Right Right Walking track at Skipjack Point. Skipjack at track Walking Point. Skipjack at track Walking

Pembertonia latisquamea Pembertonia latisquamea Pembertonia ). ). ( daisy ). ( daisy

The distinctive pink flowers of the Shark Bay Bay Shark the of flowers pink distinctive The Bay Shark the of flowers pink distinctive The

Santalum spicatum Santalum spicatum Santalum ) fruit. ) ( Sandalwood fruit. ) ( Sandalwood

Peninsula. Peninsula.

throughout Shark Bay, especially on Peron Peron on especially Bay, Shark throughout Peron on especially Bay, Shark throughout

Acacia ligulata Acacia ligulata Acacia ) is common common is ) ( bush Umbrella common is ) ( bush Umbrella

Peninsula show the tracks of native animals. native of tracks the show Peninsula animals. native of tracks the show Peninsula

Above from left from Above left from Above The rich red sands of Peron Peron of sands red rich The Peron of sands red rich The

wattles and purple peas, they form a colourful display in spring. in display colourful a form they peas, purple and wattles spring. in display colourful a form they peas, purple and wattles

records of Australian plants. Along with white myrtle, yellow yellow myrtle, white with Along plants. Australian of records yellow myrtle, white with Along plants. Australian of records

Below Below bay. inland shallow a now is lake, saline land-locked a once Lagoon, Big bay. inland shallow a now is lake, saline land-locked a once Lagoon, Big coastal thryptomene, a type of heath, are some of the earliest earliest the of some are heath, of type a thryptomene, coastal earliest the of some are heath, of type a thryptomene, coastal inland bays. bays. inland bays. inland

namesake, the hoary Dampiera. Dampier’s specimens of the pink pink the of specimens Dampier’s Dampiera. hoary the namesake, pink the of specimens Dampier’s Dampiera. hoary the namesake, has invaded some birridas, such as Big Lagoon, to form shallow shallow form to Lagoon, Big as such birridas, some invaded has shallow form to Lagoon, Big as such birridas, some invaded has like during the pastoral era. era. pastoral the during like era. pastoral the during like

flowering plants, including wild tomato bush, halgania, and his his and halgania, bush, tomato wild including plants, flowering his and halgania, bush, tomato wild including plants, flowering were landlocked saline lakes. In more modern times the sea sea the times modern more In lakes. saline landlocked were sea the times modern more In lakes. saline landlocked were

Homestead precinct offers visitors an insight into what life was was life what into insight an visitors offers precinct Homestead was life what into insight an visitors offers precinct Homestead

plants from the region in 1699, was impressed by the blue- the by impressed was 1699, in region the from plants blue- the by impressed was 1699, in region the from plants when sea levels were much higher than at present, most birridas birridas most present, at than higher much were levels sea when birridas most present, at than higher much were levels sea when

Francois Peron National Park was declared. Today, the Peron Peron the Today, declared. was Park National Peron Francois Peron the Today, declared. was Park National Peron Francois

surrounding shrubs. Navigator William Dampier, who collected collected who Dampier, William Navigator shrubs. surrounding collected who Dampier, William Navigator shrubs. surrounding are gypsum claypans known as birridas. Thousands of years ago, ago, years of Thousands birridas. as known claypans gypsum are ago, years of Thousands birridas. as known claypans gypsum are

1990, when it was bought by the State Government. In 1993 1993 In Government. State the by bought was it when 1990, 1993 In Government. State the by bought was it when 1990,

a creeper that displays its large mauve to pink flowers well above above well flowers pink to mauve large its displays that creeper a above well flowers pink to mauve large its displays that creeper a Interspersed throughout the park and across Peron Peninsula Peninsula Peron across and park the throughout Interspersed Peninsula Peron across and park the throughout Interspersed beach. The peninsula was managed as a sheep station until until station sheep a as managed was peninsula The beach. until station sheep a as managed was peninsula The beach.

of the most striking and abundant flowers is the Shark Bay daisy, daisy, Bay Shark the is flowers abundant and striking most the of daisy, Bay Shark the is flowers abundant and striking most the of

established at Herald Bight, where pearl shells still litter the the litter still shells pearl where Bight, Herald at established the litter still shells pearl where Bight, Herald at established

