The museum focuses on two parts. The Carnarvon Tracking Station and the OTC Satellite Earth Station, for which each station played separate roles in the early space industry.

The Carnarvon Tracking Station was located 10 kilometres south from Carnarvon. The station was built to support NASA’s Gemini, Apollo and Skylab programs. It was commissioned in 1964 and operated for 11 years. It was the last station to communicate with the space capsules leaving the earth orbit, and the last to make contact before splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. At the height of the operation it had a staff of 220 people.

The OTC Satellite Earth Station (and now museum site) is situated at the northern end of Browns Range, about 6 kilometres from the centre of Carnarvon, and 4 kilometres north of the Tracking Station. The OTC Satellite Earth Station was opened in1966, initially with the 12.8 metre wide Casshorn antenna as part of the global satellite communications system. The Casshorn antenna has interacting parabolic and hyperbolic reflectors in a characteristic ‘sugar scoop’ form.

On 21 July 1969, the day of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Casshorn antenna relayed Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon from NASA's Honey Suckle Creek Tracking Station to Perth's TV audience via Moree earth station - the first live telecast into Western Australia. Later in 1969, the larger 29.6 metre wide steerable antenna was built to facilitate better communication between the NASA Tracking Station and the USA.

It has been restored and provides an interesting look back at the lives led by the original lighthouse keepers during the 1900s, as well as providing some fascinating information about how the lighthouse operated.

Forming part of the Carnarvon Heritage Precinct you can catch a ride on the Kimberley Steam Locomotive from Carnarvon to the precinct and listen to the excellent audio commentary explaining the history of the port. For the walking enthusiast there is a three kilometre hike which will introduce you to much of the area's stunning wildflowers and wildlife. Descriptive information boards along the way will help you identify the various species.

Whilst in the precinct allow some time to visit the longest jetty in the state's north, One Mile Jetty, and visit the Railway Museum. Carnarvon is a 10 hour drive north of Perth.

This museum houses the Kimberley Steam Train, which was brought down from Broome in the 1950’s. It was the last steam train to operate in the North West.

The centre’s informative displays; soundscapes, historical and contemporary film footage, interactive multimedia and objects of rare scientific and historical significance take you on the most amazing journey around Shark Bay and across time, in company and conversation with those who have been part of this extraordinary place.

Entry into the Museum will give you a two day pass. So if you don't get through everything in one day, just keep your receipt and you can return again the next day.

Entrance fee is for a multi day pass: Adults $11, Concessions $8, Children $6 Family Pass $28

Shark Bay is considered to be one of the most significant areas of the world because of our unique ecological systems including the Stromatolites (the oldest living life form) and Shell Beach to the expansive sea grass beds which provide an important food source for the Dugongs and shelter for marine organisms Our Discovery and Visitor Centre showcases a museum exhibition displaying the whole area with its rich history. A visit to the museum will give you an insight into our incredible world heritage area and significant places of interest for you to see during your stay in the Bay.

There is a shell block adjacent to the telegraph station which is where many of the unique shell buildings in the area began.