Nestled in between Dirk Hartog Island, two peninsulas, and the western most tip of the Australian mainland, the unique environment of the Shark Bay area is one of W.A.'s most loved and revered holiday destinations. Scores of visitors pour into the region each year not only for the opportunity to play with the friendly dolphins of Monkey Mia, but to simply enjoy the bay's spectacular beaches and pristine wilderness.

Travelling into Shark Bay by road is interesting in itself, with much to see along the way. 27 kilometres from it's beginnings at the North West Coastal Highway's Overlander Roadhouse, a five kilometre detour ends at turquoise waters of Hamlin Pool, and the world's best known (and most accessible) enclave of stromatolites. Stromatolites are a kind of "living fossil", created over thousands of years by layers of small microbes feeding on tiny particles of carbon and calcium, swept in on the ebbing tide. Considered to be one of the earliest forms of life on Earth, this colony is particularly striking, and became the crucial factor in cementing Shark Bay's listing as a World Heritage Area. Although a boardwalk has been constructed for viewing this rare marine landscape, it's best to visit at low tide when there not fully submerged. Close by, information, services and camping facilities are all available at the old telegraph station.

Fifty kilometres further up the road, another short detour leads to the stunning expanses of the very aptly named Shell Beach. This 110 kilometre beach is made up entirely of countless tiny white shells, up to 10 metres deep in places! Although sunbathing's a little uncomfortable, the calm lucid ocean is incredibly inviting. Close by, the huge sheep station on the deserted white beaches of Nanga Bay provides the idyllic setting for the Nanga Bay Holiday Resort.

130 kilometres from it's origin, the road comes to an end at Denham, Australia's western most town and the main centre servicing the Shark Bay area. Two thirds the way up the narrow Peron Peninsula, Denham is a small prawning town which has quite happily added tourism on it's list of qualities. A great variety of tour companies base operations here, and there's a range of accommodation and facilities which will ensure a comfortable stay for any traveller.

On the other side of the peninsula directly east of Denham, Monkey Mia is the small resort town on the shores of the Shark Bay Marine Park, famous for it's sociable bottlenosed dolphins. Nearly everyday like clockwork, the dolphins swim inshore to the shallow waters surrounding the town, gently bumping against the legs of excited tourists, as they seek a free feed from the resident park ranger. This is an once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with these intelligent creatures, and really is quite a thrill.

Behind interacting with the dolphins, Monkey Mia's second most popular activity are the eco-cruises which sail visitors into the otherwise unexplorable sections of the Shark Bay Marine Park. The park's boundary's protect other special marine wildlife species, like sea turtles and dugongs, a cruise will be your best chance to spot one.

Adding the finishing touches to the area's overall appeal, the arid coastal wilderness of the Francois Peron National Park provides an intriguing and remote setting for those keen on land-based expeditions. Several 4WD tour companies offer insightful and interesting trips into the park, beginning at Denham. Alternatively, do-it-yourselfers can obtain all desired information from the Peron Homestead, located a few kilometres from the park's entrance.

Back on the main highway and two hundred kilometres north of the Overlander Roadhouse, Carnarvon is a large town supporting the area's thriving agricultural and fishing industries. The town's centre is scenically placed at the estuary of the Gascoyne River, and overlooks Whitlock and Babbage Islands. Babbage Island is of particular interest, incorparating Carnarvon's interesting Maritime Heritage Precinct and the ridiculously long "one mile" jetty, which is great for strolls, fishing, and crabbing. You can walk to the island via a causeway which allows great views over the mangroves to town, or take the classic train restored to image the old Kimberly Rattler. Surrounding the outskirts of town, the vast banana and mango plantations are also worth a look, with several farms opening their gates to the public. Cheap fresh fruit and vegetables are available to buy, and some even serve delicious home-made tropical treats. Backpackers can find casual work at the plantations, especially during the Winter picking season.

Near the tip of the North West Cape, Exmouth is one of Australia's newest settlements, founded as a support town for the nearby US Navel Communications Station. More recently tourism has developed into the main focus, as Exmouth becomes more renowned for it's surrounding beaches and close proximity to the Ningaloo Marine Park.

The Ningaloo Marine Park stretches for a massive 260 kilometres along the western shores of the North West Cape, protecting what many call a mini Great Barrier Reef. The reef is less than a hundred metres offshore in places, making the magnitude of corals and marine wildlife easier to experience than it's east-coast counterpart. Dive centres operating out of Exmouth and Coral Bay will introduce you to this spectacular underwater wilderness, with encounters of dugongs and enormous manta rays and whale sharks all on the cards.

The shores of much of the marine park are also protected by the 510 square kilometre expanses of Cape Range National Park. A series of forested gorges (Charles Knife, the Shothole and Yardie Creek) provide the rugged backdrop to collection of pristine swimming and snorkelling beaches. There are several camping grounds within the park, but for a more authentic wilderness adventure, try the sand dune surrounded Ningaloo Reef Retreat.

150 kilometres south of Exmouth, the quiet resort town Coral Bay is another popular access point to the Ningaloo Marine Park. The reef lies just off the bay's extensive beaches and dunes, providing plenty more sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling opportunities. The area is also renowned for it's great year-round fishing.

Back on the main highway 257 kilometres north of the turn-off to Exmouth and Coral Bay, another secondary road branches left towards the coast, ending up in the modest town of Onslow. Once the mainland base for British nuclear experiments at the nearby Montebello Islands, Onslow now serves the identical purpose for the nearby offshore gas and oil rigs. The town is bordered by some great fishing and swimming beaches, and the interesting ruin of the old town's site is definitely worth a look.

Places to stay in Onslow are fairly limited, but if your budget's in good condition there are a couple of quality resorts located off-shore in the Mackeral Island Group. The resorts are usually inhabited by fisherman with the dream of landing a big one, as the brilliant blue waters around the islands are a game-fishing paradise.