’ ’ s unique national parks. national unique s parks. national unique s one of Western Australia Western of one Australia Western of one

Peron Peninsula also boasts a dazzling array of wildflowers. One One wildflowers. of array dazzling a boasts also Peninsula Peron One wildflowers. of array dazzling a boasts also Peninsula Peron

on Peron Peninsula. In the late 1880s a pearling camp was was camp pearling a 1880s late the In Peninsula. Peron on was camp pearling a 1880s late the In Peninsula. Peron on of biodiversity. These World Heritage values make Francois Peron Peron Francois make values Heritage World These biodiversity. of Peron Francois make values Heritage World These biodiversity. of

Péron’s visit marked the beginning of European activities activities European of beginning the marked visit Péron’s activities European of beginning the marked visit Péron’s capabilities to withstand the harsh environment. harsh the withstand to capabilities environment. harsh the withstand to capabilities contains important and significant habitats for the conservation conservation the for habitats significant and important contains conservation the for habitats significant and important contains

at the extreme, these ‘pioneer’ species have stretched their survival survival their stretched have species ‘pioneer’ these extreme, the at survival their stretched have species ‘pioneer’ these extreme, the at of superlative natural phenomena, it also also it phenomena, natural superlative of also it phenomena, natural superlative of

grevilleas, reach their most northern range on the peninsula. Living Living peninsula. the on range northern most their reach grevilleas, Living peninsula. the on range northern most their reach grevilleas, Area. Not only is the peninsula an example example an peninsula the is only Not Area. example an peninsula the is only Not Area.

while flowering plants from cooler climates, such as hakeas and and hakeas as such climates, cooler from plants flowering while and hakeas as such climates, cooler from plants flowering while to Shark Bay’s listing as a World Heritage Heritage World a as listing Bay’s Shark to Heritage World a as listing Bay’s Shark to

red sandy plains are dominated by desert-adapted acacias (wattles), (wattles), acacias desert-adapted by dominated are plains sandy red (wattles), acacias desert-adapted by dominated are plains sandy red Features of Peron Peninsula contributed contributed Peninsula Peron of Features contributed Peninsula Peron of Features

As a result, two distinct vegetation types are found in the park. The The park. the in found are types vegetation distinct two result, a As The park. the in found are types vegetation distinct two result, a As

Peninsula. Peron of tip northern Peninsula. Peron of tip northern

the desert vegetation zone of the north and east. east. and north the of zone vegetation desert the east. and north the of zone vegetation desert the and spectacular coastal scenery at the the at scenery coastal spectacular and the at scenery coastal spectacular and

and region, south-western WA’s of zone vegetation temperate and region, south-western WA’s of zone vegetation temperate arid shrublands, rolling sandplains sandplains rolling shrublands, arid sandplains rolling shrublands, arid

the between point transition important an is Bay Shark the between point transition important an is Bay Shark The park covers 52,500 hectares of of hectares 52,500 covers park The of hectares 52,500 covers park The

Park. Marine Bay Shark the to adjacent and Area Heritage Park. Marine Bay Shark the to adjacent and Area Heritage

Plants Plants

Francois Peron National Park lies within the Shark Bay World World Bay Shark the within lies Park National Peron Francois World Bay Shark the within lies Park National Peron Francois

Wildlife Wildlife contribution to Australia’s natural and social history. social and natural Australia’s to contribution history. social and natural Australia’s to contribution Francois Peron National Park National Peron Francois Park National Peron Francois

1803 expeditions. The park bears his name in recognition of his his of recognition in name his bears park The expeditions. 1803 his of recognition in name his bears park The expeditions. 1803

Eremophila glabra Eremophila Below glabra Eremophila Below . flowering red The . flowering red The meteorology and zoology during Nicholas Baudin’s 1801 and and 1801 Baudin’s Nicholas during zoology and meteorology and 1801 Baudin’s Nicholas during zoology and meteorology

Calandrinia Above Calandrinia Above sp.) in spring. in sp.) ( parakeelyas colourful of flowering The spring. in sp.) ( parakeelyas colourful of flowering The made meticulous descriptions of anthropology, oceanography, oceanography, anthropology, of descriptions meticulous made oceanography, anthropology, of descriptions meticulous made Above Above Viewing platform at Skipjack Point. Skipjack at platform Viewing Point. Skipjack at platform Viewing

