Last Updated on 19 September 2025 by Ariana Svenson
If you’re visiting Denmark, WA, William Bay National Park is a must-visit. Just 14km southwest of Denmark, the park stretches from Parry Beach at the western end of Mazzoletti Beach to the eastern edge of Lights Beach, closer to Denmark Town.
You’ll find some of the most stunning beaches on the South Coast, including the very famous Greens Pool, as well as the incredible rock formations of Elephant Rocks and ample hiking trails. Add in the trails, and plenty of lookouts, and it’s easy to see why William Bay is one of the best things to do in Denmark and across Western Australia’s south coast.
Having grown up on the South Coast, William Bay has been a place where we did swimming lessons, hiked up to granite rocks and spent many memorable hours on the beach. In recent years the attention Greens Pool has received has been a little bit overwhelming, as is the visitor numbers in summer.
This beautiful place is definitely on the list of the best things to do in Denmark!
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History and Naming
William Bay National Park was named by Sir William Edward Parry, a British Arctic explorer who never actually visited WA but worked in Port Stephens in NSW between 1829 and 1834! Nearby landmarks like Parry Inlet and Edward Point also honour him.
The area was officially declared a national park in 1971, with additional land added in the 1980s around Lake Byleveld to protect more of the unique coastal and granite headland ecosystems.
It’s worth noting that the park is often incorrectly named Williams Bay National Park!
We recognise and acknowledge the Menang people as the Traditional Owners of William Bay National Park.
Your Guide to Visiting William Bay National Park
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful place, plus plenty of tips.
How to Get to William Bay, Australia
William Bay National Park is set on the stunning South Coast of WA, nearest to Denmark and Walpole – ideal places to base yourself to explore! Here’s what you need to know:
Perth to William Bay National Park
Driving from Perth takes 4-4.5 hours. Of course, this can’t be done as a day trip! I recommend making a road trip out of your drive. Read our guide to a Perth to Albany Road Trip for more details.
The two main options are Albany Highway (via Kojonup and Mt Barker) or Forrest Highway (via Bunbury, Manjimup, and Walpole). Both connect to the South Coast Highway, which runs between Albany and Walpole.
Expect a scenic drive through farmland, forests, and small country towns. It’s worth stopping in Mt Barker for fuel and supplies before heading south to Denmark.
Denmark to William Bay, Western Australia
Denmark is the nearest town to William Bay and just a 10-15 minute drive away. If you are already in Denmark, it’s easy to get to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks.
It’s a 14-km drive, and if you come over a big hill and see the ocean sparkling out in front of you, you are nearly there!
From Albany
If you’ve based yourself in Albany, William Bay is an ideal day trip – just a 40-minute drive away (50km west).
Follow the South Coast Highway through farmland and forest until you see the William Bay Road turnoff. We recommend stopping at some top sights along the way.
Why not read our Denmark to Albany road trip guide for inspiration?
From Walpole
Just a 45-minute drive away, Walpole is also a great place to base yourself to explore William Bay (it’s home to the Valley of Giants treetop walk after all). The drive follows the Great Southern forest before opening up to incredible views of the coast near Denmark.
A map of Denmark, Albany and Walpole in relation to William Bay National Park, including Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool:
William Bay Parking
There are several car parks across William Bay National Park, including:
Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks carpark: Since the Greens Pool redevelopment, there have been two car parks. The first right-hand turn is best for Greens Pool. If you go to the second carpark (with a toilet block on the left-hand side), you are perfectly positioned to head down to Elephant Rocks.
There is also parking at Madfish Bay, Waterfall Beach and Parry Beach.
Here’s a map of the location of the two car parks:
In peak season (Dec–Jan), arrive before 9 am or after 3 pm, as carparks fill fast.
William Bay National Park Entry Fee + Opening Times
Unlike many WA national parks, entry is free and the park is open year-round 24/7, although note that facilities like toilets are closed at night.
When to Visit
William Bay National Park is a year-round destination, but your experience will be different depending on when you visit. Summer is all about the incredible color of the water (especially at Greens Pool) and long beach days. Keep in mind that summer is also the busiest time of year!
Spring brings milder weather, and there are more wildflowers to spot (read our WA wildflowers guide for inspiration). It’s also an ideal time of year to explore the many hiking trails of William Bay and the many beaches.
