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The Stomatolites and Shell
Beach
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| On the North West Coastal
Hwy. {1}, at the level of The Overlander
Roadhouse (678 kms. north of Perth) turn left the Denham Hamelin
Road {353}. |
| Turn right after 29 kms. to arrive 5kms
further at the Hamelin Homestead, The Old Telegraph Station and The
Stromatolites. Arriving to the Hamelin Homestead you will see a sign
on the left for the stromatolites, and also a sign to invite you to
visit first the Old Telegraph Station and receive some explanations
about the stromatolites. I suggest you to follow this invitation. |
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First because the visit of the Old Telegraph
Station is interesting, it is a part of the history of
the region, but also because the information received
about the 'living fossils' is important. Without the
explanation you could be very disappointed when you see
the stromatolites.
Their view is nothing exceptional. They are exceptional
by what they represent : the earth's oldest living
fossils. |
| You can also have a break at the Homestead.
If you plan to have a picnic, think twice before doing it, the flies
are very annoying. |
At only few hundred meters from the Homestead you will find the Stromatolites
place. It will not take you more than half an hour or three quarters
to go and visit the place.
From there you can also have a walk to the Shell Block Quarry.
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| A place from where shell blocks where
extracted for building purposes. Some houses built with this type of
blocks are still existing in Denham (for example : The Old pearler restaurant
and the Church).
Back on the Denham Hamelin Road, drive 55 kms. to reach The Shell Beach. Park your car. Do not
forget your sun glasses, and walk in this amazing place. Shell dunes
and shell beaches formed of billions upon billions of tiny shells
stretch for miles.
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From Shell Beach you still have to drive 45 kms. to reach the little
town of Denham. Caravan parks are available in town but if the objective
is to meet the Dolphins, it is better to end the day at the caravan
park of Monkey Mia Resort. The caravan park is big, well organised, quite
noisy, and quite expensive (20.5 AU$ / night for a power site , 2
adults & 1 child). It offers the advantage to be ready to see
the Dolphins the next morning.
The National Park Rangers have their office located
in the caravan park. In the evening, they organise a free information
session (with slide show). They give explanations on the park's wildlife,
the birds, the snakes, the flowers, and of course the dolphins.
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