The Shire of Denmark is located in the Great Southern area of Australia’s South West. The beautiful coastal towns of Denmark, Albany and Bremer Bay and the inland farming towns of Mount Barker, Cranbrook, Kojonup and Katanning are relatively close together and easy to access in a variety of self-drive tours, public transport services or scheduled flights.
The town of Denmark is a five hour drive (including stops) from Perth on Albany Highway, or an easy 35 minute drive west of the historic seaside city of Albany. Alternatively, you can reach Denmark via the south west city of Bunbury.
The South West Highway passes by Pemberton, through Manjimup, Walpole and Nornalup - where you cross the Frankland River into the Shire of Denmark. Flights from Perth to Albany provide a fly-drive opportunity.
Attractions around Denmark are relatively well sign posted and short travelling distances on a network of sealed roads.
Contact the Denmark Visitor Centre for further information and assistance in planning your holiday adventure.
One Day Self Drive Trips
First Day - Scotsdale Tourist Drive. This early route of Timber Cutters is now a scenic tourist drive with walk trails at Harewood Forest, wineries, places to eat and art galleries. Start your journey with a visit to Howard Park and Madfish Wines before driving on to the Denmark Berry Farm on Lantzke Road where you can pick your own fruit, try old fashioned preserves and premium ice-cream. Just along Latzke Road is Jonathan Hook Studio Ceramics for the finest table ware and ceramic artworks. Other wineries include Dunelm, Karri View, Mariner's Rest, Harewood and Ricketty Gate. Denmark Farmhouse Cheese is not to be missed. At the intersection with McLeod Road you will find the Pentland Alpaca Farm - a must for families and children of all ages. At the end of McLeod Road, turn right on South Coast Highway towards the William Bay National Park, containing beautiful Greens Pool and spectacular Elephant Rocks. Greens Pool is a tranquil bay sheltered by giant granite boulders, ideal for swimming and snorkelling and beach walking. Madfish Bay is also well worth seeing for more dramatic southern ocean scenery. On the way back to town, call in at the Denmark Maze on Lapko Road. Follow the boardwalk through a paperbark swamp and feel the mystique of this natural bush maze. Fun for the young - and the young at heart. Open sunrise to sunset. (a nominal charge of $1 for adults and 50 cents for children applies).
Second Day - Mount Shadforth Scenic Drive. Round route scenic drive. Leave the centre of town and climb into the hills of Denmark. Look out for The Lakehouse Denmark on Turner Road. It's open every day (except Christmas Day) and is the perfect place for a delicious lunch and wine-tasting. Enjoy a photographic panorama on Mohr Drive looking over Wilson Inlet, the Nullaki Peninsula and the Southern Ocean. Turn left into Mcleod Road and left into South Coast highway to return to Denmark. Alternatively turn right onto South Coast highway and travel west to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, stopping at the Denmark Dinosaur and Birdlife Park on the way.
Third Day - Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk round trip. Leave Denmark and travel west on South Coast Highway past William Bay National Park, visiting Wineries and Bartholomews Meadery Cellar Door, where a range of pure local honey products, including honey icecream and Mead is available. Further west find Jassi Leather Works for Australian pure wool Ugg Boots and then on to the Old Kent River Winery and Restaurant for fresh Marron, produce tasting and gift shop. Further west find the Spiral Studio and see their quality tableware and exquisite porcelain. Also on Parker Road you'll find Moombaki Wines - drive down the tree-lined drive to the picturesque cellar door and 5 star rated wines. Back onto the highway and right into Bandit Road to Denmark Dinosaur World and Parrot Jungle Bird and Reptile Park. Children can handle hand raised birds and reptiles.
Toilets, Espresso Coffee, Icecream and Drink are available.
Next stop Bow Bridge Roadhouse, a one-stop-shop for fuel, refreshments, fresh marron, the famous burger, organic Valley Of the Giants Olive Oil and local Karri honey. Two hundred metres further, turn left into Peaceful Bay Road to Peaceful Bay where you can swim, fish, surf, launch a boat and find a public gas barbeque, fuel and one-stop-shop which is open everyday. Here, walk the Bibbulmun Track along the coast where the seals sunbathe and whales can be sighted in May and June. Travelling north on Peaceful Bay Road turn into Ficifolia Road, visit Nut Hill Lookout and then onto Conspicuous Cliff which has an excellent Whale platform. Finally, reach Nornalup via Beach Road where you can canoe, fish and launch a boat into the Frankland River.
Fourth Day - Valley of the Giants tour. Leave Denmark and travel west on South Coast Highway to Bow Bridge. Turn right into Valley of the Giants Road and visit the Valley Of the Giants Gallery just one hundred metres after the corner. The Gallery exhibits established, emerging end indigenous Artists. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee or relax in the gardens. Then on past rolling hills of rural land, towering karri and red tingle forests to the internationally renowned Valley Of The Giants Tree Top Walk and the Ancient Empire Walk.
Fifth Day - Leave Denmark and drive east along South Coast Highway to the South Coast Woodworks Gallery, showcasing the region's finest woodwork. Then turn right onto Lower Denmark Road and take the scenic route to Albany, where you can stop to pick blueberries in season at the Edengate Blueberry Farm. From there the West Cape Howe National Park is easily found, with its wildflowers and spectacular coastal scenery. Watch for whales at Lowlands Beach, see parasailing at Shelley Beach, or have a picnic at sheltered Cosy Corner. For 4WD adventurers, follow the tracks to Torbay Head, the southernmost point on the Western Australian mainland.
Sixth Day - Take the South Coast Highway towards Albany, turning north on Link Road to join the Albany Highway. Two kilometres north of the Albany Airport you will find the Sandalwood Factory, an Essential Albany Experience, from wining and dining, to relaxing, to the ancient healing sound and exotic Sandalwood scents of "The Gong". Browse the extensive range of bodycare products and gift pack ideas.
Back on the road turn south to Frenchman Bay on the Vancouver Peninsular south of the city of Albany, to the famous Albany Whale World. Here take an interactive journey through the last operating whaling station in Australia. With the help of a professional guide, begin to explore over 20 different ‘Giants of the Sea’ exhibits. Climb aboard the Cheynes IV whalechaser and experience a whale chase through audio re-enactment. State of the art technological theatres, featuring ‘Giants Exist’, the world’s first 3D animated film on whales; ‘Australian Whaling’, depicting the history of whaling in Australia. Allow 2-3 hours for your visit and don’t miss the children’s playgrounds, Whalers Galley Café-Restaurant and Mobies Souvenirs!
Seventh Day - Discover Denmark's History and Heritage. The first European explored Denmark in the 1830s, and in 1893 the Millar brothers set up a saw milling operation on the Denmark River to meet the needs of the Goldfields. Huge amounts of timber were also exported to pave the streets of London. When the timber played out, successive waves of farm settlers arrived in Denmark throughout the 20th Century - dairying, beef, sheep, horticulture and today, world class vineyards. Visit the Denmark Historical Society for a fascinating introduction to the history of Denmark, or come to the Denmark Visitor Centre for our Historic Walks information.
Seventh Heaven - Flying Tours. If you'd like to leave the ground and take to the air, Ashburton Air Services, based in Denmark and flying to and from Jandakot or Perth airport, can take you from your pick up to your destination of choice throughout Western Australia and Australia. You can take 20 minute to 60 minute scenic flights, suggested winery tours and aerial safaris with stop overs. All scenic flights and tours are fully flexible and you will be notified of any changes to tour stop overs and given detailed weather updates should they be required.
To plan your holiday adventure
phone: 08 9848 2055
email: Contact us
