World Heritage areas | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

World Heritage areas | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
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World Heritage areas
World Heritage areas are the most exceptional and unique places on Earth.
Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu National Park Photo by Sean Scott Photography
In 1972, worldwide concern over the destruction of the Earth’s cultural and natural heritage led to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) establishing the World Heritage Convention. This identifies, celebrates and protects the Earth’s irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage, and ensures it is conserved for all people for all time.
World Heritage status is awarded by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to sites that are deemed to possess ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ - cultural and/or natural significance so exceptional that it transcends national boundaries and is of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.
The Australian Government has primary responsibility for implementing the World Heritage Convention and developing of national policy on World Heritage matters. Both State and Commonwealth legislation protect the World Heritage values and prohibit actions that have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the World Heritage values of a declared property.
DBCA is responsible for the implementation of policy and the day-to-day management for three of the five World Heritage areas in Western Australia:
Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area
Purnululu National Park World Heritage Area
Murujuga and DBCA jointly manage the fourth World Heritage Area listed for natural attributes:
Murujuga Cultural Landscape World Heritage Area
More information on World Heritage
whc.unesco.org
environment.gov.au/heritage/about/world-heritage
Information
for visitors
Explore our World Heritage areas on the Explore Parks WA website.
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Murujuga Cultural Landscape World Heritage Area
Murujuga Cultural Landscape World Heritage Area
Murujuga Cultural Landscape achieves World Heritage listing.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee deems Murujuga Cultural Landscape is of Outstanding Universal Value.
Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area
Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area
The Ningaloo Coast is a place of stark and spectacular contrast between the rugged, arid landscape of Cape Range and the clear, turquoise colours of Ningaloo Reef.
Purnululu National Park World Heritage Area
Purnululu National Park World Heritage Area
The Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park is one of WA's most striking landmarks.
Resilient Reefs Ningaloo
Resilient Reefs Ningaloo
Resilient Reefs is a global initiative to support coral reefs and the communities that depend on them to adapt to climate change and local threats.
Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Shark Bay World Heritage Area
Shark Bay World Heritage Area encompasses 2.2 million hectares on the coast of Western Australia and was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1991.
World Heritage advisory committees
World Heritage advisory committees
World Heritage advisory committees help us manage Western Australia's World Heritage properties.