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Shark Bay World Heritage Region, Western Australia
Just past the Overlander Roadhouse is the turn-off for Shark Bay. Shark Bay is a World Heritage area, and the first place to stop is at Hamelin Pool to see the Stromatolites.
Stromatolites are colonies of microbes that are able to trap sediment, thus forming a ‘mat’. The surrounding seawater provides dissolved calcium and carbonate which cements the mat. Over the centuries, these mats build up into columns; a metre-high stromatalite will have taken 2,000 years to grow that high. Microbes are thought to be the first living thing on earth. So, call in to see the Stromatolites.
Another place to stop is at Nanga Bay. You can camp there, and it has a lovely beach. There is also an interesting homestead that was built of compressed shell blocks.
We passed through Denham, another town that had grown up a lot since our last visit seven years earlier. Many people pass up Denham, but I think this is a quieter alternative to Monkey Mia and is worth considering as a place to stay.
Linda Lee Rathbun
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Denham
- Denham, 831km north of Perth, is the commercial centre for the extraordinary Shark Bay World Heritage Region. Historically a pearling town, but now is best known for its eco-tourism and its thriving fishing industry.
