Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitors Centre

 
Showcasing internationally inspired collections with today's interactive technology, the Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre is a 'must see' on any travellers itinerary. Here you can discover the 'real' Shark Bay, full of natural wonders, world heritage, adventure and historic treasures of Dutch, English and French explorers from as early as 1616.

The Centre celebrates Shark Bay's bio-diversity of eco-systems and explores the area's World Heritage listing, natural landscape, bays, islands, lagoons, marine and terrestrial landforms and animals. Shark Bay is one of only 16 sites worldwide that satisfy all four criteria for World Heritage listing, boasts 10% of the world dugong population, and is home to dolphins, whales, manta rays, turtles, sharks, fish species and rare marsupials.

The Centre utilises artefacts, specimens, models, Photo Galleries, illustrations, dioramas and electronic media to introduce visitors to all the major features of Shark Bay, Indigenous and European culture, maritime and pastoral history, the flora and fauna of the region and much more. Exhibits include some of the very interesting and colourful stories of the residents of Shark Bay; interviews with scientists and CALM officers; a timeline dating back from 1616 to the present, displaying an old map that Captain Dirk Hartog and William Dampier illustrated while on voyage around our bays; and artefacts from the Zuytdorp ship wreck lost in 1712.

The centre is arranged in three galleries: Living Place, Mapping Place and Experiencing Place . The displays take you on a most amazing journey around Shark Bay and across time, in company and conversation with those who have been part of this extraordinary place.

The Rose de Freycinet Gallery
This gallery houses an everchanging range of local and travelling exhibitions in a large, dramatically lit temporary exhibition space. Be sure to check our "Whats on" section to see what is in this galley at the time of your visit.