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Shark Bay World Heritage Drive Shark Bay World Heritage Drive

2WD  in Coral Coast

  • Multiple day
  • 160 km

Shark Bay is the most western point of the coast of Australia and is made up of two peninsulas jutting out into the Indian Ocean.

The 160 kilometre Shark Bay World Heritage Drive runs between the Overlander Roadhouse on the NW Coastal Hwy to Monkey Mia, where a pod of dolphins have made their home and freely interact with visitors.

 

 

Denham is an attractive little town offering basic shopping, fuel and access to the beach and a boat ramp
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This self-drive trail takes in all the significant features that give Shark Bay its World Heritage Listing. Unique features include the largest sea grass beds in the world - providing food for the dugong (sea cow), the tiny cockleshells of Shell Beach, the stromatolites of Hamelin Bay and the dolphins at Monkey Mia.

Interpretive signage exists at the sites along the drive that relate to the World Heritage listing.

Visit the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre for information on the trail, whales, manta rays, turtles, sharks, fish species, walk trails and the World Heritage features throughout the Shark Bay area.

Specific interests of the drive include the stories of the early Dutch, French and English explorers of the area, the endangered species reintroduced with Project Eden, the views of Eagle Bluff and Shell Beach and the beautiful Ocean Park, Nanga Bay, Hamelin Bay and Peron Peninsula.

Denham (Shark Bay) Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9943 2226

Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre

1300 367 072

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Be trail ready for Shark Bay World Heritage Drive

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

Up to 5 days

Length

160km

What To Pack

Group D - Drive Trails (Drive trails: 2WD & 4WD) required.

Trail Start

Overlander Roadhouse, North West Coastal Highway, Hamelin Pool which is 700km (9 hours) north of Perth

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Trail End

Monkey Mia

Get directions

Facilities

Camping in the Shire of Shark Bay is restricted and designated to four areas and allowed overnight only. Permission must be obtained from the Visitor Centre
  • Camping
  • Lookouts
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • All accessible toilet facilities
  • Visitor Information Centre

Fees

National Park fees apply

Trail Access

Air or bus to Monkey Mia. Drive to Overlander Roadhouse. Suitable for 2WD vehicles

Prohibited Items

No pets in National Park areas
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2 trail goers have rated Shark Bay World Heritage Drive as 4 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Chelle Fisher

Reviewed 7 Sep 2022, 10:27am

Absolutely love the Shark Bay Heritage area. Outstanding part of Western Australia with so much to see!
Daniel Francis

Reviewed 26 Apr 2014, 2:39pm

Shark bay is far more than just dolphins. This drive takes you to all the features that made this area world heritage, and although it is long and some of the features like the Stromatolites are not super spectacular, together they provide an unsurpassed view into the wonders of nature and outback Western Australia.

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