D’Entrecasteaux National Park
Windy Harbour, Western Australia
Sweeping dunes, dramatic rocky coastline, and vast stretches of white-sand beaches and karri forests draw outdoor adventurers to D’Entrecasteaux National Park. Named after the 18th-century French explorer of the same name, the remote park in Western Australia remains as wild, unspoiled, and secluded as it must have been when it was first discovered.
With more than 80 miles (130 kilometers) of coastline, many of the park’s natural wonders come with an ocean backdrop. Follow the bushwalking trails along the coast, admire the views from the sea cliffs at Point D’Entrecasteaux, or explore the Yeagarup dunes by 4WD. You can also learn about the Noongar people, the park’s traditional owners, along the Pupalong Loop Walk; spot a shipwreck at low tide along Mandalay Beach; camp by the shores of Yeagarup Lake; or go surfing, fishing, and snorkeling.
Visiting the remote D’Entrecasteaux National Park requires planning. You’ll need to bring everything you need, including drinking water and other supplies.
The park has basic bush campgrounds and huts, but facilities are limited to drop toilets, non-potable water, and picnic benches. Cell phone service is poor throughout.
A per-vehicle park pass is required for D’Entrecasteaux National Park.
D’Entrecasteaux National Park is about a 4.5-hour drive south of Perth or a 1-hour drive south of Pemberton. Most of the park is accessible only by 4WD, but you can reach the coastal areas of Windy Harbour, Salmon Beach, and Broke Inlet by 2WD. Traveling along the park’s sandy roads and tracks takes time, so plan extra time for exploring.
The national park is accessible year-round, depending on the weather. Spring (September-November) is the most colorful time to visit, when wildflowers blanket the coast, while September through June is the best time for whale watching. Whenever you choose to visit, you’ll likely escape the crowds at D’Entrecasteaux—the remote beaches and trails are often near-deserted, even in the middle of summer.
The park’s mix of coastal wetlands, dunes, and forests provides plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching, as well as being home to more than 850 native plant species. Look out for quokkas, chudditch, and wallabies along the trails, spot migrating southern right whales from Tookulup Cliffs, or go bird-watching around Lake Jasper and Lake Maringup. You might also spot New Zealand fur seals at Black Point and see flesh-footed shearwaters nesting on Sandy Island.
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