Denmark is a small town on the banks of the Denmark River, surrounded by forest and a short drive from the Southern Ocean.
Summers are warm without being scorching. Winters are cool and wetter, which is why everything here is so green, and it's also when the whales pass by and the rainbows come out.
Come for the beaches, the tall trees, the walks or the wineries. Whatever brings you here, Denmark is a place to slow down, breathe in and take your time. It's the kind of place you'll want to come back to.
You'll find us on the south coast of Western Australia, about 420 km south-south-east of Perth, in the heart of the Rainbow Coast.
The towering forests seamlessly blend into immaculate white sandy beaches, extending over the ancient rocks and meeting the breathtaking Southern Ocean.
Nestled along the winding bend of the Denmark River, a heritage trail takes you on a scenic walk towards the river mouth, passing by the historic rail bridge and offering a serene view of the river gracefully merging with the Wilson Inlet.
Nature enthusiasts are drawn to Denmark for its unspoiled beaches, top-notch hiking trails, abundant wildlife, rolling terrain, majestic tall trees, and vibrant wildflowers.
Plan your trip today and experience the magic for yourself!There are many walks and trails in and around Denmark. Stroll through ancient forests, wander past still waters, walk along the ocean's edge, hike through the bushland, gaze from cliffs, climb mountains and boulders, play in the park lands, watch for whales and splash on the beaches. The walks are awe inspiring, with so many different scenic backdrops from which to choose.
The Denmark Region offers a wide variety of outdoor activities to suit every taste and preference. From biking and hiking to running, climbing, paragliding, and globeriding, visitors can explore the natural landscape and challenge themselves at their own pace. For those who love the water, there are opportunities for canoeing, boating, surfing, fishing and swimming.
The world famous Bibbulmun Track winds right through the heart of Denmark offering magnificent scenery on a well maintained walking trail with sleeping huts and basic facilities along the way.
The Denmark Region offers a range of outdoor activities, including biking on the Munda Biddi Trail, surfing lessons on Ocean Beach, and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Greens Pool. Visitors can also sample local delicacies like honey and cheese, and explore the region's thriving wine industry, known as the Denmark Wine Region.
Denmark sits within the Southwest Australian biodiversity hotspot, one of only 36 regions in the world recognised for an exceptional variety of plants and animals. Many of the plants that grow here are found nowhere else on earth.
You'll see it most clearly in spring, when the wildflowers come out, but there is something in flower in every season. Keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife along the way.
See what's in flower and when in our wildflowers guide.
This is a coastline for getting back to nature as a family, with calm, sheltered water to paddle in at Greens Pool and Prawn Rock Channel, sand to dig in, and bush walks short enough for small legs. Children love it here, and you'll find the whole family slowing down together. You can surf at Ocean Beach too!
The Bibbulmun Track and the Munda Biddi Trail both pass through Denmark, so you'll often share the main street with walkers and riders coming in off the track.
Visit our Birds & Wildflowers page to see what you might spot.
The Wilson Inlet is fed by the Denmark, Hay and Sleeman rivers. You can see it less than a kilometre south of town, at the Denmark river mouth. It covers almost fifty square kilometres and is roughly 14 km long and 4 km wide.
The Rainbow Coast from the air.
The Wilson Inlet is separated from the sea by the Nullaki Peninsula. Where the peninsula meets the headland at Ocean Beach, a sandbar holds the inlet back from the ocean.
Each year the sandbar is breached at Prawn Rock Channel, and a wide channel opens as the inlet flows out to sea.
The Noongar name for the Denmark River is Kwoorabup, which the Shire of Denmark translates as "place of the western brush wallaby". An 1833 surveyor recorded the meaning as "place of the black swan", and black swans are still a familiar sight on the inlet.
See it for yourself at Prawn Rock Channel, beside Ocean Beach, or read more about the Wilson Inlet.
The happy and peaceful locals are very welcoming of visitors, creating a wonderfully friendly small-town atmosphere that will have you returning time and time again. It is one of the most historic, stylish and most naturally beautiful destinations in the world.
When you visit the pristine beaches, the lush forests, the quaint town and experience the artsy vibe you'll understand why!
DENMARK HISTORYThe Town was formed around 1895, when a high demand for timber from Europe and around the world and the nearby goldrush kept the sawmills in Denmark busy. Today Denmark is a peaceful town of around 7000 locals and is a holiday destination for many year round!. The economy is sustained by a combination of tourism, dairy and cattle farming, fishing and the arts.
Denmark town centre is peaceful, with no traffic lights and a host of wonderful places to shop as well as delightfully delicious restaurants and cafes. Denmark is home to artisans, so everywhere you see evidence of their creativity dotted around!
The ambiance is relaxed and with everything so close together it is possible to park in one spot and meander through town leisurely. The cafes and shops are a delight to browse around.
The town centre feels the way it does because of the people who run its shops and cafes. When visiting Denmark, please buy from the local shops!
