Denmark is a charming town located on the banks of the beautiful Denmark River and surrounded by a striking natural backdrop of native woodland, green farmland and the rugged south coast. The area’s attractive scenery and serenity are a drawcard and inspiration for artists and culturally minded retirees, which has resulted in a thriving arts community. Creative and artistic expression is a defining trait of the community.
Guests can stroll local galleries and meet the makers of furniture, pottery, glass, sculptures, paintings and even jigsaws. A must-stop is the Butter Factory Studios, located in the character-filled Old Butter Factory. As well as being home to six artists working in a variety of media, the building is an open workspace and gallery, and often hosts life drawing sessions, workshops and exhibitions by guest artists.
Food and wine trails
You can easily spend a day (or two) sipping your way through the region’s cellar doors. Dotted throughout the picturesque hills behind the town you’ll find several boutique wineries producing superb semillon sauvignon blanc and bold shiraz, among other varieties.
Follow the routes of the early timber cutters on the 34-kilometre Scotsdale Tourist Drive or take the Mount Shadforth Scenic Drive. Both trails will provide plenty of photo opportunities and take you past several cellar doors and a range of gourmet food producers.
Top things to do around Denmark:
- Explore West Cape Howe, Western Australia’s most southerly point. Extensive 4WD tracks traverse the national park and offer plenty of off-road adventure. There’s 2WD access to the stunning Shelley Beach.
- Visit the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Wander up to 40 metres high into the canopy of the tingle forests to get a birds-eye view of what’s below, while the Ancient Empire walk provides an excellent constructed boardwalk at ground level.
- Spend the day at Greens Pool within William Bay National Park. The sheltered, transparent water of the pool is beautiful on a clear day, making it a great place to swim or snorkel. Walk to the nearby Elephant Rocks, huge formations that rest in the water.
- Learn to surf at Ocean Beach, nominated as one of the top five beaches in Australia for learning. This beautiful stretch of white sand offers long, rolling waves for beginners.