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Australia’s National Heritage List (NHL) recognises and protects natural, historic and Indigenous heritage places that have outstanding significance to the nation.

On 6 April 2006, the ‘Batavia Shipwreck Site and Survivor Camps Area 1629—Houtman Abrolhos’ was added to the National Heritage List, joining other icons such as the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef.

The historic, social and archaeological values of the Batavia NHL place relate to some of the earliest European activities in Australia. For over five decades, the Western Australian Museum has undertaken maritime archaeological work to understand, protect, conserve and share these values, for both the underwater wreck site and the related survivor sites.

The Batavia shipwreck story continues to horrify, inspire, reveal and educate. Scholarly and community research on Batavia and its rich archaeological collection, has led to new insights into Dutch and early European activities in the Indian Ocean region. The work has established a foundation from which protective legislation, scientific research and professional training has developed maritime archaeological and conservation practices in Australia and internationally. It has led to diplomatic relations and collaboration with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sweden and other countries with Dutch East India Company (VOC) shipwrecks such as Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In 2019, the islands from the Batavia NHL place became part of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park, creating new tourism opportunities and improved visitor access. Travellers to the Abrolhos will gain new insight into the significant and unique heritage values of the Batavia NHL place, and a deeper appreciation for the protection and preservation of these values for future generations.