The first European landing recorded in Australia took place in October 1616 when Dutch Sea Captain Dirk Hartog landed at Cape Inscription on the island that now bears his name. Leaving behind an inscribed pewter plate so recording his visit.

Hartog's plate was rediscovered 81 years later in 1697 by another Dutch Captain - William De Vlamingh, who replaced the original with one of his own.

Vlamingh returned Hartog's plate to Holland where it can be seen today on display at the Rijkes Museum. Vlamingh's plate is on display at the Fremantle Maritime Museum in Western Australia.

A succession of English and French explorers followed, William Dampier named the area Sharks bay in 1699 and a Frenchman - Francois St. Allouarn laid formal claim to the territory for France in 1772.

To help the visitor understand the significance of these early visits to Shark Bay, it's worth noting that Dirk Hartog's discovery took place 152 years before Captain James Cook set out on his much publicised voyage of discovery to the Pacific and Australia's eastern shores.

Visitors are encouraged to look closely at Shark Bay's unusual natural beauty. Plan to spend time exploring the pristine bays, inlets and islands. Discover for yourself some of the rare plants, mammals and birds found only in Shark bay.

The shallow waters of the Shark Bay Marine Park abound with a myriad of marine life. Vast seagrass meadows are home to the most secure herd of dugong in the World. The clear waters allow the visitor an opportunity to view these and other aquatic life. Manta Rays, Turtles and Whales can be seen and there are the famous dolphins of Monkey Mia - who visit the beach each day to interact with visitors.

In the saline waters of Hamelin Pool can be found evidence of one of the earth's earliest life forms - the Stromatolites of Hamelin Pool.

Microscopic organisms - invisible to the human eye concentrate and recycle nutrients which combine with sedimentary grains to form towers of rock-like materials known as Stromatolites. 2000/3000 million years ago Stromatolites first colonised the shallow waters of Hamelin Pool. Visitors can see the Stromatolites at the end of the Hamelin Pool Road - just 27km from the junction of the North West Coastal Highway and the Denham-Hamelin Road.

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