peron Homestead where you can explore the park's historic past or relax in the artesian hot tub. The park is in the midst of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and is adjacent to the Shark Bay Marine Park.

 Francois Peron National Park brochure (1.46 MB) 

The park was once a pastoral station, and you can reach the old homestead by two-wheel-drive (entry fees are payable) to experience what life would have been like on a remote sheep station. Beyond the homestead is a wilderness area.

You need a four-wheel-drive to visit Peron's scenic coastline with dramatic contrasts of red cliffs, blue water and white beaches. From the cliffs of Cape Peron visitors may see bottlenose dolphins playing, dugongs feeding, green and loggerhead turtles surfacing for air and large manta rays gliding past just beneath the surface. The park and the rest of the peninsula is interspersed with gypsum claypans known as birridas. Most birridas were landlocked saline lakes when sea levels were much higher than at present, and gypsum was deposited on the lake floors. In some places the sea has invaded the claypans, such as at Big Lagoon, to form a shallow inland bay. The area was used by pearlers in the late 1800s and old pearl shells still litter the beach at Herald Bight, the site of a pearling camp.

Regular four-wheel-drive nature-based tours and cruises to the more remote areas of the park may be booked through the Shark Bay Tourist Centre.

Project Eden

Francois Peron National Park plays a key role in Project Eden, a bold environmental project that is attempting to reintroduce locally extinct species to the peninsula by controlling feral predators. Animal species such as the red-tailed phascogale, rufous hare-wallaby, banded hare-wallaby, western barred bandicoot and chuditch may soon be reintroduced. Woylies, bilbies and malleefowl have already been released. Project Eden is set to make the Shark Bay World Heritage Area one of the wildlife wonders of the world.

The Peron Homestead

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.

A small interpretive centre depicts stories of indigenous inhabitants, European colonisation and current day conservation programs such as Project Eden. The artesian hot tub is a popular spot to relax and soak in the hot artesian waters that originally supplied vital water to the station's stock. A barbecue and lawns are provided for picnicking.

Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon is an example of what was once a land-locked saline lake that is now a shallow inland bay. Rising sea-levels in recent geological times inundated the small lake system creating this attractive turquoise lagoon. An important fish nursery, Big Lagoon's northern waters are a sanctuary zone where fishing is prohibited. Exploring the lagoon by canoe or sea-kayak is a great way to get up close and personal to this natural gem. For another perspective take a scenic flight and the lagoon's true grandeur will be revealed.

A small campground with gas BBQs and toilets is located at the lagoon and there is a site for launching boats nearby. Camping fees apply.

Skipjack Point and Cape Peron

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.

At Cape Peron there is interpretive signage, a picnic area with tables, toilets and beach access. Try your hand at fishing here to see what might be lurking offshore.

Herald Bight

The only camp site on the eastern side of the national park, Herald Bight offers some protection from the prevailing south-westerly winds. Once a pearling camp in the late 1880's, you can still find pearl shell on the beach, signs of times long past.

The informal campsite has a toilet and small boats can be launched from the beach for access to the Shark Bay Marine Park.

Bottle Bay, Gregories and South Gregories

These popular sites are all located within a few kilometres of each other on the northern beaches of the park. All three campsites are old favourites for fishers and beach lovers due to their proximity to the beach and easy access for launching dinghies and trying a spot of fishing. Facilities are basic with only toilets and gas BBQs provided; therefore campers will need to be self reliant. There is no drinking water so ensure you bring enough for your stay.

Take a walk along the beach and marvel at the rich red cliffs contrasting with the surrounding turquoise water. At Gregories a rock shelf parallel to the coast is an excellent spot for snorkelling with the chance to drift along the wall and spot some of the local marine life.

Fishing is popular along this stretch of coastline either from the shoreline or small dinghies launched off the beach. Whiting, bream and kingfish can all be caught in the area. Cattle Well, just south of these campsites, is a day use area that offers the chance to wet a line and possibly catch a feed of whiting. No camping is permitted here.

Access

Access to the park is from the Monkey Mia Road, about four kilometres east of Denham. The road to the Peron Homestead is usually accessible for 2WD vehicles but conditions vary so check with the Department of Environment and Conservation in Denham for more details. For travel further north into the park, a high-clearance 4WD is essential. It is imperative that you lower your vehicle's tyre pressure before travelling beyond the Peron Homestead. This area is also not suitable for large caravans or boat trailers; only camper trailers and dinghies may be taken beyond this point.

Many old station tracks are being revegetated, and some are for management purposes only. Follow the signs and stay on the correct roads. Do not drive over the soft gypsum pans (birridas). Their geological structure consists of a thin surface crust over a bog mire, kept wet by groundwater. Vehicles attempting to cross birridas will get bogged. The recovery of bogged vehicles is not only costly and time consuming, but scars the birrida and degrades the surrounding vegetation. These landscapes are fragile and very difficult to rehabilitate.

Activities and highlights

Camping: Camping areas are located at Big Lagoon, Gregories, South Gregories, Bottle Bay and Herald Bight. 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.

