Western Angler Article - To capture fish is not all the fishing - by Zane Grey

Greg Milner and his mates experienced mind blowing land-based sport fishing, along with a sense of history and remoteness, during a landmark trip to fish Dirk Hartog Island's wild western side. Most Australians might well be able to trace their ancestry back to Holland, instead of the United Kingdom, if Dirk Hartog had simply been better equipped. Had the 17th Century Netherlander possessed some basic spin gear, the crudest of lures, and a rudimentary cliff gaff, young Dirk could have sent a message back to his masters in the Dutch Eats India Company thus: "From the ship Eendracht, the Great South Land, to our Wise, Discrete, Benevolent Directors, Amsterdam. Sod the Spice Islands, we're hopping into some humungous critters down here. Tell Wilem, Cornelius and the boys to get a move on while they're on the bite. Send supplies, and don't forget the Gouda. See you in a year or two. Tight lines. Dirk. October 25, 1616." ...more

Overlander Article

Cyclone Vance, with the most powerful winds to hit an Australian . town since Tracy in 1974, destroyed much of Exmouth. But at Dirk Hartog Island, a few hundred kilometres to the south it resulted in the construction of a new row of ensuite bathrooms behind guest accommodation at the island's limestone homestead.  Australian holidays tend to revolve around sun and water. Cyclones were not on the agenda when our party of six middle-aged fishing friends set out for the island that marks Australia's most westerly point, located about 12 hours' drive north of Perth. 

Dirk Hartog Island is named after the skipper of the Dutch East India Company's trader Eendraght which sailed into picturesque Turtle Bay at the island's north end during October 1616.  Hartog stayed just long enough to discover there was no fresh water, no food and no-one with anything worthwhile to sell. After two days he set sail out of history and headed north for the Spice Islands and a load of pepper.  He didn't know it, but he'd actually landed not on the mainland but at the northern tip of a long, skinny island separated from the mainland by a narrow strait at the southern end, opposite what's now known as Steep Point, 850 km north of Perth. But, it would be churlish at this distance to deny him his posthumous right to claim his place in Australian exploratory history.  ...more

Rex Hunt Article

DIRK HARTOG ISLAND half way up the Western Australian coast remains, because of its rugged beauty and variety of fish species, one of my favourite fishing destinations. Just recently Bushy and I travelled to this piscatorial wonderland once again to film some segments for the TV show.

In 1616 Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog sailed into what is now known as Shark Bay, and explored the island which was eventually named in his honour. This is a wild and remote place folks, that has changed little since European settlement.

Not only is Dirk Hartog Island one of my favourite fishing holes it also happens to be one of my favourite feeding destinations as well, especially if you happen to be staying at Dirk Hartog Island Lodge. The lodge has all the comforts of home under the watchful eye of Kieran and Tory Wardle, and you'll be treated like royalty and eat like a king. ...more