The new Shark Bay Interpretative Centre is a stunning
introduction to the wonders of Australia's Shark Bay

The Centre's state of the art displays include sound scapes, historic and contemporary film footage, interactive multimedia presentations plus objects of rare scientific and historic significance.

Arranged in themes such as '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.

Visitors can also experience the natural wonders, world heritage listing, adventure and historic treasures of Dutch, English and French explorers from as early as 1616.

The new 8 million dollar centre celebrates Shark Bay’s biodiversity of ecosystems 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 and boasts 10% of the world dugong population including dolphins, whales, manta rays, turtles, sharks, fish species and rare marsupials.

The region was discovered on the 25th October 1616 by Dutch East Indies Captain Dirk Hartog (Dirk Hartog Island is named in his honour) and subsequently named Shark Bay by English Captain and buccaneer William Dampier in July 1699, seventy one years before Captain James Cook arrived on the shores of Botany Bay. The region is steeped in history with Dutch, French and British explorers leaving numerous place names along the coast. Ship wrecks including the Dutch ship "Zuytdorp" which was lost in 1712.

The Shark Bay Interpretive Centre brings together a unique collection of historic treasures, marine, terrestrial, cultural, pearling and aboriginal heritage combined with today’s interactive technology to deliver an inspiring and enjoyable experience for every visitor.

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Shark Bay Interpretive Centre
Knight Terrace, Denham 6537 Western Australia
Enquiries and bookings phone (08) 9948 1588