A replica of what is believed to be the first known European instrument played on Australian soil has been returned to the scene of a shipwreck that marked a chilling chapter in maritime history.

Trumpet artefacts from the Batavia were found in the shipwreck. ( Supplied: Andrew Evans )

Historians believe there were three trumpeters on board the Dutch ship Batavia, which struck a reef near Beacon Island at the Houtman Abrolhos, off Geraldton's coast in Western Australia, in 1629.

What followed was a 17th-century tale of mutiny and systematic murders of those aboard that inspired movies, books and plays, and remained one of the darkest chapters in Australia's maritime history.

Among the skeletons found centuries later at the low-lying island were various artefacts, including fragments of a trumpet.

After examining archaeological reports, trumpeter Andrew Evans became intrigued with the instrument and eventually, after years of research and seeking out advice from trumpet scholars, decided to have a replica made in Germany.

It was completed in 2010.

Andrew Evans plays the trumpet on Geraldton's foreshore. ( ABC Mid West: Sarah Taillier )

This week, Mr Evans travelled with his partner to Beacon Island to play the slender trumpet across the Batavia's graveyard for the first time.

"It was very moving. I am still coming to terms with just landing there and playing this trumpet," he said.

"It was found nearby in a low-lying grave, and to play at the wreck site was quite an experience."

Mr Evans plays to the Batavia wreck site. ( Supplied: Andrew Evans )

The original trumpet was made by Conrad Droschel in 1628, the same year the Batavia set off on its maiden voyage to obtain spices.

Trumpets were used on board the Dutch East India Company ships for signalling, entertainment and ceremony.

The trumpet bell found on Beacon Island. ( Supplied: Andrew Evans )

Mr Evans is a lecturer in trumpet at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and is trying to uncover the music that was originally played on the trumpet.

"We will never really know what they played because nothing is … ever written down," he said.

"But we have got some ideas of what maybe they could have played."

Describing the trumpet as a "dinosaur", Mr Evans said the instrument was challenging to play.

"It is like walking a tightrope without a net, because you can actually slip off these notes if you are not well-trained or well-practised in the instrument," he said.

"There are no moving parts. It is a long length of tubing; it is like a big bugle basically and it is only capable of playing the notes of the harmonic series.

"So it is limited to one key."

The replica trumpet on Beacon Island. ( Supplied: Andrew Evans )

Mr Evans plans to make more recordings from the faithful replica and hopes it will be eventually displayed in a museum.

"It is such a unique instrument," he said.

"The more I get into it, the more I play the instrument and play the notes … I really do feel an affinity with these guys on board these ships and the life they led."