Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Shire of Denmark were the Noongar Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement of the Shire dates from the 1840s, with land used mainly for cattle grazing. Population was minimal until 1895, when a timber mill was established in Denmark to create timber sleepers for the railway lines from Perth to Albany and Fremantle. Land then became used more for agriculture, particularly fruit and vegetable growing. The timber mill ceased operations in 1905, with subsequent timber mills operating from 1950 to 1976, and 1966 to 1992. The population of the Shire was relatively stable between the 1940s and the early 1970s, at about 1,800 people. The population increased from the 1980s, rising to about 2,100 in 1981, then to about 3,200 in 1991, and continuing to increase to about 5,000 in 2011.

Land use

The Shire of Denmark is a predominantly rural area, with a small township at Denmark, and villages at Nornalup and Peaceful Bay. Land is used largely for agriculture and viticulture, with fishing and tourism also being important industries. The Shire encompasses a total land area of about 1,860 square kilometres.

Transport

The Shire of Denmark is served by the South Coast Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the Shire include Mount Frankland National Park,
• Mount Lindesay National Park,
• Mount Roe National Park,
• Walpole-Nornalup National Park,
• William Bay National Park,
• Walpole Wilderness Area,
• Irwin Inlet,
• Wilson Inlet,
• Quickip Dam,
• Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk,
• numerous wineries,
• Denmark Animal Farm & Pentland Alpaca Stud,
• Denmark Chocolate Company,
• The Toffee Factory,
• Dinosaur World,
• Denmark Thrills Adventure Park,
• various beaches,
• Madfish Bay,
• Elephant Rocks,
• Greens Pool,
• Boat Harbour,
• Denmark Hospital and Health Service,
• South Regional TAFE (Denmark Campus),
• Western Australian College of Agriculture (College Farm),
• Denmark Country Club,
• Denmark Historical Museum,
• The Denmark River,
• The Frankland River and the Kordabup River.

Included areas