UNESCO World Heritage Listing

Cape Inscription Lighthouse on Dirk Hartog Island marks the entrance into Naturaliste Channel and Shark Bay. Situated at the northern end of the island, the lighthouse is 15 metre high concrete tower. Also built in 1908 was the lighthouse keepers quarters, storehouse, stables and an oil store. The powerful lantern was first lit on the 1st of March 1910.

The coastline of Shark Bay is a gorgeous blend of stunning beaches and rocky cliffs and outcrops like this one. The ferocity of the prevailing winds and the smashing of the waves erodes the rocky cliff faces leaving with amazing characteristics that only nature can create.

Francois Peron National Park is at top end on the central peninsula of Shark Bay World Heritage Area. It is ruggedly beautiful with stunning colour contrasts and complex landscapes. A 4 wheel drive is needed to enjoy this natural phenomenon.

Francois Peron National Park is known as Wulyibidi to the local Malgana people. Gregories and South Gregories are stunning beaches for fishing, paddling and provides great fishing and camping so you can enjoy this amazing area a little longer than just a day trip.

Big Lagoon within the Francois Peron National Park is a land of ever changing colours. The rich sapphire blue of the water transitions to icy turquoise in the shallows. The rich red of the soil transitions to deep burnt umber, the sand of the beaches and the birridas from white to rich decadent creamy gold.

Steep point is the farthest western point of Australia. From here the next land you touch is south Africa. This is a powerful and thrilling landscape, with the roar power of the ocean and the rustic character carved out of the rocky cliff. This is a place that will have you spell bound.

Whalebone, is a bay situated on the Shark Bay road as you are driving into the area. It is a beautiful place to call in or camp for the night. Take a dip in the azure clear waters and be refreshed, renewed and feel the peace and tranquillity.

The waters within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area is teaming with life. It is a veritable underwater paradise. The beauty of the area is that you can enjoy from below the waves or from on top of the water in a kayak, stand-up board or with a snorkel or scuba.

Some of the oldest living organisms on Earth are the Stromatolites of Hamelin Pool. These microbial living fossils are sensitive and will die when trodden on. You can see the stromatolites on an Eco Tour. Unfortunately, cyclones destroyed the boardwalk erected for visitors to wander out and view this amazing feature of nature.

Tiger Sharks are common in Shark Bay. Seagrass habitat is a fruitful ecosystem for predators. Shark Bay World Heritage area has the largest and richest sea-grass beds in the world. With local volunteers replanting acres of seagrass beds that get destroyed by weather events such as heat waves.

Safety in numbers...unless your hungry and get snagged on a line. These Spotted Trevally look amazing when swimming in the sunlight in a school. Shark Bay is a major recreational fishing hot spot.

Monkey Mia has seen many calves born in the area. It is always a delight for visitors to see the new born and how attentive the mothers are.

Humpback whales are annual visitors to the Shark Bay area. We see them heading north and then with their new born young on their way back south. Humpback numbers are slowly increasing after almost being wiped out during the whaling days of the 1800's and early 1900's.

These amazing creatures are prevalent in the Shark Bay seagrass meadows. Shark Bay has one third of the Dugongs of the world. There are a few cruises and boat tours you can enjoy seeing these elusive creatures on.

The majestic Manta Ray glides along the current in the waters of Shark Bay World Heritage Area. They can be found all year round. If your lucky you may get to see one fly. Photo by Nick Thake Marine Life

Shark Bay is famous for our friendly Emu's. You can often see them wandering around the town, debugging and weeding residents lawns or taking a dip at the beach. With Emu young, once the female has laid the eggs, she leaves the nest to leave Dad to look after the young. Often you will see the males with a couple of mobs of chicks.

the Shark Bay Bandicoot is the smallest species of bandicoot and is also known as the marl. They are identifiable by their long tampered snout and short tail, with erect ears. Once common in the southern arid regions of WA they became extinct on the mainland in the 1940's with the only colonies on Bernier and Dorre Islands in Shark Bay. Through rigorous breading programs some have been translocated to other feral free sites such as Faure Island and will be reintroduced to Dirk Hartog Island. as part of the Department of Biosecurity, Conservations and Attractions Return to 1616 project.

Rufous Hare Wallaby also known as Mala, is a small marsupial with reddish orange fur. They weigh in at 1.6 - 1.7kg. The Mala was widespread throughout Western Australia with the last mainland populations wiped out by 1991 predominantly by feral animals. Wild populations remain on Bernier and Dorre Islands and some have been translocated to Trimourille Island. They will also be introduced to Dirk Hartog Island as part of the Department of Biosecurity, Conservation and Attractions return to 1616 project.

Thorny Devil - Moloch horridus These cute little critters like arid areas and are often seen sunning themselves in the middle of dirt roads. So please keep watch and avoid them if you can. They are a slow moving ant eaters and can grow to up to 20cm long.

This map marks out the UNESCO World Heritage Area of Shark Bay.

Please come and visit Shark Bay and see the amazingly unique landscapes, colours and our precious animals that makes this one of the few areas worthy of being World Heritage listed . You will be amazed!