Dampier Peninsula Western Australia
A pristine peninsula rich with Aboriginal culture and history just north of Broome with its characteristic red pindan woodland stretching along the beaches.
At a Glance
The Dampier Peninsula is a peninsula that is located just north of Broome. The northernmost tip of the Dampier Peninsula is known as Cape Leveque, also known as Kooljaman. Many refer the Dampier Peninsula as the best kept secret of Broome.
Dampier Peninsula is best known for its beautiful beaches, one such is the James Price Point, where the turquoise water meets the sandy beach perched beneath the towering red pindan cliffs. The area is also home to a diverse range of small Aboriginal communities that offers eco-tourism activities as well as accommodation.
The best way to book Dampier Peninsula
Where is Dampier Peninsula?
Dampier Peninsula is approximately 2300 kilometres north of Perth.
Dampier Peninsula is surrounded by the beautiful ocean with large stretches of pristine beaches. One of the most iconic vegetation on the peninsula is the Pindan Woodland. Due to the difficult terrain in the area, you would require a 4WD to navigate the region. One of the best ways to get to Port Gregory is to hire a car from Perth Airport, or flying to the Djarindjin Community Airport.
Things to see in Dampier Peninsula
James Price Point
James Price Point is a headland on the Dampier Peninsula that showcases the extraordinary blend of the colour blue and red. Behind where the ocean meets the sandy beaches lies the characteristic red pindan cliff. The area was also known for having the largest known dinosaur footprint on the planet.
Beagle Bay
Beagle Bay is a small Aboriginal Community on the peninsula that showcases an unusual thing. The settlement houses the Beagle Bay Church, which was built entirely by the local Aborigines and the Pallottine monks. It is an extraordinary achieve as the region was inaccessible by land at the time. Every brick were made by hand, the interior were decorated with shells, resulting in a striking display.
Middle Lagoon
The Middle Lagoon is the perfect place to chill around the great beaches without must disruption from others. The beaches here are usually quiet and empty, making it really good for one to swim, snorkel, fish and relax in peace. Not only that, birds, turtles, dugongs and even whales are known to visit the area from time to time, so gear up with your binoculars and cameras. Campsites are available at the cliff-top nearby for you to stay the night.
Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
The Dampier Peninsula is famed for its pearl farming industry that had been in place for centuries. Located at the head of the Buccaneer Archipelago lies the oldest pearl farm in Australia at Cygnet Bay. Here you can look at the beautiful glistering pearls, learning about the history of pearling in the region and how later technologies affected the industry.
What's the weather like?
Dampier Peninsula, being so far north, has a semi-arid climate, experiencing hot and wet summers. In Summer (December to February), the average maximum temperature is 32°C with an average minimum temperature of 26°C. In Winter (June to August), the average maximum temperature is 29°C with an average minimum temperature of 14°C.
Get to know Dampier Peninsula's history
The Dampier Peninsula is made up of many small Aboriginal communities with unique cultures and histories. The Bardi people traditionally owns the area near Cape Leveque, the northernmost tip of the peninsula. The current name of ‘Dampier’ is named after the navigator William Dampier who sailed to the area.
There is a long history of sea activities at the peninsula, with the Indigenous people having fish, turtles and dugongs as part of their diet. When the Europeans came, they took note of the abundance of pearl in the region, prompting the pioneering of the pearl industry there. The pearl farms at the region are still popular to this day.