One of the explorers was French naturalist François Péron who who Péron François naturalist French was explorers the of One who Péron François naturalist French was explorers the of One

documented by French explorers early in the 19th century. century. 19th the in early explorers French by documented century. 19th the in early explorers French by documented

The first written descriptions and images of Malgana lives were were lives Malgana of images and descriptions written first The were lives Malgana of images and descriptions written first The

much of Shark Bay was an arid valley with little fresh water. water. fresh little with valley arid an was Bay Shark of much water. fresh little with valley arid an was Bay Shark of much

in the Malgana language, for about 25,000 years. At that time, time, that At years. 25,000 about for language, Malgana the in time, that At years. 25,000 about for language, Malgana the in

Wulyibidi Wulyibidi or Peninsula, Peron on lived have people Aboriginal or Peninsula, Peron on lived have people Aboriginal

European heritage European heritage European

and Aboriginal and Aboriginal

Below Peron Peninsula has exceptional coastal scenery and contrasting Below Peron Peninsula has exceptional coastal scenery and contrasting colours of dunes and ocean. It is an important habitat for the conservation of Caring for the park colours of dunes and ocean. It is an important habitat for the conservation of Caring for the park biodiversity, another criteria for gaining acceptance on the World Heritage List. Francois Peron biodiversity, another criteria for gaining acceptance on the World Heritage List. Francois Peron Stay cool Don’t light fires. Free barbecues are available at most Stay cool Don’t light fires. Free barbecues are available at most day visitor and camping areas and visitors may use their own day visitor and camping areas and visitors may use their own gas appliances. National Park gas appliances. National Park Be clean Put your litter in bins or take it with you. Discarded Be clean Put your litter in bins or take it with you. Discarded scraps attract feral animals, which threaten native animals. scraps attract feral animals, which threaten native animals. Pets are not allowed in Francois Peron National Park. They can Pets are not allowed in Francois Peron National Park. They can disturb wildlife and are also at risk of poisoning from fox baits disturb wildlife and are also at risk of poisoning from fox baits which are laid throughout the park as part of DEC’s Western which are laid throughout the park as part of DEC’s Western Shield wildlife recovery program. Shield wildlife recovery program. Stay safe Stay safe Coastal cliffs are undercut and unstable and should be Coastal cliffs are undercut and unstable and should be approached with caution. Be wary of crumbling edges and approached with caution. Be wary of crumbling edges and strong winds. Stay well back from cliff edges at all times. strong winds. Stay well back from cliff edges at all times. Shark Bay is in sub-tropical waters and venomous marine Shark Bay is in sub-tropical waters and venomous marine creatures such as stonefish and coneshells are common. creatures such as stonefish and coneshells are common. Reef sandals or similar footwear should be worn when Reef sandals or similar footwear should be worn when walking in the shallows. If you are unlucky enough to be stung walking in the shallows. If you are unlucky enough to be stung or bitten by these animals, keep the injured area immobilised and or bitten by these animals, keep the injured area immobilised and seek immediate medical attention. A Silver Chain nursing post is seek immediate medical attention. A Silver Chain nursing post is located in Denham at the corner of Hughes and Durlacher streets. located in Denham at the corner of Hughes and Durlacher streets. The phone number is (08) 9948 1400. The phone number is (08) 9948 1400. More information More information DEC District Office DEC District Office 89 Knight Terrace, Denham WA 6537 89 Knight Terrace, Denham WA 6537 Phone (08) 9948 1208 Phone (08) 9948 1208 Fax (08) 9948 1024 Fax (08) 9948 1024 Visit www.naturebase.net and Visit www.naturebase.net and www.sharkbay.org for more information www.sharkbay.org for more information

Information guide Information guide 2007455-11-30M 2007455-11-30M

Front cover Dramatic colour contrasts between land and sea are a Front cover Dramatic colour contrasts between land and sea are a spectacular feature of the Peron Peninsula and Francois Peron National Park. spectacular feature of the Peron Peninsula and Francois Peron National Park. All photos – DEC All photos – DEC Recycle Please return unwanted brochures to distribution points Recycle Please return unwanted brochures to distribution points Information current at November 2007

