Exploring Francois Peron National Park: A Five-Day 4WD Itinerary
There are few places in Australia where you get to see red cliffs, white sand and deep turquoise water meet like in Francois Peron National Park. It's undoubtedly one of the best national parks in Australia. If you're seeking a destination for exceptional fishing, camping, and breathtaking sunsets, add it to the top of your Western Australia bucket list.
If you're planning to visit, here's a suggested five-day itinerary to help you make the most of your time in this stunning corner of Australia. Although, it’s easily a place you could visit for 10-14 days!
Location and Accessibility in Francois Peron National Park
Francois Peron National Park is located approximately 23 kilometers south of Denham, Western Australia, within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. The national park is mostly soft sand tracks beyond the Peron Heritage Precinct making it accessible by high clearance 4WDs only.
Only 4WD camper trailers and single-axle trailers with small boats can be towed north of the Peron Heritage Precinct due to soft sand tracks, making this an ideal destination for those with a rooftop tent, swag or small camper trailers - and of course a boat!
We were towing a small boat 4.2m and struggled in some areas mostly because the track becomes tight and makes it hard to pass oncoming traffic. It’s worthwhile noting that there are no boat ramps in the campground near Cape Peron - beach launching only.
There is no water, food or fuel inside the national park so make sure you plan ahead - we also found mobile phone coverage limited.
Day One: Little Lagoon and Peron Heritage Precinct
Begin your journey with the short drive from Denham to Francois Peron National Park, passing by Little Lagoon—a perfect spot for a swim, or tackle the 4km walk all the way around the lagoon at low tide.
Note: Stonefish are known to inhabit the lagoon, there are signs around the lagoon warning to wear footwear and be cautious if you plan to swim.
Next continue to the entry of Francois Peron National Park, make sure you have your national park pass in advance! A lot of traffic stops at the park entry to deflate tires, I suggest continuing on to the Peron Heritage Precinct and deflating your tires later when the 4WD track starts.
Peron Heritage Precinct is where you can explore the history of the area through a self-guided walk. Learn about the old shearing shed, shearer’s quarters, and stock yards that once defined life here. The best part of the precinct is the hot tub. Relaxing and soaking in the artesian waters is a bit of luxury while on the road (Beware: it can get very hot very quickly!).
Hint: Time your visit to the Peron Heritage Precinct for early morning or after lunch as it can get very busy. The artesian bath can only fit 8-12 people at a time.
For your first night's stay at Francois Peron National Park, I’d recommend camping at the Big Lagoon campground. This is one of the most popular spots, particularly for caravan campers. Arrive early to secure a spot, as they tend to fill up quickly. We arrived on both occasions at 1pm and got our choice of drive-through sites in the upper section. The prime waterfront sites are very rare to snag, and most people stay for extended periods of time. Although, the upper section is still great and offers drive-through sites and walk-in tent platforms with breathtaking views.
It’s $15 per night payable to the camp host on site. The whole park operates on a first-come, first-served basis. If the Big Lagoon campground is bustling, consider one of the quieter campgrounds closer to Cape Peron (they’re more beautiful!). It’s also worthwhile noting toilets are available at all campgrounds in the national park.
Day Two: Big Lagoon and South Gregories
While camping at Big Lagoon, enjoy the unbelievably turquoise waters ideal for stand-up paddle boarding or canoeing. With any luck you might spot a dolphin, turtle or dugong.
Fishing is permitted near the lagoon's mouth (south of the campground), and you can launch a boat from the boat ramp. It’s best to check the signs around the area for the most up to date fishing restrictions. We decided to not put the boat in at Big Lagoon, as we knew there would be plenty of fishing opportunities closer to Cape Peron.
Journey towards South Gregories, known for its challenging track particularly around Cattle Well, as we were warned. The worst part about the tracks is making room for the oncoming traffic while avoiding the soft sand on either side of the 4WD track.
If you’re looking for some of the best fishing on the west coast of Australia, launch your boat off the beach at South Gregories. With little effort, we can guarantee you’ll catch a fish. Even if you’re fishing off the beach - it’s ranked one of the best sport fishing location in the world for a reason. We mostly caught pink snapper, coral trout, spangled emperor and rock cod. While on the water we were joined by lots of dolphins and spotted the odd sharks (not surprisingly).
