Dampier: Foreshore, Archipelago and Rock Art

Dampier combines walks along a palm-lined foreshore with trips out on the water. Nearby, Murujuga’s rock art and culture add another dimension. This lets you plan your trip around time at the beach, a journey to the archipelago and a visit to Nganjarli. When choosing your accommodation, one practical question is key: do you want Dampier itself to be the main focus, or would you also like to set aside time to explore the surrounding area?

Walks and swimming spots in Dampier

Dampier Foreshore has shaded picnic areas and walking paths along the palm-lined esplanade. Swimming is possible at Shark Cage Beach, though conditions can vary. A walk along the esplanade and time by the water offer a different way to experience Dampier than a trip to the islands.

The Roaming with Red Dog Trail is in Dampier and starts at Dampier Information Bay. One section follows the foreshore on foot to reach the sites known as The Palms and The Dunes. This connects a starting point in town with a section of the route by the water. If you’re interested in the trail, you can include it as a separate activity in your plans for Dampier.

Experience the Dampier Archipelago from the water

The islands of the Dampier Archipelago lie within 45 kilometres of Dampier on the Pilbara coast. The archipelago comprises 42 islands and islets to explore. Its natural features include coral reefs and sponge gardens, and it is home to more than 650 fish species. The archipelago was added to the National Heritage List on 3 July 2007.

Dampier is a departure point for day cruises to the archipelago, and boat charters are also available from here. Operators and schedules can change, so check the timetable when planning a cruise. Dampier also has a public boat ramp. If you plan to use it, check the local facilities before setting out. These options offer different ways to include the islands in your trip, without making any one type of excursion the focus of your visit.

Murujuga: rock art and cultural history

An estimated one to two million rock art images can be found in Murujuga National Park and on the surrounding islands. Some are up to 50,000 years old. A visit to Nganjarli, formerly known as Deep Gorge, offers a closer look at rock art and culture: the MAC Rangers, Murujuga’s Traditional Custodians, lead a 1.5-hour experience exploring these themes. Booking details can change, so check them before planning your visit.

The Nganjarli Trail is designed for wheelchair access and is suitable for strollers. As accessibility depends on the infrastructure, check its condition before your visit. Allow about 15 minutes to drive from Dampier to Nganjarli; travel time depends on road and traffic conditions. This makes the trail easy to plan as an excursion from Dampier, while the MAC Rangers’ experience offers a distinct way to engage with rock art and culture.

A historic site on Sam’s Island

Sam’s Island is just a short distance across the water from Dampier Foreshore and is regarded as a historic, iconic landmark of the Pilbara region. Over four decades, Sam transformed the rocky site by hand into an oasis. He also built a castle there, which he called home. The story tells of a personal, long-term transformation of the site, adding a different kind of cultural history to the much older rock art in the wider area.

Allow about 15 minutes to drive from Dampier to Nganjarli. This gives you a way to weigh up whether your trip will focus mainly on time by the water and in town, or also include a visit to the surrounding cultural sites.

Discover more destinations: Mount Helena, Dardanup, Balingup, Margaret River, Derby, Carbunup River, Kordabup, Herron

Go to the regional travel overview: Western Australia.