Two Peoples Bay and beaches to the east of Albany

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is unique that not just one, but two fauna species previously thought to be extinct were discovered here. Together with being a habitat for a number of other endangered species, this nature reserve is of international significance.

From Oyster Harbour east, there are a series of National Parks and Nature Reserves with only a few breaks. Commencing at the heads of Oyster Harbour, the east head is part of the Mount Martin Nature Reserve, which adjoins the Gull Rock National Park. Divided by Nanarup Beach and the Taylor Inlet, the corridor continues with the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, parts of which are not accessible by the public to protect the habitats of the endangered species in this reserve. After a break the next wildlife corridor has Waychinicup National Park (west and east sections) joined by the Mount Manypeaks Nature Reserve . These are also important habitats for a number of endangered species.

Ledge Beach and Ledge Point are in the Gull Rock National Park, one of the newest parks in Western Australia, being declared in 2006, and camping is no longer permitted.

Nanarup Beach is at the Taylor Inlet, an inlet closed by a sandbar.

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve

Why the intriguing name Two Peoples Bay? It was named Two Peoples Bay back in February 1803 when Captain Nicholas Baudin of the French ship Géographe met American Captain Isaiah Pendleton of the American ship Union.

An informative visitor centre at Two Peoples Bay has displays about the re-discovery of the noisy scrub bird and Gilberts Potoroo, other wildlife and recovery programs for threatened species.

Gilberts Potoroo was rediscovered at Mount Gardner in 1994 after having been thought extinct as the last recorded sighting was 115 years earlier. An underground fungi found in the Mount Gardner area is important in the diet of the potoroo.

After no recorded sightings for 72 years, the Noisy Scrub-bird was presumed extinct until 1961 when a small population was discovered at Mount Gardner. The Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve was established in 1967. Despite successful relocations, the Noisy Scrub-bird remains one of Australia's rarest birds.

Other mammals which are considered endangered that inhabit the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Waychincup National Park and the Mount Manypeaks Nature Reserve are Southern Brown Bandicoot (Quenda), Honey Possum, Western Pygmy Possum, Western Ringtail Possum, and Quokkas. Australian Sea Lion and the New Zealand Fur Seal also visit the coastline.

Other threatened birds inhabiting the park are the Western Ground Parrot, and Australasian Bittern. Three threatened species of cockatoo (Baudin’s, Carnaby’s and forest red-tailed black cockatoo) also use habitats in the reserve.

There are also endemic and threatened flora species within this unique park.

Little Beach is known as one of the most beautiful beaches on the south west coast, with turquoise water and white sand against a backdrop of hills with rocks striated with colour.














East Bay, Bettys and Normans Beaches

At the northern end of Two Peoples Bay, three beaches are accessed from Homestead Road, which turns south from Hassell Highway approximately eight kilometres west of Manypeaks townsite. These roads are unsealed.














East Bay is approximately eight kilometres from the Hassell Highway via Homestead, Bettys Beach and East Bay roads, and is near the freshwater Lake Angove.














Bettys Beach is at the only a few kilometres to the east of East Bay and is the site of a seasonal fishing village on a sheltered bay.














Normans Beach is accessed from Homestead Road and Normans Beach Road at the enclosed from the sea estuary of the Norman River.

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