Whaling Station (Ruins) - WA

The Norwegian Bay Whaling Station ruins are located at the remote Norwegian Bay and are a dominant landmark on the site, visible from the ocean and the dune ridge on the mainland. The station was probably the most successful bay whaling station to ever operate in WA when it operated from 1915 to 1957. Its success led to the establishment of several other shore stations around Australia. The whaling station is important for its association with Norwegian and other Scandinavian whaling men, three of whom are buried in the dunes near the site.

If you go into the whaling station and are very experienced with driving in sand and have a well setup 4WD then you can continue southwards from the whaling station into the sand dunes. Keep within 1km of the coast line whilst in the dunes and you will pick up a track that takes you back to the Yardie creek-Ningaloo station main road. If you come to the channel markers on the hill then you are about 1km too far, go back and take the nearest track inland. It's much quicker leaving the whaling station this way, rather than doubling back and going out the way you came in from the North. BE WARNED - this route is not often travelled, go in convoy and walk ahead in the dunes if at all unsure. It's a great adventure though and well worth it if you can.