Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Overlander Roadhouse to Denham
Twenty-nine kilometres along Shark Bay Rd from the Overlander Roadhouse is the turn-
off for
Hamelin Pool
(not nearby Hamelin Station!), a marine reserve that contains the
world's best-known colony of stromatolites. These coral-like formations consist of cy-
anobacteria almost identical to organisms that existed 3.5 billion years ago, and, through
their use of photosynthesis, are considered largely responsible for creating our current at-
mosphere, paving the way for more complex life. There's an excellent boardwalk with in-
formation panels, best seen at low tide.
The nearby 1884
Telegraph Office
(admission $5.50; check at shop)
houses a fascinating mu-
seum containing possibly the only living stromatolites in captivity. The Postmasters Res-
idence is also the office for the tiny
Hamelin Pool Caravan Park
( 08-9942 5905; Hamelin Pool; un-
powered/powered sites $22/27)
and serves Devonshire teas, pies and ice creams.
Along the road you pass the turn-off for
Hamelin Station
( 08-9948 5145;
www.hamelinstationstay.com.au
;
sites per person $12, s/d/f $60/90/120)
, which has lovely rooms in conver-
ted shearers' quarters, top-class amenities and somewhat arid camp sites. There's great
bird life at the nearby waterhole.
As Shark Bay Rd swings north, you'll pass the turn-off for
Useless Loop
(a closed salt-
mining town),
Edel Land
and
Steep Point
, the Australian mainland's most westerly tip.
The dusty former sheep station
Nanga Bay Resort
( 08-9948 3992;
www.nangabayresort.com.au
;
Nanga Bay; unpowered/powered sites $25/30, dongas/motel r/huts/villas $50/165/180/250; )
has a range of
accommodation. The Fishermens Huts, which sleep four to six people, have good views,
but some of the other options are a little depressing.
Inside the vermin-proof fence, and 55km from the Hamelin turn-off, is the road to
deserted
Shell Beach
, where tiny cockle shells, densely compacted over time, were once
quarried as building material for places like the Old Pearler Restaurant in Denham.
You'll pass turn-offs to bush camp sites before reaching
Eagle Bluff
, which has cliff-top
views overlooking an azure lagoon. You may spot turtles, sharks or manta rays.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Denham
POP 1500
