Deserted mines, a disused railway line and convict ruins stand testament to the hardships and varied fortunes of its pioneering ancestors. The town of Northampton was awarded historical town status by the National Trust of Australia.in 1993. This ideally situated town is one of Western Australia's most popular holiday resorts, famous for its fishing as well as its beautiful scenery. Sited where the Murchison River flows into the Indian Ocean, it has the benefits of the calm waters of the estuary for swimming and water skiing. The river mouth is kept open to allow access for fishing and pleasure boats.
Anglers can enjoy rod, deep sea and estuary fishing.
Denham-Shark Bay One of the amazing natural wonders of the world is to be found at Shark Bay World Heritage and Marine Park. The friendly dolphins of Monkey Mia have put Shark Bay on the map as a holiday destination. The Shark Bay World Heritage area is home to one of the World's last surviving great herds of Dugong. They, along with whales, turtles, manta rays and large sharks are regularly sighted when cruising Shark Bay's seagrass banks and sheltered inlets. Shark Bay supports a varied and prolific bird population, from the giant Wedge-Tail Eagle to the Dirk Hartog Island Wren, making the bay a bird watchers dream.