Where is Shark Bay?
Shark Bay is located at the most westerly point of Australia midway along the coast of Western Australia. The major population centre is Denham, a town of about 1000 people located in the centre of the bay and a distance of about 820km from the state capital of Perth.
How to get there:
By road
Most people visit Shark Bay by road. A major sealed road links the bay with the North West Coastal highway, click here for a map of major roads. The two main tourist centres of Denham and Monkey Mia are both accessible by sealed road. Travelling distances and times are:
| Distance | Approximate Driving Time | |
| Perth to Denham | 820km | 10 hours |
| Carnarvon to Denham | 330km | 3 1/2 hours |
| Geraldton to Denham | 420km | 4 1/2 hours |
| Denham to Monkey Mia | 24km | 20 min |
| Denham to Northwest Coastal Hwy | 128km | 1h 15min |
By air
Skywest Airlines services the Monkey Mia airport several times weekly from either Perth or Geraldton. Connecting flights link Perth with all of Australia’s major capitals. Contact the Skywest website for the current flight schedule.
Please note: Per the 1st of March 2011 the flight service from Perth to Shark Bay will be operated by Skippers Aviation: http://www.skippers.com.au/
The Monkey Mia airport is a 10min drive from both Denham and Monkey Mia. Please note that it is recommended to book airport transfers to your accommodation ahead, as there are no taxis available at the airport.
By boat
There are no scheduled boat services to Shark Bay from other locations along the Western Australia coast. Travelling around Shark Bay by boat is popular however and is a common way of getting to Dirk Hartog Island and other islands and fishing sites around the Shark Bay Marine Park.
Frequently Asked Questions about driving in Shark Bay
What public transport options do I have?
The Greyhound bus company services Shark Bay, both Denham and Monkey Mia, several days per week from major towns along the coast of Western Australia including Geraldton, Carnarvon and Perth. Contact this website for the current schedule. Transport from and to the Overlander Roadhouse is provided by a local operator, book here or click Overlander-Shark Bay shuttle service for more details.
Can 2WD vehicles visit all of Shark Bay’s tourist sites?
The main towns of Denham and Monkey Mia plus many of the World Heritage sites like the Stromatolites, Shell Beach, Little Lagoon and Eagle Bluff are all accessible by 2WD vehicle. You can also visit the Peron Homestead in Francois Peron National Park along an unsealed road with care, however access beyond this and further north into the park is by 4WD only. Steep Point and Dirk Hartog Island are 4WD destinations only.
What options are there for 4WD’s?
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can access most of the tourist sites around the bay. Steep Point, Dirk Hartog Island and the northern beaches of Francois Peron National Park have long been favourite 4WD destinations for people willing to tackle the rough sandy tracks in search of remote camping and fishing spots.
Remember that tyre pressure is paramount across Shark Bay. To save you from getting bogged and for a far more comfortable ride drop your tyre pressure to 20psi or lower when 4WDing. Carry a compressor or use those at service stations in Denham to reinflate.
What is the road to Steep Point like?
The 4WD road to Steep Point is rough and sandy for the last 25km into the point. You will need to be well prepared and let your tyre pressure down to around 20 psi to access this road. Visit the Steep Point pages for more info.