Take your time. You'll find gifts and homewares you won't see back home, some made right here in Denmark, and boutiques with clothing and accessories for every taste.
Denmark has two main shopping streets, South Coast Highway and Strickland Street, with plenty of parking close by, so it's easy to leave the car and explore on foot. You'll find surf wear, fashion, gifts, games, homewares and local art, with cafes, bakeries and restaurants along the way.
You can also buy fresh produce in town, including organic and spray-free food. See the Denmark food guide for where to eat.
DENMARK SHOPPING GUIDE
The town sits on the northern shore of the Wilson Inlet, along the banks of the Denmark River.
This eco-friendly tidy town is alive with culture and the arts. The diverse range of locals make this a colourful and fun place to be. There are festivals held annually including the Festival of Voice and Brave New Works. There is a vibrant music scene with many local artists performing in venues around town and further afield.
Each year at the end of May and beginning of June, Denmark hosts the Festival of Voice. Local, National and International artists come together in Denmark to celebrate the power and beauty of the human voice through song, story telling and spoken word. Immerse yourself in the captivating musical journey of the Denmark Festival of Voice. From classical to contemporary, choral to comedy, indie to Indigenous, and gypsy to jazz, this eclectic event offers a vibrant mix of genres that will delight and inspire.
Music, dance, art and theatre are celebrated year round! There are many talented local artists with studios in Denmark, several have open studios at the Old Butter Factory in town. There are also many excellent alternative and complementary holistic practitioners in many modalities, making this a great retreat for healing or recuperation.
Berridge Park is Denmark's main park, right on the river's edge in the town centre. It's a lovely spot to stop and watch the river go by.
The delightful gazebos and picnic benches give plenty of choice for alfresco dining, and the huge trees offer welcome shade during the hot summer months!
The park is having a big makeover. The old playground has been taken down, and there are no BBQs or basketball court while the work is going on. A new playground, skatepark and sports court are on the way.
In the meantime, take the kids to Kwoorabup Community Adventure Park, a short way upriver off Horsley Road. It's a nature play park built around a dry river bed, with mounds to climb, logs to balance on and plenty of room to run. It sits beside the Denmark River, so keep an eye on little ones near the water.
Denmark Thrills is home to a unique and thrilling adventure that you won't find anywhere else in Australia! It's the world's longest globe-riding track! See kangaroos up close and cuddle a joey at the Denmark Animal Farm. Hold a snake or let a parrot sit on your shoulder at Dinosaur World!
There are plenty of activities around town. The well established Denmark Country Club offers an 18 hole 72 par golf course and tennis courts. The Bowling Club is central to town and popular with the locals and the Recreation Centre is available for leisure pursuits as well as a gym.
There is a Dragon Boat Club and a Surf Life Saving Club in town and craft groups such as the spinners, woodturners and quilters sharing their many talents with the community.
For a gentle walk, follow the Mokare Heritage Trail along the Denmark River. There are picnic tables by the water, so pack a lunch and take your time.
Learn to surf and experience the thrill of the ocean. Denmark is known for its gorgeous beaches, and all throughout the Denmark Coast, the beaches are easily accessible and incredibly gorgeous. Soft white sand, clear blue water, fresh air, beautiful and peaceful surrounding, water and ocean sports of all types... the beaches around the Denmark Region are reflective of all the best points about life in Australia!
Ocean Beach is the most popular surfing beach and the home of South Coast Surfing Lessons and Mike Neunuebel's surf instruction school. Friendly, passionate, informative and fabulous with children and perfect for a beginner. Mike is an accredited instructor in surfing and ocean awareness.
Above: Ocean Beach, Denmark
Accommodation 
Shopping in Denmark 
Eating in Denmark 
Denmark Wineries Exploring the Denmark Wine Region? Visit DenmarkWineRegion.com.au for a curated list of Denmark wineries with cellar doors, food and live music. Heading towards Perth? Discover historic harbour life, dining and accommodation at FremantleWesternAustralia.com.au . Want to explore more of the South Coast of Western Australia? See our sister site RainbowCoast.com.au – South Coast travel guide.
This is a website sharing the beauty of Denmark Western Australia from a local's perspective. Photographs of Denmark have all been taken by local photographers and are copyright protected, editorial in nature and are NOT for sale and may NOT be used without written permission of Western Publishing. Denmark WA Maps are coded using technology from Google. Videos are intended for educational and documentary purposes and are streamed using YouTube technology. Website Design and photography by our family of five living in the heart of the Rainbow Coast. This site is for informational purposes only and is a travelogue, weblog and a web resource for visitors to Denmark Western Australia on the South Coast of Western Australia. We are not affiliated with the Shire of Denmark. We are not affiliated with the official Denmark Visitors Centre which amazingly is being staffed by volunteers and run by the local Chamber of Commerce. We believe in 0% commission for our local advertisers which is a win-win for the community. Interested in stargazing and our amazing dark sky region of Western Australia? Visit the Galactic Core Observatory's website for everything you need for a night out!! lol
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