Dirk Hartog Island National Park
Home | Shark Bay, WA
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Overview
Highlights
Dirk Hartog Island is located off Shark Bay on Western Australia's Coral Coast, and can be accessed by 4WD from Steep Point, or by boat or aircraft. A high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to drive on the island and only 20 private vehicles are permitted at any one time. The island’s single lane four-wheel drive tracks are mostly soft sand but are rocky in places.
Many marine creatures are regularly spotted off the beaches of Dirk Hartog Island including pods of Bottlenose dolphins, Humpback whales, Manta rays, Gugong and Turtles. This remote eco tourism island is a great place for four wheel driving along pristine beaches and over massive sand dunes. Snorkeling is out of this world and beaches are ideal for swimming and relaxing.
Dirk Hartog Island has a unique place within Australia's history, as the site of the first recorded European landing on Australian soil, in 1616 by the island's namesake Dutch captain Dirk Hartog. This landing was more than 150 years before Captain James Cook officially discovered Australia.
Visit the island on a day trip from Denham or pitch a tent and camp overnight. The island's homestead is located with the original limestone shearer's quarters, built over a century ago. It offers catered accommodation for up to 14 people. Tourists are advised to check for alerts and road/park closures before commencing their travel on www.emergency.wa.gov.au and https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au
Activities
- Snorkelling
- Sight-seeing
- Four-wheeling driving
- Camping
- Swimming
Facilities
- Camping sites - book via WA Parks and Wildlife
- Four-wheel drive tracks
- Campfires are not permitted on Dirk Hartog Island.
- There are no amenities, services or supplies so you need to be entirely self-sufficient.
- Please take all of your rubbish off the island with you.
Important Information
Guidelines
- Always do some research before heading out for your journey. Visit the local visitor information centre for the most up to date information.
- When visiting the island please make sure you don’t bring any unwanted pests with you. Check your gear and vehicle for hitchhikers like geckos, rats and seeds. See the island protection page for more about keeping our islands free of unwanted pests.
- Stay safe and get the most out of your visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.
- Wear suitable footwear and ensure to wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the elements when outside exploring.
- Plan ahead and ensure to take enough food and water for your journey. Be prepared for the heat. Take at least 10 litres of water for each person per day.
- Always stay on the marked tracks where possible. Never climb fences, they are there for your own safety.
- Please consider the environment, take your rubbish with you or place in the bins provided. We want to ensure these beautiful places are still here for our future generations to enjoy.
- Ensure to let a responsible adult know of your plans and report back into them once you have finished exploring for the day.
- National park fees may apply for national parks in Western Australia. Check the parks website for bookings and/ or further details.
- Entry fees may change at anytime at the discretion of WA Parks and Wildlife Services, check their website for the most up to date information.
Photo credits: WA Parks and Wildlife Service
Content credits: WA Parks and Wildlife Service & Aussie Bucket List®
Location & Supplier
Dirk Hartog Island
Address: Dirk Hartog Island WA 6537
Website: https://www.sharkbay.org/place/dirk-hartog-island-national-park/
12 people have added this to their Bucket List