Right Walking track at Skipjack Point. Skipjack at track Walking

Pembertonia latisquamea Pembertonia ). ). ( daisy

The distinctive pink flowers of the Shark Bay Bay Shark the of flowers pink distinctive The

Santalum spicatum Santalum ) fruit. ) ( Sandalwood

Peninsula.

throughout Shark Bay, especially on Peron Peron on especially Bay, Shark throughout

Acacia ligulata Acacia ) is common common is ) ( bush Umbrella

Peninsula show the tracks of native animals. native of tracks the show Peninsula

Above from left from Above The rich red sands of Peron Peron of sands red rich The

wattles and purple peas, they form a colourful display in spring. in display colourful a form they peas, purple and wattles

records of Australian plants. Along with white myrtle, yellow yellow myrtle, white with Along plants. Australian of records

Below bay. inland shallow a now is lake, saline land-locked a once Lagoon, Big

coastal thryptomene, a type of heath, are some of the earliest earliest the of some are heath, of type a thryptomene, coastal inland bays. bays. inland

namesake, the hoary Dampiera. Dampier’s specimens of the pink pink the of specimens Dampier’s Dampiera. hoary the namesake, has invaded some birridas, such as Big Lagoon, to form shallow shallow form to Lagoon, Big as such birridas, some invaded has

like during the pastoral era. era. pastoral the during like

flowering plants, including wild tomato bush, halgania, and his his and halgania, bush, tomato wild including plants, flowering were landlocked saline lakes. In more modern times the sea sea the times modern more In lakes. saline landlocked were

Homestead precinct offers visitors an insight into what life was was life what into insight an visitors offers precinct Homestead

plants from the region in 1699, was impressed by the blue- the by impressed was 1699, in region the from plants when sea levels were much higher than at present, most birridas birridas most present, at than higher much were levels sea when

Francois Peron National Park was declared. Today, the Peron Peron the Today, declared. was Park National Peron Francois

surrounding shrubs. Navigator William Dampier, who collected collected who Dampier, William Navigator shrubs. surrounding are gypsum claypans known as birridas. Thousands of years ago, ago, years of Thousands birridas. as known claypans gypsum are

1990, when it was bought by the State Government. In 1993 1993 In Government. State the by bought was it when 1990,

a creeper that displays its large mauve to pink flowers well above above well flowers pink to mauve large its displays that creeper a Interspersed throughout the park and across Peron Peninsula Peninsula Peron across and park the throughout Interspersed

beach. The peninsula was managed as a sheep station until until station sheep a as managed was peninsula The beach.

of the most striking and abundant flowers is the Shark Bay daisy, daisy, Bay Shark the is flowers abundant and striking most the of

established at Herald Bight, where pearl shells still litter the the litter still shells pearl where Bight, Herald at established

’ s unique national parks. national unique s one of Western Australia Western of one

Peron Peninsula also boasts a dazzling array of wildflowers. One One wildflowers. of array dazzling a boasts also Peninsula Peron

on Peron Peninsula. In the late 1880s a pearling camp was was camp pearling a 1880s late the In Peninsula. Peron on of biodiversity. These World Heritage values make Francois Peron Peron Francois make values Heritage World These biodiversity. of

Péron’s visit marked the beginning of European activities activities European of beginning the marked visit Péron’s capabilities to withstand the harsh environment. harsh the withstand to capabilities contains important and significant habitats for the conservation conservation the for habitats significant and important contains

at the extreme, these ‘pioneer’ species have stretched their survival survival their stretched have species ‘pioneer’ these extreme, the at of superlative natural phenomena, it also also it phenomena, natural superlative of

grevilleas, reach their most northern range on the peninsula. Living Living peninsula. the on range northern most their reach grevilleas, Area. Not only is the peninsula an example example an peninsula the is only Not Area.

while flowering plants from cooler climates, such as hakeas and and hakeas as such climates, cooler from plants flowering while to Shark Bay’s listing as a World Heritage Heritage World a as listing Bay’s Shark to

red sandy plains are dominated by desert-adapted acacias (wattles), (wattles), acacias desert-adapted by dominated are plains sandy red Features of Peron Peninsula contributed contributed Peninsula Peron of Features

