Shark Bay Is Inclusive | Equal AccessAccessible Travel in Shark Bay

Shark Bay warmly welcomes visitors of all abilities

Inclusive Community

We are committed to providing safe, inclusive access to our facilities, attractions, and natural environments so everyone can enjoy the region with confidence and comfort.

Explore the Shark Bay World Heritage Area with confidence!

Access Made Easy!

Denham (Town Centre)

Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery & Visitor Centre
Denham Foreshore BBQs
Denham Jetty
Stella Rowley Lookout (1.5 km from town)
2 Beach Accesses – Along side Denham Jetty and across the road from Shark Bay IGA and Shark Bay Bakery

Monkey Mia (Approx. 25 km from Denham)

Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience
Monkey Mia Jetty
Aristocat 2 departure point
Monkey Mia Walk Trail

Surrounding Shark Bay Attractions

Eagle Bluff Boardwalk (short drive south from Denham)
Little Lagoon (between Denham & Monkey Mia)
Ocean Park Aquarium (approx. 8 km from Denham)
Shell Beach** (approx. 48km south)
Hamelin Pool Stromatolites (approx. 110km south)
Distances are approximate. Roads are sealed but remote, plan fuel and travel time.

Accessible Experiences

Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery & Visitor Centre
Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience (Beach wheelchair recommended)
Ocean Park Aquarium
Aristocat 2 Nature Cruise (tide-dependent)

These experiences provide the most consistent accessibility in Shark Bay. The Discovery Centre is a museum and art gallery offering visitor information services and is fully accessible, wheelchair hire available. Monkey Mia’s dolphin experience is accessible from viewing areas, with beach wheelchairs improving shoreline access. Ocean Park Aquarium offers guided tours on accessible paths. The Aristocat 2 cruise is fully accessible onboard, though boarding depends on tide levels advance bookings are essential.

Accessible Attractions

Eagle Bluff Boardwalk
Monkey Mia Jetty
Little Lagoon (incl. Creek Hut)
Monkey Mia Walk Trail*
Denham Jetty
Stella Rowley Lookout
Denham Foreshore BBQs

Boardwalks and jetties provide the easiest independent access. Eagle Bluff is a standout for wildlife viewing, though the carpark may be sandy. Monkey Mia and Denham jetties are a great place to view marine life and fish. Little Lagoon offers accessible BBQs, but tracks can be uneven. *Monkey Mia Walk Trail is only partially accessible and requires assistance. Stella Rowley Lookout is most easily accessed by car. However, there is foot path leading up Stella Rowley Dr from the Shark Bay supermarket to Freycinet Drive, then crossing the road to the path opposite Sellenger Heights to the Lookout. It is uphill so assistance would be required. This pathway would be more suited to electric Wheelchairs, Buggies and Gophers. It is approximately 1.5 km from Denham. A great spot for stargazing.

**Shell Beach wheelchair access is available to the nearby viewing areas, with parking close by. Access onto the shell beach itself is limited due to the natural surface

ACCESSIBLE SHARK BAY

Beach Access & Equipment Hire

Beach access is improving across Shark Bay with the following supports available:

Beach wheelchairs can be hired through Monkey Mia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), and visitors are encouraged to contact them directly before arrival. The Shire of Shark Bay also has a beach wheelchair available, with a formal hire process currently being finalised. Beach matting will be installed to improve access across soft sand to the shoreline.

Standard wheelchairs are available for museum and gallery use within the Discovery Centre, and additional mobility equipment can be hired through the local pharmacy in Denham. Due to soft sand and changing conditions, planning ahead of time is strongly recommended

Dining

All dining venues in Denham and Monkey Mia are wheelchair accessible, generally offering step-free entry and flexible seating arrangements.

Key Contacts

Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery & Visitor Centre (Denham)

Visitor Information, Accessible accommodation booking & Wheelchair Hire

+16 8 99451590

sbdc@sharkbay.wa.gov.au

Monkey Mia (DBCA) – Beach Wheelchair Hire

Contact Monkey Mia directly to book beach wheelchair access

+ 61 8 9948 1366

gascoyne@dbca.wa.gov.au

Shire of Shark Bay

Beach wheelchair hire (coming soon – contact for updates)

+16 8 9948 1218

admin@sharkbay.wa.gov.au

Denham Pharmacy

Mobility equipment hire available

+16 8 9948 1461

sharkbaypharmacy@gmail.com

Travel Tips

Shark Bay is a natural, remote environment where accessibility can vary due to sand, wind, and tides. Boardwalks and jetties provide the most reliable access, while beach areas may require assistance or specialised equipment. Always check tide conditions when planning boat experiences and allow extra time for travel between locations. Plan ahead, travel comfortably, and experience the natural beauty of Shark Bay.

Accessible Accommodation

Shark Bay offers a small but growing range of accommodation options with accessible features. As this is a remote destination, availability is limited and varies between properties, so it is strongly recommended to contact providers directly to confirm specific requirements such as bathroom layout, step-free access, and parking.

The RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is the only accessible option in Monkey Mia. It offers dedicated accessible rooms, step-free pathways throughout the resort, and close proximity to key experiences such as the dolphin interaction area and jetty. This makes it the best choice for travellers seeking a highly accessible, all-in-one stay.

In Denham, the Heritage Resort provides some ground-floor accessible room options along with accessible facilities including the restaurant and pool areas. It is centrally located and a convenient base for exploring the town.

Shark Bay Seafront Apartments offer ground-floor units that may be suitable for wheelchair users, however accessibility varies between apartments. These are well suited to independent travellers, but it is important to confirm individual unit features prior to booking.

Oceanside Village Shark Bay offers a purpose-designed wheelchair-accessible villa. This unit includes step-free access, wider doorways, a walk-in shower, and grab rails. As there is only one accessible villa available, advance booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Overall, while accessible accommodation is available in Shark Bay, options are limited. Planning ahead and confirming details directly with providers will help ensure a comfortable and suitable stay.

We encourage all visitors to reach out ahead of time to ensure their visit to Shark Bay is as enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable as possible.