South Gregories, Gregories and Bottle Bay all offer great beachside camping. Our top choice of campgrounds would be Gregories especially for the ease of launching the boat off the beach. We also found it the quietest but this would change depending on what time you’re visiting the national park.
If you have the time we recommend staying a night at each.
Day Three: Gregories and Bottle Bay
If you’re still up for more fishing, dedicate your day to fishing between the waters of Gregories and Bottle Bay. We discovered a small reef less than 1km from shore and had a successful day fishing, catching many of the same species as the day before.
Day Four: Cape Peron and Skipjack Point Lookout
On the next day, take a break from fishing and explore Cape Peron! We highly recommend hiking the 1.5 kilometre trail between Cape Peron and Skipjack Point Lookout, where you'll encounter the famous red sand cliffs of the national park. The round-trip hike typically takes around 2 hours to complete.
The Skipjack Point Lookout was a standout experience during our visit to Cape Peron National Park. We were amazed by the marine life in the area, including sharks, turtles, rays, manta rays, dolphins, and even whales. While we didn't spot a dugong, they are known to visit the area so keep an eye out. If not try your luck at the Big Lagoon.
Day Five: Herald Bight or Monkey Mia
If time allows - especially if you have a canoe or stand-up paddleboard - consider visiting Herald Bight. It's an excellent spot to seek shelter from south-westerly winds, although during our visit, the wind was coming from the opposite direction, so we didn't stay long.
We decided to head straight to Monkey Mia, which although not part of Francois Peron National Park, is a must-visit in the area and conveniently on the same road as the national park. While opinions on Monkey Mia vary (notably on WikiCamps), we had a fantastic time exploring the area. We stayed overnight at the RAC Caravan Park at Monkey Mia, but you can also visit for the day and return to Denham in the evening.
Note: There is a daily fee to enter Monkey Mia Conservation Park - it’s unavoidable at the entry of the area. It’s currently $15pp.
One of the highlights of Monkey Mia is the dolphin experience the Parks and Wildlife Services runs every morning starting at 7:45am. We had already seen more dolphins than enough dolphins while at Francois Peron National Park so we opted not to participate.
Note: Even if you choose to skip the dolphin experience, it’s worthwhile visiting the beach in the morning and staying behind the roped-off paid area. Dolphins frequently swim along the shore throughout the day, especially in the morning when they often come 1-2 metres of the beach.
The Boughshed Restaurant and Monkey Bar is lovely to visit during happy hour - the emus that call Monkey Mia home love to get up close and personal.
Francois Peron National Park offers a truly unique remote camping experience. Take your time to explore its diverse landscapes, unwind by the turquoise waters, and enjoy the beautiful marine life of Shark Bay. It's a destination that promises unforgettable camping and lots of great fishing!
Frequently Asked Questions
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The ideal time to visit Francois Peron National Park and the Shark Bay region is during the cooler months from April to May. We visited in June, and the park was quiet with comfortable temperatures. It's advisable to avoid the hotter summer months (December to February) due to extreme temperatures and the risk of dehydration.
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Entry fees for Francois Peron National Park are $17 per vehicle. However, it's best to check Explore Parks for the most up-to-date entry fees. If you have already purchased a Parks Pass (annual or holiday), it is valid for Francois Peron National Park.
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Francois Peron National Park is accessible via soft sand tracks beyond the Peron Heritage Precinct, making it suitable only for high-clearance 4WD vehicles. Only 4WD camper trailers and single-axle trailers with small boats can be towed north of the Peron Heritage Precinct due to the soft sand tracks. This makes it an ideal destination for those with rooftop tents, swags, or small camper trailers—and, of course, a boat.
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Francois Peron National Park has limited facilities. There are basic toilets at certain camping locations within the park, but visitors should be prepared with their own supplies, including water for drinking. It’s advised to be completely self-sufficient.
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Fishing is permitted in certain areas of the national park, and we highly recommend it as Francois Peron is renowned as one of the best fishing spots in the world. However, it's crucial to observe the signs and be aware of any fishing restrictions or regulations in place to protect the marine environment within the conservation park. Fishing responsibly ensures the sustainability of the area's natural resources for future visitors to enjoy.