Located on the most western point of the coast of Australia and covering an area of 2.3 million hectares, Shark Bay achieved World Heritage status in 1991, and was the first listed such area in Western Australia, and one of 16 in Australia that fit all four selection criteria:

• an outstanding example representing the major stages in the earth's evolutionary history
   
• an outstanding example representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes;
   
• an example of superlative natural phenomena; and
   
• containing important and significant habitats for in situ conservation of biological diversity.

In the brief description on the UNESCO World Heritage list, it describes some of Shark Bay’s features and attractions:

Its vast sea-grass beds, which are the largest (4,800 sq. km) and richest in the world; its dugong ('sea cow') population; and its stromatolites (colonies of algae which form hard, dome-shaped deposits and are among the oldest forms of life on earth). Shark Bay is also home to five species of endangered mammals.

Source: UNESCO World Heritage: Shark Bay, Western Australia

Shark Bay World Heritage Area is a must see destination for visitors both here and internationally. The shallow waters of the Shark Bay Marine Park with its bays and inlets provide a unique environment with its vast meadows of seagrass, and where you can get the chance to see dugongs, manta rays, marine turtles, dolphins and humpback whales.

Shark Bay is also home to the oldest and largest living fossils in the world, the Hamelin Pool stromatolites. The mystery surrounding their origins attract scientists from around the globe, who have compared the find to that of a zoologist discovering a living dinosaur.

More information can be found on the Shark Bay World Heritage official site. For up-to-date accommodation, attraction, tours and other information contact the local visitor centres: