William Bay National Park
William Bay National Park is renowned for its indswept granite rocks which have a striking primeval appearance. William Bay National Park has a complex of heathlands. This habitat is of special interest to the botanically inclined, as it contains many common karri forest species. Granite boulders and rocky shelves form much of the coastline between Greens Pool and Madfish Bay, extending 100 metres or more out to sea, and creating a reef which bears the brunt of heavy seas. Inside the reef, sheltered pools, channels and granite terraces create a fascinating seascape for beachcombing. There are approximately 100 species of birds and many species of marsupial including Pigmy Possum and Honey Possum. Wildflowers are particularly spectacular from August to October. Fishing is popular at all coastal Parks and species caught include Australian Salmon, Mulloway, Whiting and Herring.
The beach at William Bay is narrow, and the sand tossed up by winter storms blows inland to build up high coastal dunes. Some sand dunes have travelled a few kilometres inland before being colonised by dense scrub and trees, to form an undulating row of sandy hills parallel to the coast. At William Bay, extensive tracts of bare, moving sand dunes are still actively burying living stands of karri forest and, as the sand moves, revealing the upper parts of majestic old karri trees, which were once covered by shifting sand.
Information For Travellers
Access by Car: 15 kilometres west of Denmark (15 minutes drive, 45 minutes from Albany), 45 kilometres east of Walpole. Approach via South Coast Highway and William Bay Road.
Open Times: All year round
Disabled Access: At Greens Pool the lookout and toilets have been designed to give disabled people easy access.
Activities: Fishing – Beach, Walking.
Related Travel Information
Nambung National Park
Nambung National Park is situated on the coast of Western Australia and is about three hours travelling time north of Perth. This park features beautiful beaches, coastal dune systems, shady groves of tuart trees and low heathland rich in flowering plants. The vegetation bursts into flower from August to October, creating a memorable spectacle for visitors. In the midst of this diversity is one of Australia's most fascinating areas - the Pinnacles Desert, one of Australia's best known landscapes. Here, thousands of huge limestone pillars rise from the shifting yellow sands.
Low scrub throughout the park makes easy walking
Batemans Bay
A delightful small holiday/fishing town on the Clyde River it was named by Captain Cook in 1770 for the captain of one of his previous ships. Being the closest coastal town to Canberra it attracts many visitors and is renowned for its crayfish and oysters.
BATEMANS BAY, at the mouth of the Clyde River and the end of the highway from Canberra, is a favourite escape for the landlocked residents of the capital, just 152km away. It’s not the most exciting place on the coast, but since it’s a fair-sized resort, there’s plenty to do.
Batemans Bay Tourist
Moreton Bay
The forest of masts on Manly's tranquil marina promises smooth sailing on the crystal-clear waters of Moreton Bay. Here, at the mouth of the Brisbane River, a comfortable culture thrives in perpetual slow-motion. Across the bay, North Stradbroke Island offers wonderful snorkeling, diving, and swimming, while several other islands offer even more secluded, relaxed getaways. Although the area lacks pre-packaged fun, its lack of crowds and high-rises make Moreton Bay a mellow place to unwind.
Jervis Bay
Just southeast of Nowra, the sheltered waters of Jervis Bay, (pronounced “Jarvis”) by a political quirk, are technically part of the ACT, in order to provide Canberra with access to the sea. The beautiful coast of the Jervis Bay National Park, at the southeast arm of the bay, is very popular, with its rugged cliffs facing the pounding ocean and tranquil beaches of dazzling white sand and clear water within the confines of the bay, while inland heaths, wetlands and forests offer strolls and bushwalks; details are available from the visitor centre as you enter the park.
There
Denmark
Located 66km east of Walpole along the South Coast Highway, Denmark is green, squeaky clean, and proud of it. Though originally a timber town, Denmark rapidly exhausted its trees and has since turned into quite an earth-friendly place. Today the town has a thriving organic farming scene and won the 1998 national "Tidy Town" title for its appearance and progressive environmental policies. Denmark has more organic produce shops, health food stores, and whole grain bakeries than you'd expect to find in a town of its size, and town folks are a friendly, crunchy lot.
Denmark's coastline is impressive, and has spots
