Monkey Mia - Culture and History

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This was published 15 years ago

Monkey Mia - Culture and History


Shark Bay was first named by William Dampier on his second voyage to Australia in 1699. Dampier wrote in A Voyage to New Holland: 'The Sea-fish that we saw here (for here was no River, Land or Pond of fresh Water to be seen) are chiefly Sharks. There are Abundance of them in this particular Sound, and I therefore give it the Name of Shark's Bay...'Twas the 7th of August when we came into Shark's Bay; in which we Anchor'd at three several Places, and stay'd at the first of them (on the W. side of the Bay) till the 11th. During which time we searched about, as I said, for fresh Water, digging Wells, but to no purpose.'

In spite of Dampier's rather jaundiced assessment of the area Shark Bay is truly magnificent. A jewel in the West Australian coast - white sand beaches edged by aquamarine waters and dark Prussian blue waters stretching to the horizon.


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