The area surrounding Eco Beach boasts a rich European and aboriginal history. During the late 1800's through to the mid 1900's, some 2 000 aboriginals lived in the sand dunes between King Sound near Derby and La Grange, south of Eco Beach. They lived comfortably on fish, dugong, turtle and oysters with occasional hunting expeditions into the 'pindan' country for red meat, roots and grubs. For beds, they would scrape a hole in the sand and light fires at their heads and feet. The Yawuru Aborigines occupied the land surrounding Eco Beach. Eco Beach has established a successful relationship with the Yawuru Aborigines and the retreat was constructed in consultation with the Yawuru elders.

Eco Beach works together with a Yawuru guide who operates day trips and guided nature walks to the retreat. Guests are exposed to aboriginal history, medicinal uses of the natural vegetation, bush tucker and traditional hunting methods.

The first Europeans arrived at Cape Villaret in 1699 and continued to visit the area in search of good pastoral land. Their arrival saw many encounters - not all friendly - with the Aborigines.

We have incorporated a cultural and historical theme by naming each hut after a character from the rich Aboriginal and European history of Cape Villaret. Each hut features its own story inside.

William Dampier, an English buccaneer, was the first white man to sight the northwest Australian coast. He landed at Cape Villaret aboard the Roebuck in 1699. Also on board the Roebuck were: Jacob Hughes (Master), Chadwick (First Mate), Dr. Borthwick (Surgeon), and Barnaby (Midshipman).

In 1788, French explorer La Perouse and his ship mysteriously disappeared after leaving Botany Bay. They were last seen heading west to circumnavigate the Western Australian coast. In 1801, a fleet of three French ships, Geographe, Casuarina and the Naturaliste set out in search of La Perouse. On their way up the Western Australian coast, they named all the major capes including Cape Villaret after a French maritime captain - Villaret.

On the 10th of May 1864, a party of five explorers from Perth, consisting of; botanist Dr. Martin, Inspector Panter, Constable Buck and Aboriginal tracker Tommy Dundale, landed at Cape Villaret aboard the schooner New Perseverance. They set off inland to explore the land which now surrounds Eco Beach. Dr. Martin collected many plant specimens and sent them all to the Melbourne-based botanist - Ferdinand von Mueller, (Von Mueller consequently named much of the Kimberley flora). During the trip, they met Du Boulay who was on a whaling expedition. Du Boulay accompanied the exploration party on their two-week journey.

In November 1864, Panter returned with Harding, Constable Goldwyer and Lockier Burges aboard the schooner Flying Foam to further explore the potential of good pastoral land. Panter, Goldwyer and Harding met their deaths when they accidentally trespassed on sacred aboriginal ground and were murdered by Aborigines.

Maitland Brown from Perth, led the search party which found the bodies of the three murdered men at Bulla Bulla creek. Brown arrived at Cape Villaret aboard the Clarence Packet, accompanied by two Aboriginal policemen, Toovey and Dugdale and two Aboriginal Trackers, Dutchmancham and Kirrimba.

In November 1866, the Kestrel anchored off Cape Villaret with another party in search of good pastoral land.

Harry Jaeger was a prominent pearler who drowned off Cape Villaret when his boat, the Hawk, capsized in a storm in January 1896.

George Roe was the original pastoralist of Thangoo Station which surrounds Eco Beach. Jack Edgar and Frank Biddles took up the lease of Yardoogarra in 1901 and Thangoo in 1911. Thangoo now runs 5,000 head of Brahman cattle. Alexander Forest was a prominent explorer around the Cape Villaret area.

Nole Boeni was an Indonesian seaman who died of dysentery aboard the schooner Kelander Bux on the 20th September 1904. He was buried at "Villaret Creek" (Jack's Creek), just 12 kilometres north of Eco Beach.

Muddi is the Aboriginal name of Matthew Gilbert who is the present custodian of the Yawuru Aborigines. The Yawuru people used to live on the land around Eco Beach.

The inception of Eco Beach transpired from a fishing trip to Cape Villaret in 1994 when Karl Plunkett, the retreat's developer, first viewed the site. Karl was immediately drawn to the area's isolation and stunning natural coastal environment. He saw an opportunity to create a low impact, 'eco-tourism' getaway where guests could enjoy and appreciate the stunning natural features of the Kimberley coast without compromising its natural beauty.

Eco Beach was initially planned to be a small scale project comprising just 20 cabins. The first cabin was erected in October 1995 - now one of the retreat's honey-moon suites! Very simple in design, it acted as the prototype for the rest of Eco Beach. Perth Designer and Planner, Paul Meschiati, was called upon to refine the prototype cabin and by July 1996, the 20 cabins were completed, along with 'Jack's' bar and restaurant.

To meet the demands of the travel market, Stage 2 was initiated in November 1996 and completed in April 1997. An additional 21 huts were built, along with a conference centre and staff quarters. The maximum number of guests at Eco Beach will only ever be 80 - 100 people...
Mother Nature may object to too many more!