Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre
Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre
Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre
4
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
About
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 DPAW 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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.0
200 reviews
Excellent
101
Very good
60
Average
22
Poor
10
Terrible
7
Rochelle
Perth, Australia937 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Couples
We came here as it was something to do on a rainy day
There is two sections - the free side with art gallery and a memorial for HMAS Sydney II with the fire on the water display. The other side is the discovery centre which you pay to enter
The fire on the water display was an amazing tribute to the brave men aboard the HMAS Sydney II who lost their lives in battle. It was very good to read and learn about our history - I still tell everyone I can about what I learnt!
The discovery centre is FULL on history and information on the region, however it was a bit overwhelming with all the reading, some more interactive stuff might be good. Lucky you can come back several days if you wanted too.
Definitely worth a visit and to support the centre itself
There is two sections - the free side with art gallery and a memorial for HMAS Sydney II with the fire on the water display. The other side is the discovery centre which you pay to enter
The fire on the water display was an amazing tribute to the brave men aboard the HMAS Sydney II who lost their lives in battle. It was very good to read and learn about our history - I still tell everyone I can about what I learnt!
The discovery centre is FULL on history and information on the region, however it was a bit overwhelming with all the reading, some more interactive stuff might be good. Lucky you can come back several days if you wanted too.
Definitely worth a visit and to support the centre itself
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin
10 contributions
Aug. 2022
The discovery centre lives up to it's name as both a place to look at the history of the area and to book tours etc. It is also the home of HMAS Sydney II memorial and 'Fire on the Water' exhibition detailing the battle between HMAS Sydney and HSK Kormoran
Written 22 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rh0ban
Perth, Australia21 contributions
Jul. 2022
What an excellent place. So much information about the history of the area's many facets and so well displayed.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Acineto
Auckland Central, New Zealand20,117 contributions
Jun. 2022
We came by here since it was raining. We did stop by before to get some information regarding what sights to see but came back to do the Discovery Center. There are a few souvenirs in the shop too. They also have information regarding the status of the Francois Peron National Park.
There is a small gallery on the left of the entrance which is free to enter and does have quite a few spectacular photographs of the area. There was also a 3D movie "Fire on the Water" about the HMAS Sydney which was sad and informative. It ran every 30 minutes so you can easily wait for the next screening.
The Discovery Center costs $11 for adults and $6 for children but it is a multiday pass so you are able to come back in at a later day, just show your receipt. I quite enjoyed it since it was almost like a museum about the history of the area. It was split up into different segments based on the area. It was nice strolling around and looking at the different things inside, particularly the animal stuff. They also did have movies going so if you had time you can sit and watch them all.
It is a useful place to stop, whether you're looking for information or wanting to spend some time looking around the displays.
There is a small gallery on the left of the entrance which is free to enter and does have quite a few spectacular photographs of the area. There was also a 3D movie "Fire on the Water" about the HMAS Sydney which was sad and informative. It ran every 30 minutes so you can easily wait for the next screening.
The Discovery Center costs $11 for adults and $6 for children but it is a multiday pass so you are able to come back in at a later day, just show your receipt. I quite enjoyed it since it was almost like a museum about the history of the area. It was split up into different segments based on the area. It was nice strolling around and looking at the different things inside, particularly the animal stuff. They also did have movies going so if you had time you can sit and watch them all.
It is a useful place to stop, whether you're looking for information or wanting to spend some time looking around the displays.
Written 7 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnnyLindgren
Perth, Australia14 contributions
Nov. 2021
Very informative and unique experience with a extensive display of information for the region. Great staff and and awesome artwork display.
Written 28 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pang O
Perth, Australia559 contributions
Sep. 2021
This Discovery centre is well worth visiting to learn so many things about the Shark Bay region, its the history, local animals and sea life, etc. A good afternoon just absorbing the knowledge available in this Centre.
Written 9 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg W
3 contributions
Sep. 2021
Wandered in to the Information centre with no real idea of what we would do in the region ……. Vivian was brilliant, asked a few key questions about our interests and helped plan our itinerary over 3 days. Her hot tub tip was a great way to end our last day, check it out if you can at the Francois Peron NP and seeing a mother and baby dugong from Skipjack Point Lookout was another unexpected highlight. We didn’t explore the Discovery Centre thought we would save it for another day …..
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine L
Tarwin Lower, Australia3,009 contributions
Aug. 2021
We didn't go into the discovery centre, maybe we will do that another day. We went in search of information to maximise our time here. The staff were helpful and didn't keep us waiting, they understood what we were looking for and made lots of good suggestions to suit us. We left with the brochures we needed to access the various attractions. The centre itself looks quite new and is very spiffy inside and out, there are souvenirs on offer and local produce as most of the centres seem to have these days.
Written 31 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gmb27
Perth, Western Australia101 contributions
Aug. 2021 • Couples
We were in Denham as this was the departure place for our trip to Dirk Hartog Island. Unfortunately our trip had been booked through a third party and we had very little itinerary information so we popped in here for some assistance.
Well what a breath of fresh air this place was. With sincere thanks to Viv and Aiyana, our itinerary issues were soon clarified after a couple of phone calls and discussions. The resource centre has all the information you’ll ever need if you’re in the Shark Bay area and if you happen to meet either one of those two lovely women, then you’re the winner!
Thanks again Viv & Aiyana!!
Well what a breath of fresh air this place was. With sincere thanks to Viv and Aiyana, our itinerary issues were soon clarified after a couple of phone calls and discussions. The resource centre has all the information you’ll ever need if you’re in the Shark Bay area and if you happen to meet either one of those two lovely women, then you’re the winner!
Thanks again Viv & Aiyana!!
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie C
19 contributions
Aug. 2021
Myself and my partner visited here 6th August. We paid $11 each to get in. We were disappointed about what the $11 got us. We would have happily paid this price for the fire on the water. What frustrated us the most is that 3 people in front of us just walked past the pricing sign into the exhibit. Would be happy to pay $6 into it as it was informative but got more value for money in other visitor centre exhibits.
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingShark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre
- Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Sat - Sun 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Hotels near Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre:
- (0.06 km) Shark Bay Hotel
- (0.18 km) Wildsights Villas
- (0.07 km) best beach villa: on the foreshore
- (0.20 km) Heritage Resort Shark Bay
- (0.33 km) Shark Bay Seafront Apartments
- Restaurants near Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery and Visitor Centre:
- (0.04 km) Shark Bay Cafe
- (0.05 km) Salt Water Cafe
- (0.15 km) The Old Pearler Restaurant
- (0.09 km) Shark Bay Hotel
- (0.10 km) Shark Bay Bakery and Cafe