Coastal walks and Foreshore in Dampier

The Roaming with Red Dog Trail is in Dampier and starts at Dampier Information Bay. One section runs on foot along the foreshore and leads to the sites of The Palms and The Dunes. This makes the trail a practical starting point for a walk by the water. At Dampier Foreshore, you’ll also find walking paths along the palm-lined Esplanade and shaded picnic areas. There are swimming spots at Shark Cage Beach; swimming conditions can vary. The walking path, picnic break and swimming offer different ways to enjoy the Foreshore.

Take a boat to the Dampier Archipelago

Dampier is a departure point for day cruises to the Dampier Archipelago. Operators and timetables can change, so check current departure times before making plans. Boat charters are also available from Dampier. There is also a public boat ramp in Dampier; check the facilities on site before setting off. Cruises, charters and boating independently offer different ways to plan your time on the water.

The islands of the Dampier Archipelago lie within a 45-kilometre radius of Dampier on the Pilbara coast. The archipelago comprises 42 islands and islets to explore. Its documented natural features include coral reefs, sponge gardens and more than 650 fish species. These features give the archipelago a distinct focus alongside the walks and swimming spots on Dampier’s coast: here, the islands and their marine habitats take centre stage.

Murujuga: rock art and culture

The Dampier Archipelago was added to the National Heritage List on 3 July 2007. In Murujuga National Park and on the surrounding islands, there are an estimated one to two million rock art images, some of which are up to 50,000 years old. The scale and great age of the rock art make it an important cultural focus when visiting the surrounding area, distinct from activities directly at Dampier Foreshore.

At Nganjarli, formerly known as Deep Gorge, the MAC Rangers, the traditional custodians of Murujuga, lead a 1.5-hour experience exploring rock art and culture. When planning, it’s a good idea to check the latest booking details. The Nganjarli Trail is wheelchair accessible and suitable for prams. As infrastructure accessibility may be affected by maintenance, check conditions before your visit. Allow about 15 minutes to drive from Dampier to Nganjarli; road and traffic conditions may affect travel time.

Another historic and iconic landmark of the Pilbara region is Sam’s Island. The island lies just a short distance across the water from Dampier Foreshore. It helps orient visitors between the waterfront in Dampier and nearby destinations, without being considered one of the islands of the Dampier Archipelago.

Choose the focus of your stay

When looking for accommodation in Dampier, it helps to consider one question first: do you want your stay to focus mainly on the town’s walks and Foreshore, a day cruise, or a visit to Nganjarli? The options differ in both theme and location: the walks and Foreshore are in Dampier, Nganjarli is about a 15-minute drive away, and day cruises depart from Dampier for the archipelago.

Discover more destinations: Bellevue, Harvey, Nornalup, Point Samson, Balingup, Karijini, Nannup, Meekatharra

See the broader travel overview: Western Australia.