Denmark

Denmark is a popular tourist town which has a relaxed village atmosphere, romantic timber milling history and incredible coastal scenery. Just 45 minutes drive west of Albany on the southern coast, Denmark stands on the shores of the spectacular Wilson Inlet and boasts glorious swimming, surfing and fishing beaches.

There’s plenty of attractions in town with the historic fire station, old butter factory, Denmark’s first school, and the popular drinking hole the Denmark Hotel. You can also explore the town’s maze, alpaca stud, animal farm and sandalwood shop or take a whale watching tour.

A pleasant day on the river.
A pleasant day on the river.
Water lovers can hire canoes, motorboats, paddleboats or aqua bikes and mess around on the river. Throw in a line for herring, salmon and bream at Lights Beach or just kick back and watch the waves crashing over the rocks at Wilson Head and Lions Lookout.

Denmark is known to the aboriginal community as Kwoorabup meaning place of the Black Swan. Prior to European settlement, Denmark was an area of cultural interaction between the Bibbulmun group to the west and the Minang (Menang) group of the Great Southern.

Wilson Inlet and its tributaries formed a focal point for Noongar people who managed and utilized the Inlet and its abundant natural resources.

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. 

Up & down the Track

Albany is a 60km drive east of Denmark which takes approximately 45 minutes along the South Coast Highway. The walk between Denmark and Albany (83.5km) usually takes five days.

Peaceful Bay is 41km west of Denmark - a 30 minute drive along the South Coast Highway and Peaceful Bay Road. The walk between Denmark and Peaceful Bay (65.2km) usually takes three days.

For travel details to Denmark view the Section by Section guide.

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