The Best Small Town In Western Australia For A 3-Day Weekend
Western Australia is the largest state in the country. Consisting of one-third of the continent, most of its climate is desert. However, along its coastline, you can find delightful small towns that offer beautiful beaches, unique landscapes, and luxurious accommodations, such as Denmark, Australia, which is one of the best places for a 3-day weekend.
This quirky town sits next to some of Australia's most unspoiled natural places, from rocks shaped like a herd of elephants to a tucked-away cove with green waters. While much of Australia was settled by convicts, Denmark has had a more peaceful history, first as a timber town, then a dairy town, and lastly a big getaway for travellers from around the world. Here you can find walkable shopping districts, varied cuisines, and an awe-inspiring walking trail through ancient trees.
Read on to see why Denmark is the best small town in Western Australia for a 3-day weekend.
History
Although it shares the same name as the Scandinavian country, Denmark was actually named after a British naval surgeon, Alexander Denmark, while the British were exploring the Denmark River in 1829. The Aboriginal Australians called this land Kwoorabup, translated to English as "place of the black wallaby."
Denmark was first incorporated in 1895 when C & E Millar purchased the land for clearing out timber. Timber mills sprang up in Denmark, which quickly led to deforestation. Within a decade, the timber industry would collapse. Despite some efforts to create a dairy industry here, Denmark would not see brighter days until World War II, when American soldiers stationed in the country came to visit and popularized the region as a vacation spot.
Today, the best way to learn about Denmark's history is to visit the buildings still standing from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. One such place is the Denmark Historical Museum. This museum is housed within the 1923 Police Station, which operated until 1985. Here in the museum, one can find many interesting artifacts, from prisoner memorabilia, telegraph equipment, farming tools, blacksmithing equipment, World War 1 era clothing, and many photographs of how the town has changed over the years. There is also a great deal of information about the Group Settlement Scheme, which was designed in the 1920s to bring in many immigrants from the U.K. to Denmark, Australia, to set up a dairy industry.
One of the oldest buildings in Denmark is still standing: St Leonard's Anglican Church. Constructed in 1899 as a place of worship for the timber workers. It has a more rustic feel and was constructed largely by Norwegian laborers who designed it with a steeply pitched roof and pine lining. Its floor is roughly hewn wood, befitting a timber town church.
One of its historic structures is still in use: the Denmark Hotel. Built in 1926 to accommodate visitors, today it serves as a hotel, meeting place, and shop. Visitors can try out local wines and beers by going to the Denmark Drops store in the hotel or grab a bite to eat at the Denmark Hotel Bar & Bistro.
Outdoor
With its coastline, forests, and town trails, Denmark is a great destination for anyone looking for outdoor adventure during a 3-day weekend getaway. In town, there's the Mokare Heritage Trail, a 3-kilometer (1.86-mile) walk by the Denmark River, taking you by karri trees, bushland, and a few of Denmark's historic places like St. Leonard's Anglican Church.
West of Denmark is the magnificent William Bay National Park. This coastal park has what is widely regarded to be the best beach in Australia: Greens Pool. Rock boulders create a cove that prevents the ocean waves from reaching it, which makes it a very safe place to go swimming. It's called Greens Pool due to its turquoise waters.
The other impressive feature in William Bay National Park is the Elephant Rocks. These oval-shaped rocks were formed by the ocean water, but they look like a herd of elephants walking side by side. Nearby to these rocks, go climbing in Elephant's Cove for beautiful ocean views!
Another fun outdoor experience is at the Valley of the Giants and Wilderness Discovery Centre. It gets its name from its ancient tingle trees. By going on the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk, you walk through these majestic trees on steel trusses and catch a glimpse of Mount Frankland. The Wilderness Discovery Center provides displays and exhibits to teach you about these natural marvels.
Commercial spots
There are two walkable shopping streets in Denmark, each with all the local shops you could ever want. For basic needs or gifts, there's the Denmark Department Store with sports gear, souvenirs, clothing, and other items. Didi's Boutique has been in business for more than 25 years and has both men's and women's clothing and accessories.
For those who want to take home a piece of local art, there's the Riverfront Gallery. It displays acrylics, oils, watercolors, and textiles for sale, many of them directly inspired by the landscapes and people of Denmark.
As far as restaurants go, Denmark has the best of both worlds. It has luxurious fine dining spots like Flame Trees, designed to evoke the 1920s with cocktails, wine, and Mediterranean-style tapas, and the Lake House, with fruits and vegetables grown from its own garden.
If you're looking for a cheaper, family-friendly place to eat, go to the Good Food Factory on the way to the Valley of Giants. It has a play area for kids, along with burgers and ice cream. In town, Massimo's Place serves up all sorts of pizza on its back deck.
Accomodations
As mentioned above, the Denmark Hotel is a great place to stay. The Lodge, as it is known, is the highest-rated hotel in the area. However, Denmark has plenty of accommodation options for those looking for a good B&B or getaway.
The Windrose B&B is just a few miles away from Denmark, right next to Ocean Beach. Each of its rooms reflects one aspect of Denmark's landscapes, from the Ocean to the Mountain, Forest, and Desert.
Lastly, you can stay at a serene retreat center at Aiyana Retreat, which is designed with stained glass windows and mosaics and sits in the heart of bushland. There are several spa treatments to try out here to unwind and relax.
Despite the deforestation in Denmark's history, it is a remarkably unspoiled place. It has a bustling local shopping and food scene with boutiques, 1920s-style restaurants, and more basic fare. It also sits within one of the most picturesque places in Australia, with rocks creating coves protected from the waves of the Great Southern Ocean.
If you're traveling with kids, Denmark is a very kid-friendly place with kids' play areas at restaurants, safe beaches, and fun adventures through the trees. If you're traveling in Western Australia, consider booking your 3-day weekend stay in Denmark.
