It was on Dirk Hartog Island, just across Freycinet Reach, that the first known European landing on Australia was made. Eendraght on 25 October 1616 and nailed an inscribed pewter plate to a tree. Pearling was once a major industry in Denham and the population reflects this history, comprising a mixture of Chinese, Malays and Europeans. Fishing has now taken over and the catch is processed locally.
Many natural attractions ensure that tourism is also an important industry.
The dolphins have been coming into shore regularly since the 1960s to interact with humans. For those interested in learning more about the dolphins, the Dolphin Information Centre has an excellent display and video. The name Monkey Mia comes from the schooner Monkey , which came into Shark Bay in 1834 and from the Aboriginal word 'mia', meaning ship. These have washed ashore for thousands of years and compacted naturally. Lying 48 kilometres to the south of Denham is Nanga Bay.