Being Perth locals, we have visited Denmark WA numerous times. This is our guide to the best 10 things to do in Denmark WA plus tips on the best time to visit, how to get there, and where to stay.
Denmark is a small town situated between Walpole and Albany. It takes about 45 minutes from Denmark to Walpole and 40 minutes to Albany.
The main industries in the Denmark region are tourism, farming, fishing, and the arts. It’s become a popular home for alternative lifestyles, spiritualists, naturalists, artists, people who like the peaceful country life, and retirees. This gives the town a “hippy” vibe.
The beaches here are stunning, the scenery is spectacular, and the food’s delicious. What are you waiting for? Read on for all the information needed to plan your trip.
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The Best Things To Do in Denmark WA
There are many things to do in Denmark, WA, and the surrounding area, but this is my list of the best things to do if you are limited for time.
Greens Pool
Greens Pool is one of our favourite free things to do when we visit Denmark. The turquoise water is so clear and sparkles under the sunlight, and the sandy beach is perfect for the kids to play on.
The large granite boulders make the pool so picturesque that you can’t help but take a million photos. They also protect the bay from the Great Southern Ocean, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Zebra fish, silver drummer, six-spined leatherjackets, and mosaic sea stars are just some of the marine life you may encounter.
It’s a gradual slope from the beach into the water, so it remains shallow for quite a bit. This allows children to have a splash and swim without being in deep water.
The ocean is pretty cold but our daughters braved the cold water in April.
The views from the lookout across Greens Pool and Mazzoletti Beach in the distance are beautiful. Don’t forget your camera!
There’s a 1.5 km trail that links Greens Pool to Elephant Rocks if you want a walk.
Greens Pool is in William Bay National Park, a 15-minute drive west of Denmark.
Voted as Number 4 in Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice Top 25 Beaches in the South Pacific region, it’s a must-visit when in Denmark.
Elephant Rocks and Cove
Elephant Rocks and Cove are located in Williams Bay National Park, close to Greens Pool. The rocks are just a short walk from the car park.
If you look closely you can see how they got their name – the rocks resemble elephants looking out to sea.
The scenery here is magnificent and the ocean is like Greens Pool, a clear turquoise colour that contrasts against the boulders.
From Elephant Rocks, go down the stairs and walk between the two towering boulders, then you will be in Elephant Cove. This tiny sandy beach is stunning, and we had it to ourselves when we visited.
Be careful at High Tide as waves can rush through the walkway. I wouldn’t swim at this beach either as it has a known rip and is prone to large waves.
Denmark Animal Farm & Pentland Alpaca Stud
Denmark Animal Farm and Pentland Alpaca Stud is a fun thing to do with kids. We have visited twice, and our daughters have loved it on both occasions.
Currently, the admission prices are as follows:
Adults A$15.00
Senior Cardholders A$13.00
Children (3 – 15) A$8.00
2 Adults & 3 Children A$50.00
The cost includes a small bag of food each to feed the animals. There’s the option to purchase more food for A$1 a bag (our girls bought another two out of their pocket money).
There are normally joeys that can be held with the supervision of one of the staff. They are super cute and a highlight of our children’s visit. The adult kangaroos around the farm are free to leave, but some choose to stay (who can blame them).
You are free to enter some of the enclosures like the alpacas and the goats. Word of warning, don’t take food in with the goats. They can be very friendly if they know you have food!
There are baby farm animals too, some of which can be held. Bottle feeding is daily at 3 pm.
Open Wednesday to Monday 10 am to 4 pm.
Closed December 24 & 25 only.
2019 SCOTSDALE ROAD, DENMARK, WA, 6333.
Visit a Vineyard
Denmark and the surrounding Great Southern region has had great success in producing cold climate wines. There are now 25 wineries producing award-winning wines of incredible quality.
Riesling and Chardonnay were the first grapes planted, but there are now Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz.
My personal favourite is Singlefile Wines. Their wines are excellent, and you can bring food with you to have a picnic on their grounds.
The Lake House also has excellent reviews with their café/restaurant open for brunch, lunch, and/or afternoon tea.
Beaches
The beaches near Denmark are stunning, with plenty to choose from. The rugged coastline is beautiful with ancient granite rocks and dune cliffs.
My favourite is Greens Pool for the picturesque granite boulders and clear turquoise water.
The surf is best at Ocean Beach, the closest beach to Denmark. The Denmark Surf Lifesaving Club patrols this beach on weekends from December to March. It’s a great beach for water activities such as surfing, kayaking, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Toilets, changing rooms, and showers are available here.
Stop at the lookout, just before the beach, for wonderful views over the channel between the Wilson Inlet and the ocean. There is also Lions Lookout, just after Ocean Beach.
Lights Beach consists of three beaches; Eastern Beach, Central Beach, and Western Beach. Eastern Beach has a rock pool, Princess Pool, which is great for children to paddle in. It’s protected from the fierce waves by large boulders. Central Beach has large waves and is not suitable for swimming, but the views are beautiful. There’s another lookout at Lights Beach with spectacular views over William Bay and a great place to see the sunset.
