The small settlement of Denmark, population 4,400, is located on the Wilson Inlet. It can be found on Bibbulmun Track map 8 - Denmark/Albany.
The town of Denmark was established in 1884, to service the timber industry. It was named after Dr Alexander Denmark, a naval physician, and friend of Dr Thomas Wilson, who discovered the Wilson Inlet. Sadly, when the magnificent karri began to run out, many people left, leaving only a few settlers to struggle through the ill fated Group Settlement Scheme and the depression of the 1930’s. However, Denmark survived, and now is a popular tourist destination. Popular scenic drives around Denmark include the Scotsdale Tourist Drive and the Mount Shadforth Scenic Drive. These offer changing vistas of pastured farmland, forest and ocean, with distant views of the Porongurups and Stirling Ranges.
Handy contacts
Getting there
Denmark is located 424km south-east of Perth. It is a drive of approximately five hours from Perth, along the Albany Highway to Mt Barker, and along the Denmark-Mt Barker Road thereafter.
Albany is about 60km east of Denmark. It is a drive of approximately 45 minutes along the South Coast Highway. Walpole is about 66km west of Denmark, some 50 minutes along the South Coast Highway.
Alternatively, take the TransWA Australind train from Perth City Railway Station to the Bunbury Passenger Terminal, with a bus connection to Denmark, or the coach from the Perth East Terminal to Denmark. Check with the operators beforehand to determine the days on which these services operate. Denmark has a taxi service, and a few local transport operators will transfer walkers to the Track in the Denmark area.
Accommodation & service providers
Denmark has a large range of accommodation, from a caravan park to budget/backpackers, motel/hotels, self-contained units and B&Bs, to luxury resorts. It also has supermarkets, general stores, a laundry, a pharmacy, Internet access, cafés and several restaurants. A small range of camping gear, including camping fuel, is available from the local hardware store.
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Along the Track…
The magnificent William Bay National Park, west of Denmark, offers tough beach walking, glorious rock pools and spectacular views from Tower Hill. On the ridges above Lights Beach, walkers are treated to visions of clear blue ocean water on one side and wildflowers blooming in the surrounding heathlands on the other. Not far beyond, the Track ascends to Monkey Rock and Mount Hallowell, providing further expansive outlooks over coast and hinterland.
On the east side of Denmark, the Nullaki Peninsula is a bird watchers paradise. Waterbirds abound, including large flocks of black swans in the summer months, pelicans, ducks of various species, cormorants, egrets, and other waders. On a clear day the Stirling Ranges can be seen, 100km away to the north-east. However to reach the Nullaki Peninsula, walkers must first traverse the Wilson Inlet, and there are various means of achieving this.
Further along the Track towards Albany, walkers will have to cross the mouth of the Torbay Inlet, located between Cosy Corner and Mutton Bird Road. The water in the channel of the inlet is rarely more than ankle deep but can reach well over one metre deep during peak flows.
Crossing Wilson Inlet
The Bibbulmun Track arrives on the shore of the Wilson Inlet at the mouth of the Denmark River, and resumes on the far side of the inlet, on the Nullaki Peninsula. There are several options available to walkers needing to cross from Denmark to Nullaki. Before undertaking this section, please contact the DEC office in Albany or Walpole for the latest conditions on the Wilson Inlet, and the alternative routes.
1. Walking
For six to eight months of the year, normally from late summer to September, the Wilson Inlet is separated from the sea by a sandbar. Southbound walkers can access the sandbar at the southern end of Ocean Beach Road, approximately 8.5 kms from the centre of Denmark. It is possible to walk across the sandbar, and this alternative route is marked in green on Bibbulmun Track map 8. Please check with the DEC office in Albany or Walpole as to whether the sandbar is closed. Note that this is not the official Bibbulmun Track route, and as such, it is not marked with Waugal trail markers. It is, however, a public access way that uses the Wilson Inlet foreshore reserve and borders the private Nullaki Wilderness Estate. If you use this alternative route, please stay on the vehicle track and respect the rights of private property owners. Having traversed the sandbar at Ocean Beach, skirt the edge of the south shore of the inlet, passing low-lying salt flats. This section may well be under water up to 600mm deep. Follow a vehicle track, which skirts the edge of the inlet through fringing paperbarks and sedgelands. After two kilometres, go through a gate and then shortly after pass a private residence. After five kilometres, you will reach a sealed access road to a boat ramp on the left. The Track continues straight ahead after you cross the road.
