Shark bay World heritage / Denham 27th

 Up the road and into Denham

We stayed at the Denham Sea side caravan park and had a beach front site. They had a deal stay 3 pay for 2 nights so that's what we did. We used this place as a base for all our activities when at Shark bay. Its kind of right in the middle of things. We were going to 4WD and stay on the beach at François Peron National Park however we were feeling a bit weary and couldn't be bothered getting bogged in the soft sand that is at most campsites in the park.

On our way we stopped at Shelly beach. Appropriately named as the beach is totally made up of tiny shells about 2 metres deep. Nash says it would be great place to use remote control cars as there are lots of mounds of shells that are pretty compacted that would make a great track. The water is blue blue and shells are white white what can I say. There is also a fence there that was put in place to try and eradicate all feral animals mainly cats. If you walk up to it the fence barks!!!

After we set up we headed into François Peron NP for a dip in the thermal pools that are at the back of the ranger station. The water comes out about 43 degrees so it is HOT. There is a old shearing and wool shed on site that tells of the pioneer history.

We stopped off at little lagoon and took a drive on the beach. No swimming here as there are plenty of stone fish in the creek and surrounds.

(Stone fish are deadly) the toxin doesn't kill you but the intense pain causes cardiac arrest.

We booked a tour to Dirk Hartog Island with shark bay marine safaris the following day. This Island is famous for being the first recorded landing of Europeans in 1616. Dirk Hartog landed here and placed a pewter plate with an inscription that basically says  'DIRK WAS HERE 1616'. Its was put a bit more elegantly than that of course.  That place is now known as inscription point. The tour was a small group and the day consisted of two guides one a university student studying turtles and the other a shark enthusiast. A boat trip to the island and 4WD tracks to Surf Point and the Blow holes. The west coast of the island is wild with sheer cliffs dropping down to a pounding sea. The sound of the waves and air being forced through the rocks and caves was a display of Mother nature showing whos boss. We all enjoyed a hot choc at the homestead and were farewelled from the  island by a lone Pelican. 

Leaving Denham

Arriving Dirk Hartog Island

View from surf point to Steep Point

 ( Steep Point is the most westerly point on Mainland Australia)

We saw loggerhead turtles and nervous sharks.

These liitle guys were all over the beach so cute

The blow holes

Our ride

Looking to Madagascar 

 View from the cafe/bar 

We got back from our Island adventure in time to go to the Ocean aquarium that was just out of town.

This was an informative place with lots of sea creatures from Shark bay. Everyone who works there is a Marine biologist and has a passion for sea life. We saw some fantastic things.

This fish has learnt to spit water at you for a feed

This guy is like Jagger 

This is a  Stone fish that can be fatal.