Dirk Hartog Island Lodge & Homestead Campground - WA

The Dirk Hartog Island Lodge operates from the site of the old homestead and offers private lodge accommodation and a beachfront unpowered campground, with a funky new beachfront bar, gift shop and free kayaks and stand up paddle boards available for guests to use.

The commercial barge service to the island is also operated by the lodge owners. Showers, flushing toilets, kitchen. Fuel from pumps also available. Campfires in fire pits. No bins. No power.

Advance bookings required. See website.

HOMESTEAD HISTORY
In 1867, Francis Louis von Bibra applied for a pastoral lease on the island to farm sheep. In early 1869 the lease was granted and the first sheep were transported to Dirk Hartog Island. A homestead was built in 1869, along with a 5-stand shearing shed and a 5-bedroom shearing quarters.

In 1968, the government decided to sell the island’s pastoral leasehold land to the highest bidder which was former Perth Mayor Sir Thomas Wardle. Dirk Hartog Island became a private retreat for Sir Thomas and Lady Wardle. The number of sheep was reduced to 6,000 and the top half of the island was shut down.

In 1993 Kieran Wardle, the grandson of Sir Thomas Wardle, took over the island and began a new page in the island’s history – tourism.

Dirk Hartog Island has always been known for its amazing scenery and fishing locations but it wasn’t until Kieran and his wife Tory took a few people over that they had the opportunity to experience the island first-hand.

Over the years Kieran and Tory have managed to turn Dirk Hartog Island into one of Australia’s premier eco-tourism destinations.