Page 332 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

330  WESTERN A USTR ALIA

6 Shark Bay World Heritage and Marine Park

Shark Bay Marine Park was designated a World Heritage
Area in 1991 (see pp30–31). The park is home to many
endangered species of plants and animals, and various
unusual natural processes have, over the millennia,
given rise to some astounding natural features and Bernier
spectacular coastal scenery. Because this is a World Island
Heritage Area, visitors are asked to abide by
conservation rules, particularly when fishing. The only
way to travel around the park is by car, and large areas
are only accessible by 4WD.
Dorre
François Peron Island
National Park
At the tip of Peron
Peninsula, this
national park, now
accessible by 4WD,
was a vast sheep
station until 1990.

Dirk
Hartog
Island
Denham Sound Francois Peron
National Park

Peron Homestead
Originally the centre of the Peron sheep station,
the homestead offers an insight into pastoral life.
The station also has two artesian bores that carry
hot water (44°C, 111°F) to tubs at the surface in
which visitors may bathe.
Useless
Loop
KEY
1 The Zuytdorp Cliffs are named
after the Dutch ship Zuytdorp,
wrecked in these waters in 1721.
2 Steep Point faces the Indian
Ocean and is the westernmost point
of mainland Australia. From here it is Useless Loop Road
possible to see the Zuytdorp Cliffs.
3 Denham was originally settled as
a pearling community, but is now
mainly a fishing and tourist centre.
4 Cape Inscription is the place
where Dutchman Dirk Hartog
became the first known European to Eagle Bluff
set foot in Australia in 1616 (see p53). The top of this bluff offers fine panoramic views across
Freycinet Reach, with a chance of seeing the eagles
5 Northwest Coastal Highway that nest on the offshore islands and marine creatures
in the clear ocean waters.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp490–91 and pp521–22