Discovery Centre
Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre
Discover how a Stromatolite changed the world...
Discover Shark Bay’s native land and sea animals...
Discover why a Dutchman nailed a dinner plate to a post...
Discover why Shark Bay is World Heritage listed...
As of 1 July 2024, the entrance fees for the Discovery Centre will be increasing as per the Shire of Shark Bay's Fees and Charges 2024/2025. The ticket remains a multi-day entry pass.
Adults $13.00
Concessions (senior card, health card, student card) $9.00
Children (6 years and older) $7.00
Family Pass $32.00
Group/Coach $7.00
The Shark Bay Discovery Centre has been designed to showcase the significance and history of the Shark Bay region. The centre’s informative displays; soundscapes, historical and contemporary film footage, interactive multimedia and objects of rare scientific and historical significance take you on the most amazing journey around Shark Bay and across time, in company and conversation with those who have been part of this extraordinary place.
The Discovery Centre displays are positioned so as to represent a map of Shark Bay. It follows an organic natural flow from south to north encompassing the three distinct categories: the Living Place, the Mapping Place and the Experiencing Place.
The Living Place introduces you to the special qualities that make Shark Bay one of the most significant places in the world. The key to its World Heritage listing is the great diversity of Shark Bay’s environment; teeming with life, movement and energy. From ancient stromatolites to meadows of seagrass and the abundance of marine life such as dugongs, dolphins, turtles, whales, manta rays, sharks and numerous species of fish to name just a few. The Living Place will open your eyes to all there is to discover.
The Mapping Place lets you discover how Indigenous Malgana people, Dutch traders, French naturalists, English colonisers, local pearlers, pastoralists, fishers and conservationists have layered Shark Bay with cultural diversity. From shipwreck relics to Aboriginal song and early European maps, explore just how significant the heritage of Shark Bay is in the story of our nation.
As you move through the Experiencing Place, all your senses will be brought alive to Shark Bay's shifting shapes and moods. This sense of place is created through the entanglement of nature and culture. Discover how fish nurseries turn into salt evaporation ponds, pastoral stations become conservation reserves, fences to keep sheep in are replaced with feral-proof barriers to keep them out, homesteads become resorts, pearling grounds become marine parks and fishing boats cast nets for tourists rather than fish.
Rose De Freycinet Gallery
The Discovery Centre's Rose de Freycinet Gallery offers visitors an ever-changing range of local and travelling exhibitions in a large, dramatically lit exhibition space. Be sure to check the events page for what’s on before you visit.
Fire on the Water
The Shark Bay Discovery & Visitor Centre is home to the 'Fire on the Water' exhibition. The 15 minute 3D film and accompanying exhibit tell the story of the battle between HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran, tracing the events of this World War II Naval battle 200 kilometres off the coast of Shark Bay.
Astonishing deep-sea 3D imagery from the 2015 expeditions to the wreck sites, undertaken by WA Museum, Curtin University and DOF Subsea have been used to create an interpretative timeline of the battle and to offer insights into what happened when the ships met off Shark Bay 77 years ago.
The exhibit is permanent, free and screens every half hour during the Shark Bay Discovery & Visitor Centre's opening hours.
In collaboration with the West Australian Museum, 'Fire on the Water' is part two of an historical maritime trail which begins with 'From Great Depths' at the Museum of Geraldton, commemorating this significant Australian Naval disaster.
For more information on HMAS Sydney (II) please visit the Western Australian Museum's website.
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