As a result, two distinct vegetation types are found in the park. The The park. the in found are types vegetation distinct two result, a As

Peninsula. Peron of tip northern

the desert vegetation zone of the north and east. east. and north the of zone vegetation desert the and spectacular coastal scenery at the the at scenery coastal spectacular and

temperate vegetation zone of WA’s south-western region, and and region, south-western WA’s of zone vegetation temperate

arid shrublands, rolling sandplains sandplains rolling shrublands, arid

Shark Bay is an important transition point between the the between point transition important an is Bay Shark

The park covers 52,500 hectares of of hectares 52,500 covers park The

Heritage Area and adjacent to the Shark Bay Marine Park. Park. Marine Bay Shark the to adjacent and Area Heritage

Plants

Francois Peron National Park lies within the Shark Bay World World Bay Shark the within lies Park National Peron Francois

Wildlife

contribution to Australia’s natural and social history. social and natural Australia’s to contribution Francois Peron National Park National Peron Francois

1803 expeditions. The park bears his name in recognition of his his of recognition in name his bears park The expeditions. 1803

Eremophila glabra Eremophila Below . flowering red The meteorology and zoology during Nicholas Baudin’s 1801 and and 1801 Baudin’s Nicholas during zoology and meteorology

Calandrinia Above sp.) in spring. in sp.) ( parakeelyas colourful of flowering The made meticulous descriptions of anthropology, oceanography, oceanography, anthropology, of descriptions meticulous made Above Viewing platform at Skipjack Point. Skipjack at platform Viewing

One of the explorers was French naturalist François Péron who who Péron François naturalist French was explorers the of One

documented by French explorers early in the 19th century. century. 19th the in early explorers French by documented

The first written descriptions and images of Malgana lives were were lives Malgana of images and descriptions written first The

much of Shark Bay was an arid valley with little fresh water. water. fresh little with valley arid an was Bay Shark of much

in the Malgana language, for about 25,000 years. At that time, time, that At years. 25,000 about for language, Malgana the in

Wulyibidi Aboriginal people have lived on Peron Peninsula, or or Peninsula, Peron on lived have people Aboriginal

European heritage European

Aboriginal and and Aboriginal

Below Peron Peninsula has exceptional coastal scenery and contrasting colours of dunes and ocean. It is an important habitat for the conservation of Caring for the park biodiversity, another criteria for gaining acceptance on the World Heritage List. Francois Peron Stay cool Don’t light fires. Free barbecues are available at most day visitor and camping areas and visitors may use their own gas appliances. National Park Be clean Put your litter in bins or take it with you. Discarded scraps attract feral animals, which threaten native animals. Pets are not allowed in Francois Peron National Park. They can disturb wildlife and are also at risk of poisoning from fox baits which are laid throughout the park as part of DEC’s Western Shield wildlife recovery program. Stay safe Coastal cliffs are undercut and unstable and should be approached with caution. Be wary of crumbling edges and strong winds. Stay well back from cliff edges at all times. Shark Bay is in sub-tropical waters and venomous marine creatures such as stonefish and coneshells are common. Reef sandals or similar footwear should be worn when walking in the shallows. If you are unlucky enough to be stung or bitten by these animals, keep the injured area immobilised and seek immediate medical attention. A Silver Chain nursing post is located in Denham at the corner of Hughes and Durlacher streets. The phone number is (08) 9948 1400. More information DEC District Office 89 Knight Terrace, Denham WA 6537 Phone (08) 9948 1208 Fax (08) 9948 1024 Visit www.naturebase.net and www.sharkbay.org for more information

Information guide 2007455-11-30M

Front cover Dramatic colour contrasts between land and sea are a spectacular feature of the Peron Peninsula and Francois Peron National Park. All photos – DEC Recycle Please return unwanted brochures to distribution points Visitor information