Boating, fishing and other water activities: Fishing is a popular activity in the Shark Bay Marine Park, and many species will take a bait all year round. Species commonly encountered on Peron Peninsula include whiting, bream and kingfish. Dinghies can be launched from the beaches at Big Lagoon, Gregories, South Gregories, Bottle Bay and Herald Bight. Larger boats can be launched at the formed boat ramps at Denham and Monkey Mia.

Please remember that special rules apply to fishing and other activities in the Shark Bay Marine Park. Fishing is not permitted in sanctuary zones such as in the northern waters of Big Lagoon, an important fish nursery habitat. In the special purpose zones around Cape Peron and the mouth of Big Lagoon, drop nets for crabs are allowed but set netting and spearfishing are not permitted. Because of the prevalence of dolphins and dugongs, waterskiing and freestyle jet skiing are also not permitted. Visit the page on the Shark Bay Marine Park for further information including regulations and marine zone locations.

Walking: Two formal walktrails are provided in the park.

• Pastoral Lifestyle Walktrail -- This 45 minute trail from the Peron homestead takes visitors through the homestead and outbuildings of the former pastoral station
• Wanamalu Trail -- Stretches for 1.5 kilometres along the cliff edge between Cape Peron and Skipjack Point offering fantastic photo opportunities. The 45-minute (one-way) walk provides excellent views of the coastline and it is common to see marine wildlife such as rays, sharks, dolphins, schools and fish and flocks of cormorants.

Swimming is fine at all camp site beaches however it is not recommended at Cape Peron due to the meeting of two strong currents.

Snorkelling: The ledge close to shore at Gregories is an excellent snorkelling site where you can drift along and observe the abundant marine life. The ledge can be accessed from shore but wear protective shoes because of the presence of stonefish in the area.

Diving: Lying in about 6 metres of water about 10km off Cape Peron is the wreck of the Gudrun, the largest wooden shipwreck off Western Australia and home to a stunning proliferation of marine life. Scuba divers may spot groper, lionfish, pilotfish, batfish, sweetlip, trevally and mackerel. Be aware, the currents can be very dangerous and the site should only be dived on a turning tide (preferably a neap tide). Novice and visiting divers should dive with an experienced operator. The wreck is now protected by the Gudrun Sanctuary Zone; all fishing, collecting and removal of artefacts is prohibited.

Sea-kayaking is another popular activity around Peron Peninsula, the shallow and protected waters provide the ideal setting for exploring the coastline around the park. Trips between Monkey Mia and Denham around the perimeter of the park are offered by commercial companies based in Perth. Visit Tourism Western Australia's website for all tour bookings. Guidelines are available from the Department of Environment and Conservation office in Denham.

Four-wheel-driving and commercial tours: Most of the park is only accessible by 4WD. All tracks north of the Peron Homestead are deep soft sand offering challenging conditions for drivers. Low clearance vehicles, caravans and large trailers are not suitable on these deeply rutted tracks.

You can use your own 4WD vehicle for a trip to the northern parts of the park or take a 4WD tour with a company from Monkey Mia or Denham. Tours visit the lookouts at Skipjack Point and other scenic locations in the park. Visit the Shark Bay tourism website for more information.

Tyre pressure is of paramount importance. Many a driver has become stuck on the tracks because they have failed to drop their tyre pressure, sometimes with almost catastrophic consequences. Generally tyre pressure should be reduced to 20psi or less depending on your vehicle. Tyres can be reinflated back in Denham or with your own compressor.

Fees

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

Region: Midwest
Where is it?: Francois Peron National Park lies 10 kilometres from Denham, 340 kilometres from Carnarvon and 410 kilometres from Geraldton.
Travelling time: Denham is four hours from Geraldton and three hours drive from Carnarvon. Francois Peron National Park is a further 15 minutes drive from Denham.Commercial flights operate to Shark Bay and airfare and accommodation packages are available. By road, take the Brand Highway to Geraldton and the North West Coastal Highway to Overlander, then turn left to Denham.
Access: You will need a high-clearance four wheel drive to access the park (low-clearance four wheel drives are unsuitable).
Best season: Between April and October, when winds are generally lightest and the temperature is in the mid-20s (degrees Celcius). Temperatures can be extremely hot in summer.
What to see and do: Important area for reintroducing threatened species, red cliffs contrast with blue water and white beaches, marine life, bush camping, four-wheel-driving, walking, beach fishing and swimming.
Safety information: Soft tracks make driving in this area hazardous. Reduce your tyre pressure to 20psi (or less if required) or risk getting bogged. Access tracks are single lane only, so take care on bends and pull off for oncoming vehicles. Strong currents at Cape Peron make swimming dangerous. Wood-burning fires of any kind are not permitted. Please use the gas barbecues at the camp sites or bring a gas BBQ with you.
Camping: There are bush camping areas with few facilities (toilets and gas barbecues) at Gregories, Cape Peron, Bottle Bay, Herald Bight and Big Lagoon. All are accessible only by four-wheel-drive (low clearance 4WD unsuitable).
Facilities: Historic homestead, information panels, barbecues, hot tub, grassed area, car park and toilets at Peron Homestead.
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Nearest DEC Office: Denham
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