Shell Beach

This unique stretch of beach is approximately 110km long, with the shells 8-10 metres deep. The wind and high temperatures around here produce a high evaporation of water, and as tidal action is unable to completely flush out the bay, this results in increased salinity. Some shellfishes, such as the small white bivalve Fragum Erugatum, can handle this high salt level; others, such as it's predators, cannot. This means that these shallow bay areas are perfect breeding grounds for millions of the shells.

Many of the buildings in Denham have been built from shell blocks cut from the local quarry. These shell blocks are a natural phenomenon discovered 70 years ago by the pioneers of the area. They make ideal building material as they are cheap and have very good insulation qualities. They were cut oversize with a chainsaw, transported to the building site and trimmed to the size required. The quarry is now used only to repair existing buildings or for special projects.