� Vehicle access Access to Francois Peron National Park is from Monkey Mia Road, about four kilometres north-east of Denham. The road to the Peron Homestead precinct is accessible for two- wheel drive vehicles. All access north beyond the homestead precinct into the park is only suitable for high clearance four-wheel drive vehicles. All-wheel drive vehicles are not suitable. All high clearance four-wheel drives need to have reduced tyre pressure before travelling north beyond the Peron Homestead precinct to minimise damage to tracks and improve access through numerous soft sandy sections. Caravans and large boat trailers are not suitable. Please reduce air pressure in all tyres including those of your camper or boat trailer as well as your car. Check with the Denham DEC office before travel to get up-to-date road and track information. Many of the previous station tracks in the park are either being revegetated or are for management purposes only. Please follow the signs and stay on public access roads. Birridas consist of a thin crust over a bog mire kept moist by ground water. Vehicles driving on birridas will become bogged and recovery of these vehicles will be costly and time consuming. As these landscapes are difficult to rehabilitate, it will also result in long-term scarring of the birrida and degradation of the surrounding vegetation. Peron Homestead precinct The Peron Homestead precinct provides an insight into how life was when the park was a working sheep station. A self-guided walk around the Peron Homestead precinct provides an insight into life on a working sheep station. On the walk, you can explore the history of the area visiting the shearing shed, shearers’ quarters and stock yards. Interpretive signs explain the station’s interesting history along the way. A small interpretive centre depicts stories of Indigenous inhabitants, European colonisation and current day conservation programs such as Project Eden (see information on this page). The ‘Hot Tub’ is a popular stop to relax and soak in the hot artesian waters, which provided the original vital water supply for the station’s stock. There is a free gas barbecue, picnic tables and lawn areas surrounding the ‘Hot Tub‘. Wanamalu Trail The Wanamalu Trail stretches for 1.5 kilometres along the cliff edge between Cape Peron and Skipjack Point. This 45-minute (one-way) walk provides excellent views of the coastline and interpretive signs along the trail provide an introduction to the features of the area. Two viewing platforms at Skipjack Point provide spectacular coastal views and the opportunity to view Shark Bay’s abundant marine life. Boating, fishing, swimming Recreational fishing is a popular activity in the Shark Bay area and many species can be caught all year round. Species commonly encountered on Peron Peninsula include whiting, bream and kingfish. Dinghies can be launched from the beaches at Big Lagoon, Gregories, South Gregories, Bottle Bay and Herald Bight. Above Sightings of the woma python have been rare in the past 50 years Above A bilby (left) and a malleefowl (right), species that have been successfully but the Shark Bay population appears to be increasing. reintroduced to Peron Peninsula. Safe swimming beaches can be found at all the camping areas. Swimming is not recommended at Cape Peron because of the Animals Project Eden strong currents. Francois Peron National Park and the Shark Bay World Heritage Project Eden – one of WA’s most significant conservation projects Wearing reef shoes or sandals is recommended when wading or Area are home to some of the rarest and most endangered – is based in Francois Peron National Park. Its aim is to return swimming, particularly around reef areas, because of the risk of animals in Australia and the world. to Shark Bay native species that have become extinct in other stonefish