Tucked away on the south-west coast of Western Australia lies one of the country’s most beautiful ‘hidden gem‘ sights – and it has to be seen to be believed.
Elephant Rocks, a four to five-hour drive south of Perth in Denmark, boasts what many have dubbed ‘nature’s most inviting natural swimming pools‘ and they’re not wrong.
Elephant Rocks is one of the many beautiful natural attractions in William Bay National Park which was named after British Arctic explorer Sir William Edward Parry.
Its name comes from the massive rounded boulders which resemble a herd of elephants playing in the sparkling water; the granite domes are dotted along the Great Southern Ocean and surrounded by emerald waters.
Once there, travellers follow a narrow trail from William Bay Road before they reach a fork in the road directing them one of two ways to reach Elephant Rocks.
Tucked away on the south-west coast of Western Australia lies one of the country’s most beautiful ‘ hidden gem ‘ sights – and it has to be seen to be believed
Elephant Rocks, a four to five-hour drive south of Perth in Denmark, boasts what many have dubbed ‘nature’s most inviting natural swimming pools ‘ and they’re not wrong
The first leads to a scenic view from above. The left leads to a short set of stairs that lead to Elephant Cove.
Visitors can then descend the staircase and move between two towering rocks onto the beach, which looks straight out of a postcard.
Travellers are then encouraged to climb and wander through the ancient rocks and ‘bathe in the pristine waters’.
They can then take a walk over to the breathtaking Greens Pool, a picturesque spot that offers excellent swimming and snorkelling.
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Elephant Rocks is one of the many beautiful natural attractions in William Bay National Park which was named after British Arctic explorer, Sir William Edward Parry
The gorgeous walk along the stunning coastline rewards visitors with views of Madfish Bay, Waterfall Beach and wildflowers in spring and summer.
The pool was recently voted 4th place in the Top 10 Beaches in the South Pacific in Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards.
‘Such a stunning place. I could definitely see the resemblance to the elephants in the rocks. It is a beautiful walk down then you come across the loveliest views and you can also climb down and walk between the huge boulders for a swim in these amazing waters,’ a traveller raved.
‘This is nature at it best, beautiful and the walk was worth it. The rocks are big, and the sea blue and beautiful. Not even the wind could dampen the beauty. The nearby Green Pool is just as amazing.’
Its name comes from the massive rounded boulders which resemble a herd of elephants playing in the sparkling water
The nearby town of Denmark is known for its awe-inspiring beauty and offers a mild climate all year round.
Australia’s South West Chief Executive Officer, Catrin Allsop, said travellers’ increasing desire to experience something from the ‘every day or easily accessible’ has seen more visitors head to the region in recent months.
‘Being a small town tucked away in a corner of the Great Southern, the appeal to explore has driven strong visitation to places like Denmark that promises spectacular views, endless coastlines and heritage listed national parks,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘While fantastic to visit year round, the region bursts into colour in spring with the blooming of wildflowers you won’t find anywhere else in the world.’
The granite domes are dotted along the Great Southern Ocean and surrounded by emerald waters
Along the Denmark River visitors can take a heritage trail towards the river mouth, passing by the historic rail bridge and offering a serene view of the river merging with the Wilson Inlet.
The inlet is a sanctuary for black swans with Denmark known to the aboriginal community as ‘Koorabup’ which means ‘place of the black swan’.
It’s also renowned as one of the top nine ‘terrestrial’ habitats in the world – a term referring to an ecosytem (like a rainforest) found on land.
The pool was recently voted 4th place in the Top 10 Beaches in the South Pacific in Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards
The nearby town of Denmark is known for its awe-inspiring beauty and offers a mild climate all year round
It’s teeming with wildlife and flowers so the area has become a mecca for nature lovers seeking to immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural world.
For those who wish to stay, popular options are the nearby Denmark Hotel, 31 on the Terrace, the adults-only Chimes Spa Retreat and The Floating Forest.
Dining hot spots include The Dam – a gorgeous restaurant and distillery famous for its Mediterranean influence, The Lake House, which boasts a picturesque vineyard and the family-run Marron Farm.
‘There are also new businesses opening up like Flame Trees Denmark, a hot little tapas-style cocktail bar in town, as well as local hidden gems like Singlefile Wines with their premium wines and cellar wine tastings,’ Ms Allsop said.