Although visiting in winter will bring a wilder edge to your trip, you’ll be able to see the Southern Ocean swells and quiet, mostly empty beaches. It’s a great time of year for photography or even bracing a coastal walk.
Highlights of William Bay, Australia
Greens Pool
Greens Pool is THE most popular spot to visit in the national park. This gorgeous natural swimming pool has been a favorite for many years and deservedly so.
It’s ideal for a swim due to being sheltered from the south coast winds by granite boulders (creating a natural reef), and has incredible turquoise water, white sand and unique rock formations. It’s a delightful sheltered place, shallow enough for swimming and perfect for snorkelling.
While it appears tranquil, there are several spots in Greens Pool that are dangerous, especially for those who are not capable or experienced swimmers. Read the safety signs, and be aware that the Southern Ocean can be dangerous.
Greens Pool is not only one of the best beaches in Denmark, but it’s also one ofthe best beaches in Western Australia. We’ve written a full guide to visiting Greens Pool, including plenty of local tips.
Elephant Rocks
Elephant Rocks, Denmark, is quite literally a photographer’s dream. These rounded granite boulders that resemble a herd of elephants are a fun place to explore with kids all year round.
We love rock climbing around there. We also like looking for animals in the rock pools and escaping from the rowdy elephants.
Here are recently paved paths, stairs and trees planted. Along the path, there is a lookout from which you’ll already be able to spot ‘the elephants’.
See our Elephant Rocks guide for full details on visiting this incredible place.
Incredible Beaches
Beyond the most famous destinations, William Bay is full of beautiful beaches worth exploring:
- Madfish Bay – Incredible turquoise water and soft white sand. A sandbar sometimes links to a rocky island where waves meet in two directions. Quieter and just around the corner from Greens Pool, but less safe for swimming.
- Waterfall Beach – Next door to Madfish. In winter and spring, a waterfall tumbles over the rocks onto the sand. Not as sheltered as some of the other beaches in the area, but great for a walk or fishing.
- Mazzoletti Beach – A 7 km stretch between Greens Pool and Parry Beach. A walk here is a great way to see the coastline.
- Lights Beach – Located on the park’s eastern end and made up of 3 separate beaches: Eastern Beach, the main Lights Beach, and Western Beach. It connects with the Bibbulmun Track, but the wild surf makes it unsafe for swimming.
- Parry Beach & Inlet – A huge sandy beach at the western end, with a much-loved volunteer-run campground shaded by peppermint trees. Just behind the beach is Parry Inlet, a shallow estuary separated from the ocean by a sandbar.
Walks in William Bay National Park
William Bay National Park has both the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail running through it, meaning there are some amazing hikes and forest trails to add to your itinerary!
Here are some of the top walks in the area:
Tower Hill Walk
Distance: Estimated 3km, but over 100m altitude gain in a short distance on soft sand. This is not an easy walk!
If you are looking for a steep climb and are rewarded with spectacular views, consider the Tower Hill Walk. As it’s part of the Bibbulmun Track, there are many places you could start the walk, but most start at the Greens Pool car park. For a longer trek, you could opt to start at Parry’s campground.
At the top, you can see views across William Bay towards Mazzoletti Beach and Parry’s Beach in the distance. Remember to wear a hat and adequate sun protection.
Also, take lots of water and be aware that snakes are on the trail during spring and summer. This walk will take several hours and is described as strenuous.
William Bay Circuit
Distance: 11 km loop (4–5 hours)
In planning our next trip, we discovered the William Bay Circuit described on a blog page. We have not done this trail, but it sounds GREAT!
It starts at Waterfall Beach and follows the Munda Biddi Trail before joining the Bibbulmun Trail near the Tower Hill granite rocks. Then, from Tower Hill, the trail descends to Mazzoletti Beach.
Here, you leave the Bibbulmun Track and return along the beach via Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. Then, you do more rock scrambling to arrive back at Waterfall Beach via Madfish Bay.
If you like walking, this is the best overview of the entire William Bay National Park! Do your own research. We have not done this, so you should make your own preparations!