stings. parts of the country because of predation and habitat loss The region’s birdlife is particularly rich, with diverse land-based, Please remember that special rules apply to fishing and other caused by introduced foxes, cats and grazing animals. activities in the Shark Bay Marine Park. Fishing is not permitted wading and migratory birds all being seen on Peron Peninsula. in sanctuary zones such as in the northern waters of Big Lagoon, Emus, fairy-wrens, scrubwrens, finches and wedgebills are the Project Eden’s integrated, whole-ecosystem approach combines which is a nursery habitat for fish species. In the special-purpose feral animal removal with a captive breeding and reintroduction most common species but visitors may also spot the thick-billed zones around Cape Peron and the mouth of Big Lagoon, drop nets program. Five native species – the woylie and the captive-bred grasswren, a threatened species once widespread on the mainland for crabs are allowed but set netting and spearfishing are not but now restricted to a small area that includes the national park. banded hare-wallaby, mala, bilby and malleefowl – have been permitted. Because of the prevalence of dolphins and dugongs, reintroduced into the national park. The bilby and malleefowl waterskiing and freestyle jetskiing are also not permitted. Please are now successfully established within the park and it is possible check appropriate Department of Fisheries and DEC information to see them around Peron Peninsula. Reintroductions of animals before setting out. such as chuditch, bandicoots and red-tailed phascogales are also planned for the future. Camping Reducing the number of feral animals has resulted in the Camping areas are located at Big Lagoon, South Gregories, Gregories recovery of many other fauna species including the woma and Bottle Bay. Herald Bight camping is on the beach and vehicle python, echidna, several species of dunnart and many reptiles access is through very soft sand. Toilets are provided at all camping from tiny geckoes to the race-horse goanna. areas. Nearly 100 reptile and amphibian species live in Shark Bay. The feral animal control program requires the regular Carry all of your rubbish with you when leaving the northern section Creatures as beautiful and diverse as the thorny devil, racehorse distribution of meat baits treated with 1080 poison throughout of the park. A large skip bin is located at the Peron Homestead goanna, bobtail skink, knob-tailed gecko and bearded dragon are the park and across Peron Peninsula. Native wildlife has a high precinct for rubbish disposal. abundant. Snakes such as the gwardar, mulga and woma python, tolerance for this naturally occurring poison but the baits are a threatened species, are often seen basking in the sun. lethal to feral animals and domesticated cats and dogs. Please Fees From the cliffs at Cape Peron and Skipjack Point, visitors may do not bring your pets into the national park. Entrance and camping fees apply to visitors. A self registration fee spot bottlenose dolphins, dugongs, green and loggerhead turtles, collection box is located at the park entrance off Monkey Mia Road. manta rays and sharks. Visitors can also find tracks of euros (small Your fees are used to maintain and develop park facilities. kangaroos), echidnas and native mice scattered over the red sand. Fires Only gas appliances are permitted within the park. Free gas barbecues are provided at most camping and day visitor sites or you can use your own gas appliances. Above from left Woylies, a loggerhead turtle and a thick-billed grasswren. Right A banded hare-wallaby being released. Water No drinking water is available in the park. Always carry your own supplies even on short visits. Allow at least two to three litres per person per day. Drinking water supplies are available in Denham. Visitor information

