William Bay National Park

Introduction

This relatively small park between Walpole and Denmark on the state’s south coast, protects stunning forest and coastline dotted with windswept granite tors. The shoreline follows the curve of William Bay and is renowned for one of the most scenic swimming spots in the state, Greens Pool, where the calm waters are ideal for family swimming and snorkelling. A natural sea pool, Greens is sheltered from the waves of the Southern Ocean by a reef of granite rocks. Nearby is a walkway and viewing platform, which provides panoramic views of the coastline. Nearby is Elephant Rocks, so named because the massive rounded boulders in the cove resemble elephants wallowing in the shallows. The coastal heathland behind the beaches, also studded with granite tors, is an undulating coastal environment favouring dense thickets of peppermint with pockets of karri forest. Wildflowers bloom at any time of the year, with peak flowering in spring.There are many good fishing spots, with salmon, mulloway, herring and King George whiting among the catch; Madfish Bay, about 2 kilometres east of Elephant Rocks, is very popular, as is Lights Beach, on the eastern extremity of the park, reached via a 4WD track off the South Coast Highway. With around 10 kilometres of scenic beaches and headlands to explore, beachcombing and photography are two other activities to enjoy. Keen bushwalkers might like to walk a section of the Bibbulmun Track, Western Australia’s only long-distance walking trail, which passes through William Bay National Park on its way from Perth to Albany.

Fact file

Camping

No camping

Location and access

70 km west of Albany; 52 km east of Walpole; 15 km west of Denmark; via South Coast Hwy

Park Information

CALM Walpole (08) 9840 1027

Size

1867 ha

Where to Stay

Denmark (08) 9848 2055
Parry Beach campsites
(08) 9848 1106

This content is from the publication:

Explore Australia’s National Parks

RRP $49.95

Buy now