With its varied and dramatic landscapes, rare plants and animals and ecological communities that are examples of the Earth’s evolutionary history, Shark Bay is a remarkable place. Its outstanding natural values were recognised when it was placed on the World Heritage List in 1991.

A rich cultural heritage

The Mulgana Conservation Estate is significant for many reasons. The cultural values of the parks and reserves include numerous Aboriginal cultural and heritage sites and landscapes of mythological, ceremonial and spiritual importance.  These are evident in the continuing connection of the Malgana Traditional Owners to Country and there are numerous places, traditions, plants and animals with contemporary cultural value. 

From the 17th century, various explorers visited Shark Bay, with Dirk Hartog being the first recorded European to land on the west coast of Australia in 1616.  Cultural heritage values associated with the pastoral, fishing, pearling and sandalwood cutting industries are also important.

World Heritage and natural values

Most of the Malgana Conservation Estate parks and reserves lie within the Shark Bay World Heritage Property. Shark Bay was inscribed on the World Heritage List based on its natural heritage values including the peninsulas and islands, which support a high diversity of animals and represent a refuge for migratory and threatened wildlife. There is a rich array of endemic plants and animals and many at their northern and southern limits, including the threatened mammals and birds on Dirk Hartog Island/Wirruwana, and the seabird and shorebird breeding sites on the many bays and peninsulas. Seven mammal and one bird species have been reintroduced to Dirk Hartog Island/Wirruwana and a further three mammal reintroductions are planned as part of the Dirk Hartog Island National Park Ecological Restoration Project. The island is the largest loggerhead turtle nesting site in Australia.   

Read more about the Shark Bay World Heritage Area 

Shark Bay’s scenery is spectacular and varied. It includes Shell Beach, entirely comprised of shell deposits of the Hamelin cockle (Fragum erugatum) and the birridas, lagoons, dunes, coastal cliffs and coastlines of Peron Peninsula/Wulyibidi and Heirisson and Bellefin prongs.  The bay is a botanical transition zone between the eucalypt-dominated Southwest Botanical Province and the acacia-dominated Eremaean Botanical Province, resulting in a rich diversity of plant species and a vibrant display of wildflowers every year. 

Visitor experiences and tourism opportunities

With their outstanding landscape features, the parks and reserves of the Malgana Conservation Estate are important tourism destinations. Monkey Mia, Francois Peron National Park, Dirk Hartog Island National Park, Shell Beach Conservation Park and Steep Point attract local people and international, interstate and Western Australian visitors to undertake a range of cultural and nature-based experiences, such as camping, sightseeing, fishing, viewing wildlife, photography, picnicking or enjoying a commercial tour. The white sandy beaches and protected bays provide opportunities for boating, swimming, snorkelling, diving and kayaking.

Malgana Traditional Owners have been practising their culture and caring for Country for thousands of years and this is recognised through native title rights determined in 2018.

Joint management is a partnership between Traditional Owners and DBCA to work together to care for Country by bringing together Aboriginal traditional ecological knowledge and contemporary science. MAC and DBCA will work together to prepare the joint management plan in consultation with the community and stakeholders. Traditional Owner aspirations, values and concerns for Country will be integral to the joint management plan.

Read more about joint management between Traditional Owners and DBCA.