Aborigines had inhabited the south coast for more than 40,000 years when, in 1829 Thomas Braidwood Wilson became the first European to explore the Denmark region, naming the local river (called 'Kurrabup' by the indigenous people) in honour of his friend, English naval surgeon Dr Alexander Denmark.

A timber industry established 65 years later lasted a mere decade, leaving in its wake only a few hardy settlers. The Group Settlement Scheme boosted the local economy and population after the First World War but the Depression marked yet another major downturn in the region. Following World War II improvements to agriculture rejuvenated the district and the population has grown at an average of 4% per year since the mid-1980s, supporting new settlers and innovative industries. The economy of the region is now based mainly on tourism and a range of farming and agricultural enterprises.

Denmark is the jewel of the south coast region: a thriving, diverse community that proudly proclaims its special place and unique environmental heritage.

Climate

Denmark has a mild Mediterranean climate with warm dry summers and cool wet winters.

July is the wettest month and January is the driest. The annual average total rainfall is 1000 millimetres. July on average has 23.3 days when some rain is recorded while January has only 7.5. The highest (in the years between 1951 and 1984) daily rainfall was 84 millimetres (in May) and the highest recorded monthly total was 292 (in August). The average daily hours of sunshine ranges from 4.2 in June to 8.3 in January.

The hottest month is January and the coldest is July. The highest temperature recorded (in the years between 1951 and 1984) was 43.9° Celsius and the coldest was -1.7° C. The average 9.00am. relative humidity varies from 69% in January to 84% in May, Jun and July. The average 9.00am. wind speed is surprisingly constant with a range throughout the year of 9.4 to 13.4 kilometres per hour.

Geography

Many of the modern geographic features of the south coast region owe their existence to the upheaval which started 120 million years ago, when Australia and Antarctica separated. As the sea moved into the widening gap, which started in the west, the south coast of Australia sagged and the Stirling Ranges were formed. The many, short, south-flowing rivers characteristic of the region are one result of this process.

The long period of erosion since the break-up of Gondwana has led to the current relatively flat landscape and the exposure of very old granite and gneiss rocks which contribute to the spectacular coastal scenery we see today. The inlets which are another characteristic of the south coast drainage systems were formed as a result of much more recent changes in sea level.

Rivers, oceans and forests

Denmark is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. There are two major and several minor rivers feeding into the much photographed and very beautiful Wilson Inlet which means canoes, kayaks, bicycles and horses come into their own as a means of exploring the area. The coast line varies from serene lagoons to spectacular surf crashing over majestic granite rocks. The beach sand is a brilliant white and lapped by a green and turquoise ocean. Windsurfers, surf-skis, sea kayaks and surf boards are a daily sight at many of the beaches.

Flora and fauna

The southwest of Western Australia is an internationally recognised region of biological diversity, in large part due to the very high number of endemic plants. For example, the region has around 10,000 species of flowering plants, many of which are found nowhere else. The local fungi have attracted a lot of interest in recent times, particularly in regard to their role in assisting other plants to obtain nutrients from the soil.

The Royal Australasian Ornitholigists Union have recorded around 160 species of birds in the Denmark region. The range of habitats found around Denmark contributes to this diversity, with ocean, inlets and rivers, forest, heathland, wetlands and farmland supporting representatives of all the major Australian avian groups.

Native mammals are generally not as numerous and conspicuous as the birds, but groups of kangaroos are a common sight grazing on the golf course within a few hundred metres of the Centre for Sustainable Living.

Things to do

A huge range of interests are catered for in and around Denmark. For the adventurous and active there are absailing, canoeing, yatching and boating, river cruises, horse riding, guided walks and tours, swimming, surfing, hang gliding, scuba diving and snorkelling and lots more. Western Australia's history is on show at the Albany and Denmark museums and Whaleworld.

You (or the kids) can indulge yourselves at the toffee factory, the meadery, the sandalwood factory, art and craft galleries and a range of vineyards, restaurants and fast food outlets. Tours can be arranged to look at acquaculture, agriculture, vigniculture, geology, biology, marine ecosystems, wetlands, wildlife sanctuaries and child-friendly farms.

Or for the ultimate in relaxation there are retreats offering yoga, meditation, massage and spa treatments.

Links to more local information

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