William Bay Trail
Distance: 2.5 km one way
This shorter trail is a great one for seeing the park’s coastline. The trail stretches from Elephant Rocks and Waterfall Beach, and it’s well-marked.
You’ll see some of the incredible rock formations William Bay is famous for, sheltered coves and some stunning lookouts.
Paths here have been recently upgraded, so the ground isn’t uneven and the walk is relatively flat. The path connects well with side tracks, so you can easily scramble down to Madfish Bay.
Lights Beach to Waterfall Beach
Distance: 6 km return (2–3 hours)
This section of the coast is particularly beautiful, and you’ll encounter fewer people than you would on the other trails. This trail is 100% a hidden gem – a beautiful section of coast known for its incredible cliffs, wild waves and secluded beaches. Enjoy views of the Southern Ocean and the wilderness.
Wildflowers at William Bay National Park
Spring (Sept–Nov) is peak wildflower season for wildflowers in this area, although this part of the coast is actually great for spotting wildflowers all year round, even in the hottest weather, as coastal plants bloom all year round. Look for orchids, banksias, and sticky tailflowers along the trails.
A good idea is to stop at the Denmark Visitor Centre and ask about local wildflower guides and tours. See also our WA wildflowers guide. You’ll be able to spot species such as the sticky taillflower on the rocky coastline.
William Bay National Park Camping + Other Accommodation Options
There is no official camping at William Bay National Park, but there are many options nearby. We’ve written a full guide to places to stay near Greens Pool in our Greens Pool guide.
William Bay Cottages
Location: 65 Rice Rd, Denmark
Our top recommended option closest to William Bay National Park is William Bay Cottages. Just a 5-minute drive from Greens Pool/Elephant Rocks and a 20-minute walk to Mazzoletti Beach, these 1-3 bedroom self-contained cottages are cosy and beautifully built, offering options for couples or families (some even feature a spa for a real treat).
They offer seclusion and a chance to have a break from busy lives. Kids will love the farm animals, and there’s even a games room!
View prices and availability for your dates here >>>
Staying in Denmark, Walpole and Albany
Denmark is the most popular base for exploring William Bay National Park. Just 10-15 minutes away, there are so many accommodation options. There are chalets/eco-lodges, farmstays and caravan parks. Make sure you read our complete guide to Denmark accommodation for the lowdown.
Walpole and Albany are also popular bases for day-trippers to William Bay National Park. Walpole, just 45 mins away, offers access to giant tingle trees and forest-based activities. Read our guide to the top things to do in Walpole and Walpole accommodation for more details.
Albany is 40 minutes east of William Bay. It’s one of the region’s biggest towns and particularly popular with families. We’ve covered the best things to do in Albany and rounded up the top Albany family accommodation options to make planning easier.
Where to Eat Nearby
Denmark has some of the best food in Western Australia. Make sure you try some of the organic, fresh, Great Southern produce! We’ve written a full guide to Denmark restaurants. We’ve also listed our top food spots in the William Bay National Park area in our Greens Pool guide.
Visiting With Kids
William Bay is an ideal destination to visit with kids. Greens Pool is fantastic, with calm, shallow waters and sheltered swimming. Nearby Elephant Rocks is also perfect for kids to scramble over, explore the tidal pools and spot sea creatures (keep a close eye on the granite rocks as they can be slippery).
The beaches are also some of the best on the South Coast for kids. Parry Beach and its campground are popular with families, and it’s a great base for beach walks and fishing. Madfish Bay is also popular for exploring the rockpools (although not swimming as the waves meet in 2 directions).
I would avoid Mazzoletti Beach due to its rough seas, and also note that Lights Beach is beautiful but not safe for swimming.
Whatever you decide to do in William Bay National park will be absolutely stunning and the kids will enjoy it (though maybe not the Tower Hill walk which is a bit of a tough slog!)
Map of the Top Things to do in William Bay National Park, Western Australia
Final Words: William Bay National Park
William Bay National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Western Australia – a perfect mix of family-friendly swimming, wild Southern Ocean views, and hiking trails. Whether you’re here for a quick swim at Greens Pool or a day of exploring beaches and walks, this free national park is a must-visit on any Denmark trip.
For more things to do in the area, or if you’re considering a stay in more than one place, make sure you read our Albany to Denmark and Walpole to Albany road trip guides.
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