Albany to Denmark walkers, reverse the above. After leaving the Track, continue walking along the walk trail that continues westwards. Cross the sealed boat ramp access road, and continue on towards the western end of the Nullaki Peninsula. After about five kilometres, pass a private residence on your right and, shortly after, go through a gate. Follow the old vehicle track that skirts the shore of the inlet all the way to the sandbar. After crossing the sandbar, walkers can make their way to Denmark town along Ocean Beach Road.
2. Boat
It is possible to hire a boat in order to cross the inlet. A fee will be charged for this service. There is a boat available dependant on the wind. The boat takes 3 adults plus backpacks. You have to phone to confirm the night before 0429 421 786
3. Vehicle
It is possible to hire a vehicle to transport you around the inlet. Companies that will do this are:
Denmark Cabs: 9848 2295
Out of Sight! Tours: 9848 2814 or 0427 234 388
Little River Discovery Tours: 9848 2604
Windrose B&B: 9848 3502
Blue Wren Traveller's Rest: 9848 3300
Crossing Torbay Inlet
The Torbay Inlet channel is rarely more than ankle deep, but it can be well over one metre deep during peak flows. For many months of the year, it is easily traversed, as a sand bar blocks the channel. When the channel is open, usually during winter and spring months, the crossing can be waded using extreme caution. If the water appears to be flowing swiftly upstream, walk across at the sea end of the inlet. This is usually fairly shallow. When wading through any body of water, which is more than shin deep, make sure that you unfasten the waistband and sternum straps of your pack. This precaution allows for easy and immediate removal of your backpack if you fall over in the water. If you are in doubt about the safety of the crossing or if the water is greater than thigh deep, take the alternative route marked in green on Bibbulmun Track map 8.
You are advised to contact the relevant DEC district office for information about channel conditions just before you plan to make the crossing. For Wilson Inlet, contact DEC’s Walpole office or Albany office. For Torbay Inlet, contact DEC’s Albany office. It is recommended that you check the latest Track conditions before you start a walk on the Bibbulmun Track in this area.
Suggested walks
Day walks:
- William Bay Road to Denmark one-way (20.9km). To get to William Bay Road from Denmark, take the South Coast Highway west for 14km, turn left on to William Bay Road, continue for 5km and drive down to the beach. From Walpole, take South Coast Highway east for 52km, turn right on to William Bay Road, continue for 5km and drive down to the beach.
- Cosy Corner to Shelley Beach lookout and back (17km). To get to Shelley Beach lookout car park from Denmark, take the South Coast Highway east for 18km, turn right on to Lower Denmark Road and carry on for approximately 10km. Turn right on to Hortin Road, continue for 3.5km and turn right into Shelley Beach Road. Follow the road to the lookout. From Albany, take Lower Denmark Road for 27km, turn left into Cosy Corner Road, continue for 3km, turn right into Coombes Road, drive for 3km, then turn left into Shelley Beach Road for a 4.5km drive to the lookout.
Overnight walks:
- Denmark to William Bay campsite return (40.4km, two days, one night).
- Denmark to Cosy Corner one-way (49.5km, three or four days, two or three nights – not including the boat trip across Wilson Inlet).
Albany is the next town after Denmark for walkers heading south. Denmark to Albany is a walk of 83.5km, which takes approximately five days, four nights.
Although Walpole is the next town after Denmark for walkers heading north (Denmark to Walpole is a walk of 126.6km, which takes approximately five or six days, six or seven nights), Peaceful Bay is a popular intermediate starting point. Peaceful Bay is 65.2km from Denmark, usually walked in three days, two nights.
For more information visit our day walk webpage and check out the Denmark/Albany day walk map pack which has further suggestions.