Waterfall Beach is in William Bay National Park; make a left turn at the Greens Pool car park. A creek flows over Pleistocene rock to form a small waterfall. We visited in April, and it was more of a trickle, but I’d expect it to be better in late winter or early spring. Children like to play in the stream that leads into Madfish Bay.
The waterfall is to the left of the car park on the far side of the beach. Don’t just go for the waterfall; the beach is beautiful with great views across the bay.
Parry Beach is 21 km west of Denmark in the William Bay National Park. It has views across William Bay towards Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. Mazzoletti Beach can be accessed from Parry Beach across Parry Inlet most of the year, as the channel is completely blocked by a sand bar.
Walking Trails
There are many walking, biking, hiking, and water trails close to Denmark.
The Bibbulmun Track is a world-class long-distance walk. It covers nearly 1000kms from Perth suburb Kalamunda to Albany in the South West. If you’re not up to walking the whole track, it can be walked in smaller parts.
The Munda Biddi is an off-road cycling trail covering 1,000 km from Mundaring (in Perth’s hills) to Albany. Again, this trail can be ridden in sections.
A full list of the trails can be found on the Denmark Visitor Centre website.
This Trails of Denmark map shows where the walks are in relation to Denmark.
Lunch at Boston Brewing Co
Boston Brewing Co is the place for lunch in Denmark. It’s always crowded with couples, families, and friends.
This family-run business started in Denmark but now can also be found in Victoria Park, Perth.
I love the ways that the Boston Brewery contributes to the sustainability of Denmark; the local Parks use the empty grain bags for invasive weed collection, spent grain is given to local farmers to feed their stock, and local produce is used in their restaurant whenever possible.
They have around twelve of their beers on tap. I had the wheat beer, Hey Hay, which was really good. The Right Nut Brown Ale was a winner with my husband too.
If wine is more your style, the brewery is located on the grounds of Willoughby Park winery.
The playground is popular with children, and the outside area fills up fast. Therefore, I’d recommend booking ahead.
Denmark Town
Denmark is a small country town located by the Denmark River. Take a walk along the river, browse the shops, or stop in one of the cafes for a coffee or bite to eat.
Day Trip to Walpole
Walpole is only a 45-minute drive from Denmark, making it ideal for a day trip. Visit the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, Peaceful Bay, or one of the many other attractions.
This guide on things to do in Walpole provides other ideas on what to do on your day trip there. Combine this with the Youngs Sidings to Walpole Scenic Drive.
Day Trip to Albany
Albany is only a 40-minute drive from Denmark. If you haven’t been to Albany, and aren’t heading there as part of your Perth to Albany road trip, then take a day trip from Denmark.
Albany is known for its history, stunning beaches, and the incredible Torndirrup National Park. Our guide on things to do in Albany WA details all the best attractions for your day there.
Perth to Denmark WA
Denmark is in Western Australia’s South West, 414 km south east of Perth.
International and domestic visitors will fly into Perth Airport. Find details about visas, prohibited items, currency, and safety in this Australia Travel Guide and tips on arriving into WA and other essential travel information in this Western Australia Travel Guide.
There are car hire booths at Perth airport, but it’s best to pre-book your car rental. Choose from Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Enterprise, and Thrifty.
To compare rental car company prices, I use Discover Cars, an award-winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are have a high rate of customer satisfaction.
Denmark is just under a 5-hour drive from Perth, along Albany Highway and National Route 1.
TransWA runs buses to Albany that stop in Denmark. However, it’s hard to get around this region without a car.
The Ultimate Perth to Denmark
Road Trip
This Perth to Albany road trip, stopping in Denmark, takes you through the spectacular Margaret River region which should be on every traveller’s bucket list. Stop at the very best places Australia’s South West has to offer.
Denmark Forecast & Weather
The hottest months are from January to March, where the average highs are 24/25 degrees.
The coldest months are from June to September. During this time, the temperature will be around 16/17, with a minimum of 7.
Most rain falls between May and August, with January and February being the driest months.
See the detailed 7-day forecast at the Bureau of Meteorology.
Denmark WA Accommodation
For information on the best places to stay in Denmark for couples, solo travellers, families, including luxury stays, farm stays, and cheap lodgings, see this guide on the best accommodation in Denmark WA.
A Brief History & Settlement of Denmark WA
I want to respectfully acknowledge the Noongar People, the Traditional Owners, and First People of these lands. I would like to pay my respect to the Elders past, present, and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture, and hopes of the Noongar People.
The Noongar People called the river and the inlet Kwoorabup, which means “place of the black wallaby” (kwoor).
The Millar Brothers bought 20,000 acres of timber-covered land in 1895 and built a timber mill. By 1900, there were three mills, with 800 workers and their families residing in Denmark.
