Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community is a unique community in Australia. It is the historical home of the descendants of Aboriginal children separated from their parents under past government policies (‘stolen generations’) as well as the traditional home of the Nyul Nyul people.

Beagle Bay is on the western side of the Dampier Peninsula adjacent to the Indian Ocean. It is the gateway to the northern centres of Djarindjin, Lombadina, Ardyaloon, Billard and Bobeiding as well as outstation communities throughout the area.

The area was named after Charles Darwin’s boat – HMS Beagle – which was moored at the bay for a brief stay.

In April 2009 the Australian Government announced that the Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community was one of 26 remote Aboriginal communities targeted for inclusion in a multi-million dollar Remote Service Delivery Strategy intended to bring services and conditions to the same standards as those in similar-sized communities anywhere in Australia.

Beagle Bay Aboriginal Community has a school – Sacred Heart School – which was established in 1892 by the Trappist Monks and caters for students from ages K-10.

Beagle Bay is particularly well known for its Sacred Heart Church with its mother-of-pearl shell altar which was built entirely by hand by the Aboriginal people and Pallotine monks. In 2000 the bell tower of the church collapsed much to the shock of the community.

The Beagle Bay Community Store operates in a dilapidated building. A new and better facility for local shoppers and visitors is desperately needed.

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