Shark Bay has a rich and exciting history that dates back 30,000 years. Indigenous people belonging to the Malgana, Nhanda and Yingkarta language groups, seventeenth century explorers from France and Holland, traders and workers from England, Asia and the Pacific and tourists from all corners of the globe have all left their mark, with tales of discovery, shipwrecks, pearling, farming and naval disaster creating a fascinating cultural story. To discover more about Shark Bay's history visit the Shark Bay Discovery & Visitor Centre on Denham's Knight Terrace.

We would like to acknowledge the Malgana Peoples as the traditional custodians of the land and sea in and around the Shire of Shark Bay. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.