Denham, AU 🇦🇺 Closed Airport
ICAO
AU-0478
IATA
-
Elevation
- ft
Region
AU-WA
Local Time
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: -26.047217° N, 113.609533° E
Continent: Oceania
Type: Closed Airport
Help fellow travelers by sharing your experience at Original Shark Bay Airport. Tips are reviewed before publishing.
Traveler sentiment regarding Shark Bay Airport (also known as Monkey Mia Airport or MJK), which serves Denham, AU, is overwhelmingly positive. Travelers frequently describe it as a convenient and user-friendly gateway to the Shark Bay World Heritage region, appreciating its accessibility and role in facilitating exploration of the area's natural wonders.
Overall, Shark Bay Airport offers a straightforward and pleasant entry point to Western Australia's Shark Bay region. While public transport options are scarce, the airport's efficiency, cleanliness, and proximity to major attractions contribute to a largely positive traveler experience, especially for those who arrange their own transportation.
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Loading weather data...
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
07/25 |
3116 ft | - ft | Gravel/Dirt | Active |
05/23 |
2461 ft | - ft | Gravel/Dirt | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
Circa 1995. The exact date is not widely documented, but the closure coincided with the construction and opening of the new, modern Shark Bay Airport (YSHK/MJK) in the mid-1990s. The new airport was developed to handle larger aircraft and was operational by 1995.
Replacement and obsolescence. The former airstrip was closed because it was too small, had an unsealed gravel runway, and was located too close to the growing town of Denham, preventing any potential for expansion. The Western Australian government and the Shire of Shark Bay identified the need for a new, larger airport to support the region's burgeoning tourism industry, driven by its World Heritage status. The new airport was built to accommodate larger jet and turboprop aircraft (such as the Fokker 100 and BAe 146), which the old airstrip could not handle, thus enabling direct tourist flights from major cities like Perth.
The site of the former airport has been completely redeveloped and integrated into the town of Denham. The land where the runway once lay is now occupied by a residential suburb. Key features in the area include Hartog Crescent (a road that appears to follow the old runway's alignment), the Shark Bay School, the Shark Bay Recreation Centre, and numerous residential homes. There are no visible remnants of the airstrip itself, as the land has been fully repurposed for community and residential use.
For several decades, the former airstrip was the primary and often sole aviation link for the remote community of Denham and the wider Shark Bay region. It was a vital piece of infrastructure for:
- **Mail and Freight:** It handled essential mail and freight runs, operated by pioneering regional airlines like MacRobertson Miller Airlines (MMA).
- **Medical Services:** It was a critical landing ground for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), providing emergency medical evacuations and clinic transport for the isolated population.
- **General Aviation:** The airstrip served light private and charter aircraft, connecting local pastoral stations, businesses, and residents to the rest of the state.
- **Early Tourism:** It supported the initial stages of tourism in the area, although its limited capacity was a major factor in the decision to build a new airport.
In essence, it was a classic Australian outback airstrip, essential for overcoming the 'tyranny of distance' before modern infrastructure was developed.
Zero. There are no plans or prospects for reopening the former airport. The site is now a developed part of the town, making a return to aviation use physically impossible without demolishing significant community infrastructure and housing. Furthermore, the region is now served by the modern and far more capable Shark Bay Airport (YSHK), which fulfills all of the area's current and foreseeable aviation needs.