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New boardwalk coming to iconic spot in Shark Bay World Heritage Area
The site of WA’s world-renowned stromatolites is getting a 260-metre viewing platform.
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The site of WA’s world-renowned stromatolites is getting a 260-metre viewing platform.
Published
2 min read
Text size
Published
Text size
A new $4.6 million boardwalk is underway at Hamelin Pool, set to restore access to one of WA's most extraordinary natural wonders — the ancient stromatolites.
Located around 700km north of Perth and about 1.5 hours from Denham, Hamelin Pool is one of only two places in the world where visitors can see these remarkable "living fossils".
These incredible formations represent some of the earliest forms of life on Earth before dinosaurs, dating back billions of years.
After suffering severe damage by Cyclone Seroja in April 2021, the original 30-year-old timber boardwalk was subsequently closed.
The new 260-metre boardwalk, 30 metres longer than the original, will allow visitors to once again get up close to these globally significant formations, while helping to protect the fragile environment.
The project has now reached a key milestone, with the construction contract awarded to SMC Marine WA Pty Ltd. and expected to take around 11 months.
Visitors heading to the Shark Bay World Heritage Area this year can safely view the stromatolites from the shore at a distance. The 1.4km Boolagoorda Trail also offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about the area's natural and cultural history, an easy walk ending at the historic Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station.
For the best experience when the boardwalk opens, plan your visit at very low tide and bring binoculars or a telephoto lens to get a closer look at these ancient formations.
You can find out more about the project on the DBCA website.
Banner image: DBCA
Images: Tourism Western Australia