In 1904 Millars’ Denmark operation was closed down due to the depletion of timber. Most people left the area, and it wasn’t until 1920 that the town was revived with the introduction of the Group Settlement Scheme.
Small parcels of land were cleared to make way for farms, mainly cattle, dairy, and orchards.
The tourism industry started when American soldiers stationed in Albany during WWII took trips to Denmark. After the war, Denmark became a popular place to holiday by Western Australians.
Western Australia’s South West Travel Guide
This detailed travel guide provides information on all the regions that make up Australia’s South West. Read about the destinations, including what to do and where to stay.
Western Australia Travel Guide
For other ideas on where to visit in Western Australia along with the best things to do, where to stay, how to get around, and other essential information, click on the link below.
Save money planning your holiday
Flights: We use different sites to get the best possible price for flights. Check matrix.itasoftware.com to get an idea of the cheapest dates, but you can’t book through this site. Compare the cost of flights with Skyscanners and try different routes.
Accommodation: We mainly use Booking.com for accommodation as they consistently have the lowest rates with free cancellation on most properties. We also book through Stayz for private accommodation as they are usually cheaper than Airbnb.
Car Rental: To compare rental car company prices, we use Discover Cars, an award winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and are highly-rated.
Tours: We use third-party sites Viator, Get Your Guide & Klook due to their free cancellation policies, instant confirmation, price guarantees, and mobile ticketing. We occasionally book through Red Balloon too.
Travel Insurance: Cover-More protects the travel dreams and experiences of more than 15 million people worldwide every year (including us!). Part of Zurich Insurance Group, they cover 22 countries across five continents with leading positions in the USA, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Ireland, India and New Zealand. Protect your trip against several COVID-19 scenarios during the current coronavirus pandemic.
FAQ
What is the population of Denmark?
According to the 2016 Census, the Denmark WA population was 2,558. This increases with tourists with the town at full capacity during school holidays and summer.
How far is Denmark WA from Perth?
Along Albany Highway, it is 416 km, which will take about 4 hours and 45 minutes by car.
Why is Denmark WA called Denmark?
Denmark River was named after Alexander Denmark, a naval surgeon, in 1829.
How far is Denmark from Albany?
Denmark is 54.5 km from Albany and would take about 40 minutes in a car.
Is there a supermarket in Denmark?
Yes, there are two IGAs in the town centre, one a Supa IGA. Both supermarkets are open 7 days a week.
If you found this guide on the Best Things To Do in Denmark helpful, please consider booking through one of our links. It won’t cost you anything but will help towards the cost of running this site. Thank you.
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I like the look of Denmark’s beautiful beaches. A great place for a nice restful and relaxing retreat. It was good to know how the town got it’s name, as I was wondering that while reading the post!
Thanks you Liz, we love this part of WA.
This looks like the kind of place we love to go!
We should go for a year to Australia with all these amazing guides that you are putting together!
Great job Wendy and thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Can’t wait to show you guys around!
Funny that there’s a Denmark in Western Australia! Those beaches are calling me, especially as it’s just starting snowing here in Italy. Green Pools and Elephant Rocks are a must see and even better of course because it’s free!
Both Green Pool and Elephant Rocks are stunning, and one of my favourite places to visit in Denmark and Western Australia.
The beaches of Australia’s Denmark look fantastic! The Ark of Denmark is exactly the type of lodging I always look for
Denmark’s beaches are beautiful Steven, with soft white sand. We haven’t stayed at The Ark of Denmark yet, but it looks amazing.
I loved Denmark although we didn’t have long enough to do everything in your guide. We stayed in the Rivermouth camp site which was lovely – take me back!! 😉
Denmark is a beautiful town with a lot to do. However, it’s also the best place to simply lie back and relax.
I’m officially in love with Denmark! From the gorgeous beaches and alpacas to the wineries and Boston Brewery – it sounds like my kind of place. I love the punny names of the beers at the brewery. Are they all like that?
Australia always seems so incredibly beautiful… it’s even to hard to decide where to start. Thank you for sharing this and all your amazing pictures!
Thank you Alexandra. If you decide to travel to Australia and need help planning, let me know. I’m always happy to help.
I’ve never seen water this beautiful and I think I need to change that!!! 2021 in Australia?!?!?
The ocean really is that clear Kevin. Hope you make it here once we can travel again.
Denmark looks so beautiful! I love the Elephant Rocks and I definitely wouldn’t say no to visiting the wineries!
Elephant Rocks is one of the best places to visit in Denmark and the wine is excellent.
Another great place! I was wondering how did Denmark get its name and I fully expected it to be something to do with the country!
I must admit that I thought that Denmark was named after the European country before I researched it.
Any place with a winery and alpacas is a winner for me Wendy. Especially if you can visit the latter after getting giddy in the former.
haha we did it the other way round 🙂
What an incredible place!! Greens pools?! That water! And boutique lodging 🙂 looks like my kinda place in WA!
Doesn’t the accommodation look wonderful? We normally camp, but think I might have to change that the next time we visit Denmark.