Francois Peron National Park
Francois Peron National Park is located on the Peron Peninsula in Shark Bay, in the northern part of Western Australia.
It spans over 52,000 hectares of desert shrubs, red sand plains, dry salt lakes, and breathtaking coastal scenery.
When planning our second Western Australia road trip, I added Francois Peron to the itinerary after seeing a few photos online. The contrast of red cliffs, turquoise ocean, and white beaches? My favorite color combo. The lack of crowds? My favorite size.
Out of everything we saw on this Perth–Exmouth–Karijini route, Francois Peron was my favorite stop.
So I’m kicking off this review series with a love letter to that park.
How to Get to Francois Peron
Fly into Perth (PER) and rent a car at the airport.
The Perth–Exmouth route is a classic Western Australia road trip with loads to see along the way — I’ll cover all the stops in separate posts.
One-way car rental from Perth to Exmouth (or the reverse — via Learmonth Airport) is the best option.
Book your flights via https://avia.awd.ru — airport codes: Perth (PER), Exmouth (LEA).
Car Rental in Western Australia
Book at https://cars.awd.ru for the best rates.
For the Coral Coast route, a regular sedan will do just fine.
Most rentals come with a 300 km/day limit. That’s enough for a 10-day one-way trip.
Pro tip: buy extra insurance at Rentalcars — here’s why.
And if you’ve never rented a car one-way — read this first.
Do You Need a 4WD for Francois Peron?
Yes. There are no sealed roads, or even dirt tracks — only soft red sand.
Think of it like Fraser Island but with fewer tourists and more emus.
So you’ll need a real high-clearance 4WD with proper off-road features.
Nissan Qashqai or Audi Q5 won’t cut it.
The good news? You can rent a 4WD in Denham, just before the park.
Leave your regular car at the lot and switch to 4WD for a day or two — saves money.
Just search «Denham 4WD hire». I know Wicked Campers offer 2-day rentals there — I saw the option when booking a 4WD in Perth.
Where to Stay in Denham
Easy: stay in Denham.
I recommend the Shark Bay Seafront Apartments — next to a supermarket and a great local restaurant (prawns + rugby = yes).
You can also camp in the park — either at the basic campground in Big Lagoon, or wild-camp right on the beach.
Just don’t park too close to the ocean. Tides are a thing.
Things to Know Before Visiting
1. Roads are single-track. Plan ahead when meeting oncoming cars.
2. Deflate tires to 20 psi before entering. For Herald Bluff: 10 psi is safer.
3. Reinflate tires at the station near the old homestead.
4. Winds in Shark Bay usually blow from the SW. Only the east side (Herald Bluff) is sheltered.
5. Swimming is safest at Big Lagoon and Herald Bluff — strong currents elsewhere.
What to See in Francois Peron
My favorite spots: Cape Peron and Skipjack Point.
That iconic WA color trio — red, white, blue — is in full glory here.
Cliffs overlook the ocean — look down and you may spot reef sharks, dolphins, turtles, even whale sharks and manta rays.
For swimming and fishing, head to Herald Bluff.
No wind, calm waters, white sand, crystal-clear sea.
It’s shallow — but warm.
Drive on the beach and pick any spot you like — park where the soft sand meets the damp sand (tide line).
The west coast is windier and rougher — but still worth visiting:
- Cattle Well
- South Gregories
Between South Gregories and Gregories the road gets bumpy — enough to launch your head into the car ceiling (true story).
I didn’t test Bottle Bay, but if you turn right on the beach near Cape Peron, you’ll find a beautiful unnamed bay.
Road’s sandy and tough — but doable with good tires and skills.
How Long to Stay in Francois Peron
Two days is perfect — especially if camping overnight.
Daytime: not many animals.
Sunrise/sunset: emus and kangaroos everywhere. They say echidnas are around too — but they’re nocturnal.
For questions or discussion, visit the forum thread: Western Australia: Coral Coast 4WD from Perth to Exmouth via Karijini.