DBCA is in the process of improving all season’s vehicle access at the Wedge and Grey Reserves for both 2-WD and 4-WD, however beaches should only ever be accessed by 4-WD or All Wheel Drive vehicles. Unlicensed vehicles and trailers are not permitted within the Wedge and Grey reserves without DBCA approval.

South Wedge Beach

South Wedge Beach is accessed from Indian Ocean Drive along the bituminised Wedge Road. Wedge Road takes visitors to within 250 metres of South Wedge Beach which is well known for good surfing conditions. An unsealed track (Surf Track) leading south off the bitumen terminus allows visitors to drive to within 75 metres walking distance of South Wedge Beach. South Wedge Beach can also be accessed by 4-WD and All Wheel Drive vehicles along the beach after accessing North Wedge Beach through the Cut-In.

North Wedge Beach

North Wedge Beach is accessed from Indian Ocean Drive along the bituminised Wedge Road and is well known for its clear turquoise waters and white sand. An unsealed track (Beach Track) leading west of the bitumen terminus provides access to North Wedge Beach via the Cut-in (an opening in the dunes). It is recommended that the beach is only accessed by 4WD or all-wheel drive vehicles. Visitors in 2WD vehicles can travel to within about 100m of the beach. DBCA is in the process of improving Beach Track.

Wanagarren Nature Reserve (Wedge)

Wanagarren Nature Reserve surrounds the Wedge Reserve on all sides. Generally, the nature reserve is only accessible to 4-WD and All Wheel Drive vehicles. However, the edge of the northern dunes of Wanagarren Nature Reserve are accessible to 2-WD vehicles by following the unsealed North-South Track off the Beach Track (first right turn). Visitors to Wanagarren dunes are reminded that dogs are not permitted in Western Australia’s nature reserves and camping is not permitted outside DBCA designated camp sites.

DBCA’s Wanagarren camp sites can be accessed from North Wedge Beach by 4-WD and All Wheel Drive vehicles only.

Grey Lagoon

Grey Lagoon is accessed from Indian Ocean Drive along the bituminised Grey Spur Road. Grey Spur Road takes visitors to within 250 metres of Grey Lagoon. An unsealed track (Grey Lagoon Track) leading north west of the bitumen terminus allows visitors to drive to the edge of the lagoon which forms part of the Grey Sanctuary Zone of the Jurien Bay Marine Park.

North Grey Beach

North Grey Beach is accessed from Grey Lagoon by following an unsealed track north (North Track). 2-WD vehicles can park within 20 metres of the beach, while 4-WD and All Wheel Drive vehicles can access the beach. North Grey Beach is best known for swimming and fishing. DBCA is in the process of introducing camp sites adjacent North Grey Beach over the next two years to allow you to extend your stay.

Wanagarren Nature Reserve/Nambung National Park (Grey)

Nambung National Park surrounds Grey Reserve on all sides. The National Park is not accessible from Grey except to travel to the Wanagarren Nature Reserve camp sites.

DBCA’s Wanagarren camp sites can be accessed off Grey Spur Road by 4-WD and All Wheel Drive vehicles only.

Yued Aboriginal people are the Traditional Owners of the Wedge and Grey reserves. Wedge reserve is considered one of the most important Aboriginal heritage sites in south-western Australia as it forms part of traditional Aboriginal song-lines referred to as Ngumbling, Ngambany, and Namban that extend from Cervantes to Yanchep. Namban is the place Yued people held lore business. Wedge is referred to as Wetj Boya and both Wedge and Grey reserves are well known to Yued people as having freshwater wells and springs. All Aboriginal heritage sites are protected by the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 and visitors to the sites must pay all due respect when entering a site by not touching loose objects or disturbing the ground.

More than 3,000 squatter shacks were built on Crown land in Western Australia during the post war period where government control was non-existent due to the isolated nature of the land. Thousands of shacks were removed in the 1990s and early 2000s because of the Western Australia government implementing the ‘Illegal Occupation of Coastal Crown Land (Squatter) Policy’ (1989) and the revised ‘Illegal Occupation of Coast Crown Land (Squatters) (1999). The nearly 400 remaining privately owned shacks at Wedge and Grey are a remnant example of a shack culture that existed in Western Australia for over six decades.

Shacks at Wedge and Grey reserves are permitted under licence issued by DBCA. Licensees are required to adhere to Licence Conditions that do not allow them to make structural improvements or changes to their shacks or associated outbuildings that would require a building permit. As a result, many of the shacks remain as they were built presenting an interesting and sometimes innovative ramshackle arrangement of structures and materials.

Visitors are not permitted to enter a shack or other structure without an invitation from a licensee. However, visitors do have free access to all other areas of the Wedge and Grey reserves and can enjoy the ambience of the shack area by driving or walking through. No camping is permitted unless the camper is invited by a licensee to use their shack while camping.

The Western Australian Government authorises DBCA to issue licences to shack owners under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. A new licence term began on 1 March 2023 and will extend for five years, with an option of a three year extension.

Licensees are required to adhere to licence conditions.