The Hamelin Pool Stromatolites

Time has literally stood still at Hamelin Pool, the site of what is considered the best example of marine stromatolites in the world.

The stromatolites are the oldest and largest living fossils on earth, and offer valuable insight to geologists and botanists into what the world looked like billions of years ago. They have grown successfully at Hamelin Bay due to the high salt content of the water held in by a sand bar. Their growth rate is an incredibly slow 0.3mm per year, with those of heights of up to a metre believed to be thousands of years old.

A visit to the stromatolites is perfect for nature lover’s and those who want to bask in awe of the eons that have formed them. What’s even better is that the surrounding region is full of super fun and adventurous activities that make this part of Western Australia unique.

Let’s take a look at some of those joyous experiences below…

Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is one of Australia’s most incredible and isolated tourist destinations: a sprawling stretch of coastline that encompasses red earth sand dunes, gorgeous beaches and plenty of sea life to make for a joyous day in nature!

One of the best activities to partake in at Monkey Mia is that of live dolphin feeding. Every day a group of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins swim right up to the shore in search of some tasty treats provided to them by experienced wildlife officers.

Outside of the dolphin feeding experience, it is actually illegal to be within 50 metres of a member of the school if you happen to be sharing the water with them, so be sure to sign up for the experience if you really want to see these smart and playful sea creatures up close and personal!

The cheeky dolphins aren’t the only creatures to inhabit the Monkey Mia region, however, as visitors are often treated to sightings of dugongs, turtles, sharks, rays and emus and pelicans on the land side of things!

Dirk Hartog Island National Park

Only accessible by 4WD, plane or boat, Dirk Hartog Island is a pristine island located just off the coast from Australia’s most westerly point. Not only does this island carry plenty of history, it is also home to many of Australia’s most beloved animals.

Take your time to meander around the national park, keeping your eyes peeled for the likes of loggerhead turtles, dugongs, whale sharks, fairy wrens, wallabies and woylies. You can even have a diving or snorkelling experience on the island that is absolutely perfect for seeing some of the more elusive sea creatures that inhabit the island’s warm waters.

South Peron

South Peron is located adjacent to the Hamelin Pool and is host to a range of spectacular sites, including Shell Beach, Nanga and Eagle Bluff. This is a truly beautiful stretch of coastline that remains virtually untouched – it’s totally worth exploring after your visit to the stromatolites and the wonderful Monkey Mia!