What is the westernmost point of mainland Australia?
Steep Point in Western Australia is the westernmost point of mainland Australia. It sits on a remote headland at the edge of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
Steep Point is on the Edel Land peninsula, around 850 kilometres north of Perth. Reaching it requires a long four-wheel-drive journey over sandy tracks, and towering cliffs drop into the Indian Ocean.
The area is popular with experienced anglers, who fish from the cliffs for large species. A sign and visitors' book mark the spot, and campers stay at basic sites nearby.
Shark Bay
Shark Bay was listed as a World Heritage Area in 1991. It is famous for dolphins at Monkey Mia, huge seagrass meadows, dugongs and ancient stromatolites at Hamelin Pool. Dirk Hartog Island, just across a narrow channel, was where Dutch sailor Dirk Hartog landed in 1616.
Access to Steep Point requires a permit and careful driving, as soft sand and remote conditions mean help can be many hours away.
Did You Know?
Dirk Hartog left a pewter plate nailed to a post in 1616, the oldest known European artefact found in Australia.