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Denham
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A small prawning port and holiday resort,
DENHAM
thrives in the lee of Monkey Mia's indefatigable popularity. Between here and Monkey Mia (25km away),
Francois Peron National Park
(CALM fee) is fully accessible only in a 4WD vehicle. The CALM office (tel 08/9948 1208) on Knight Terrace has more information about the park and other natural features in the Shark Bay area.
The tourist office (daily 8am-6pm; tel 08/9948 1253, bayjet@wn.com.au ) is on the town's main road at 71 Knight Terrace, and there's another one at no. 67. The town also has a post office and a couple of supermarkets. Buses for Monkey Mia leave daily at 8am ($8). As for tours and cruises , the MV Explorer (tel 08/9948 1246; from $80) operates cruises around Shark Bay, offering a good chance to see some of the clear-water bay's submarine wildlife. Shark Bay Charter Service's luxurious catamaran (tel 08/9948 1113; $80) offers a great day out. Monkey Mia Air Charter (tel 08/9948 1307) arranges scenic flights from $39. It is important to call ahead when staying at Shark Bay as it can occasionally fill quickly if a coach tour arrives in town. Places to stay include Bay Lodge , 95 Knight Terrace (tel 08/9948 1278 or free call 1800 812 780, fax 9948 1031, baylodge@wn.com.au ; under $70); with basic dorms, refurbished family units and a pleasant courtyard, it's the cheapest place to stay in Shark Bay and does free runs to Monkey Mia. The Tradewinds Holiday Village (tel 08/9948 1222, fax 9948 1161; $50-70) has units that sleep up to six people, and the Heritage Resort (tel 08/9948 1160, fax 9948 1134; $115-150), on the corner of Durlacher Street, is the town's best with a very pleasant bar. Of the three caravan parks in town, the Shark Bay Caravan Park (tel 08/9948 1387; vans and cabins $35-50), 4 Spaven Way, is your best bet and has a big pool.
The only notable
restaurant
, apart from the one in the
Heritage Resort
, is the
Old Pearler
opposite, built from shell block and with an attractive maritime interior; meals cost around $10. Other than that, there are a couple of cafes, a pizza bar and a bakery along Knight Terrace. Note that
water
is very precious in the Shark Bay area since rain rarely falls: salty bore water is used as widely as possible but locally desalinated, fresh public drinking water is available at a tap next to the Shire Office at 42 Hughes St. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Australia,
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