Hearson's Cove

When the full moon rises over Hearson’s Cove between May and October, this is one of the few places on Earth where you can witness the natural phenomenon known as the Staircase to the Moon. It’s also a great swimming, fishing and picnic spot, and just a short drive from one of the richest prehistoric art collections in the world – Murujuga National Park. This sheltered bay is located on the Burrup Peninsula, a 12-minute drive north-east of Dampier, or a 25-minute drive from Karratha, and the well-maintained gravel road is suitable for two-wheel drives. From Perth, you can get to the region in just 2 hours by air, 16 hours via the North-West Coastal Highway, or take the longer scenic route on the Warlu Way – a 2,480-kilometre drive through the Pilbara and Kimberley revealing the mysteries of the Warlu and other Aboriginal legends. As the sun sets, explore the tidal flats of Hearson’s Cove in search of marine and bird life, and as the full moon rises over the exposed mudflats, sit and watch the incredible optical illusion of a staircase reaching to the moon.