Hamelin Pool

Top choice in West Coast Australia


Twenty-nine kilometres along Shark Bay Rd from the Overlander Roadhouse is the turn-off for Hamelin Pool, a marine reserve with the world's best-known colony of stromatolites. These coral-like formations consist of cyanobacteria almost identical to organisms that existed 3.5 billion years ago; through their use of photosynthesis they are considered largely responsible for creating our current atmosphere, paving the way for more complex life.

There's an excellent boardwalk with information panels, best seen at low tide.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby West Coast Australia attractions

1. Telegraph Station

0.48 MILES

At the tiny Hamelin Pool Caravan Park, this old telegraph station dates from 1884 and houses historical exhibits and possibly the only living…

2. Shell Beach

26.92 MILES

Some 55km past the Hamelin turn-off is the road to the wide sweep of Shell Beach, where tiny cockle shells, densely compacted over time, were once…

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