Monkey Mia Visitor Centre

Monkey Mia Visitor Centre was opened officially in June 2001 and represents the culmination of 6 year's planning to provide a focal point for visitors to this magical spot on the Western Australian coastline - a place where dolphins and humans have interacted for decades.

Photo: Feeding the Dolphins in Monkey Mia 

Designed by Perth Architect James Edwardes, formerly of Cox, Howlett and Bailey, the centre is built along angular lines with a rough, unfinished timber look. It houses static and interactive displays, incorporating colourful and evocative graphical images used to capture the interest and imagination of visitors. Under the art direction of Insight Communication and Design, the careful crafting of text, images, sounds, lights and shapes provides a special insight into the fascinating bottlenose dolphins and the world around them.

Construction of the Centre began in July 2000 and funding for the project was provided by the department, the federal Department of Industry, Science and Tourism, the Monkey Mia Trust and the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business.

Visitors to Monkey Mia can now get much more out of their visit. They can better understand how the dolphins' health and wellbeing is managed and they can help contribute to caring for the dolphins.

Visitors are encouraged to use their experience of Monkey Mia to venture further into the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

Find out about:

• bottlenose dolphins
• caring for the dolphins at Monkey Mia
• the coastal wildlife communities of Monkey Mia and Shark Bay
• other local attractions such as:
  • Shark Bay Marine Park
  • Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve
  • Francois Peron National Park
  • Shark Bay World Heritage Area