� Vehicle access Access to Francois Peron National Park is from Monkey Mia Road, about four kilometres north-east of Denham. The road to the Peron Homestead precinct is accessible for two- wheel drive vehicles. All access north beyond the homestead precinct into the park is only suitable for high clearance four-wheel drive vehicles. All-wheel drive vehicles are not suitable. All high clearance four-wheel drives need to have reduced tyre pressure before travelling north beyond the Peron Homestead precinct to minimise damage to tracks and improve access through numerous soft sandy sections. Caravans and large boat trailers are not suitable. Please reduce air pressure in all tyres including those of your camper or boat trailer as well as your car. Check with the Denham DEC office before travel to get up-to-date road and track information. Many of the previous station tracks in the park are either being revegetated or are for management purposes only. Please follow the signs and stay on public access roads. Birridas consist of a thin crust over a bog mire kept moist by ground water. Vehicles driving on birridas will become bogged and recovery of these vehicles will be costly and time consuming. As these landscapes are difficult to rehabilitate, it will also result in long-term scarring of the birrida and degradation of the surrounding vegetation. Peron Homestead precinct The Peron Homestead precinct provides an insight into how life was when the park was a working sheep station. A self-guided walk around the Peron Homestead precinct provides an insight into life on a working sheep station. On the walk, you can explore the history of the area visiting the shearing shed, shearers’ quarters and stock yards. Interpretive signs explain the station’s interesting history along the way. A small interpretive centre depicts stories of Indigenous inhabitants, European colonisation and current day conservation programs such as Project Eden (see information on this page). The ‘Hot Tub’ is a popular stop to relax and soak in the hot artesian waters, which provided the original vital water supply for the station’s stock. There is a free gas barbecue, picnic tables and lawn areas surrounding the ‘Hot Tub‘. Wanamalu Trail The Wanamalu Trail stretches for 1.5 kilometres along the cliff edge between Cape Peron and Skipjack Point. This 45-minute (one-way) walk provides excellent views of the coastline and interpretive signs along the trail provide an introduction to the features of the area. Two viewing platforms at Skipjack Point provide spectacular coastal views and the opportunity to view Shark Bay’s abundant marine life. Boating, fishing, swimming Recreational fishing is a popular activity in the Shark Bay area and many species can be caught all year round. Species commonly encountered on Peron Peninsula include whiting, bream and kingfish. Dinghies can be launched from the beaches at Big Lagoon, Gregories, South Gregories, Bottle Bay and Herald Bight. Above Sightings of the woma python have been rare in the past 50 years Above A bilby (left) and a malleefowl (right), species that have been successfully but the Shark Bay population appears to be increasing. reintroduced to Peron Peninsula. Safe swimming beaches can be found at all the camping areas. Swimming is not recommended at Cape Peron because of the Animals Project Eden strong currents. Francois Peron National Park and the Shark Bay World Heritage Project Eden – one of WA’s most significant conservation projects Wearing reef shoes or sandals is recommended when wading or Area are home to some of the rarest and most endangered – is based in Francois Peron National Park. Its aim is to return swimming, particularly around reef areas, because of the risk of animals in Australia and the world. to Shark Bay native species that have become extinct in other stonefish stings. parts of the country because of predation and habitat loss The region’s birdlife is particularly rich, with diverse land-based, Please remember that special rules apply to fishing and other caused by introduced foxes, cats and grazing animals. activities in the Shark Bay Marine Park. Fishing is not permitted wading and migratory birds all being seen on Peron Peninsula. in sanctuary zones such as in the northern waters of Big Lagoon, Emus, fairy-wrens, scrubwrens, finches and wedgebills are the Project Eden’s integrated, whole-ecosystem approach combines which is a nursery habitat for fish species. In the special-purpose feral animal removal with a captive breeding and reintroduction most common species but visitors may also spot the thick-billed zones around Cape Peron and the mouth of Big Lagoon, drop nets program. Five native species – the woylie and the captive-bred grasswren, a threatened species once widespread on the mainland for crabs are allowed but set netting and spearfishing are not but now restricted to a small area that includes the national park. banded hare-wallaby, mala, bilby and malleefowl – have been permitted. Because of the prevalence of dolphins and dugongs, reintroduced into the national park. The bilby and malleefowl waterskiing and freestyle jetskiing are also not permitted. Please are now successfully established within the park and it is possible check appropriate Department of Fisheries and DEC information to see them around Peron Peninsula. Reintroductions of animals before setting out. such as chuditch, bandicoots and red-tailed phascogales are also planned for the future. Camping Reducing the number of feral animals has resulted in the Camping areas are located at Big Lagoon, South Gregories, Gregories recovery of many other fauna species including the woma and Bottle Bay. Herald Bight camping is on the beach and vehicle python, echidna, several species of dunnart and many reptiles access is through very soft sand. Toilets are provided at all camping from tiny geckoes to the race-horse goanna. areas. Nearly 100 reptile and amphibian species live in Shark Bay. The feral animal control program requires the regular Carry all of your rubbish with you when leaving the northern section Creatures as beautiful and diverse as the thorny devil, racehorse distribution of meat baits treated with 1080 poison throughout of the park. A large skip bin is located at the Peron Homestead goanna, bobtail skink, knob-tailed gecko and bearded dragon are the park and across Peron Peninsula. Native wildlife has a high precinct for rubbish disposal. abundant. Snakes such as the gwardar, mulga and woma python, tolerance for this naturally occurring poison but the baits are a threatened species, are often seen basking in the sun. lethal to feral animals and domesticated cats and dogs. Please Fees From the cliffs at Cape Peron and Skipjack Point, visitors may do not bring your pets into the national park. Entrance and camping fees apply to visitors. A self registration fee spot bottlenose dolphins, dugongs, green and loggerhead turtles, collection box is located at the park entrance off Monkey Mia Road. manta rays and sharks. Visitors can also find tracks of euros (small Your fees are used to maintain and develop park facilities. kangaroos), echidnas and native mice scattered over the red sand. Fires Only gas appliances are permitted within the park. Free gas barbecues are provided at most camping and day visitor sites or you can use your own gas appliances. Above from left Woylies, a loggerhead turtle and a thick-billed grasswren. Right A banded hare-wallaby being released. Water No drinking water is available in the park. Always carry your own supplies even on short visits. Allow at least two to three litres per person per day. Drinking water supplies are available in Denham.