Spring is here, the weather is starting to warm up and the wildflowers are slowly spreading their seeds around, ready to re-appear next year. The birds are busy tending to their young and new life is appearing around us.
A few weeks ago we had some very special guests visit Hamelin Reserve who are patrons of Charles Darwin Reserve, also in Western Australia. Some of the guests stayed in the shearers' quarters at the Station Stay and others at the homestead. Amongst them was Chris Darwin and his lovely family and Charlie Nicholson - a long-time volunteer and supporter of Bush Heritage (and also a camel driver in his spare time).
While staying at Hamelin Outback Station Stay visitors can venture out for the day and explore the beautiful World Heritage Shark Bay area.
Steep Point is the most westerly point of the Australian mainland and the Station Stay is the closest place to stay if you wish to visit it for the day.
It's a scenic 4WD track and the drive takes about 3 hours to reach iconic Steep Point where many a photograph has been taken.
If you're looking to go for a swim, Shelter Bay is the place, with calm waters that overlook Dirk Hartog Island. The Zuytdorp Cliffs can be seen all the way down the west coast and Thunder Bay Blowholes are a sight not to be missed. At the other end is False Entrance, which also has magnificent blowholes and a beautiful beach to walk along.
Francois Peron National Park is located on the Eastern peninsula of Shark Bay and is also easy accessible from Hamelin Outback Station Stay, either for a day trip or to camp near one of the many beautiful beaches. The drive to Cape Peron will give you a wonderful look at the marine life from the lookout and the viewing platform at Skipjack Point.
The small seaside village of Denham is a one hour drive from the Station Stay and here you can stock up on any groceries, fuel up your car or take a walk through the Information Centre. On the way back you can stop in at beautiful Shell Beach for a swim or to admire the tiny coquina shells that cover the shore. Eagle Bluff is another beautiful spot with a boardwalk that leads to a viewing platform overlooking Shark Bay.
Monkey Mia is the home of the dolphins, where they come in to be fed three times every morning.
Many visitors from all over the world flock here each year to see these wonderful creatures of the sea, and hope they will be chosen to feed the dolphins their daily meal of fish. You can spend the day here and go swimming, hire a kayak or relax on one of the cruises that take you out to view more spectacular marine life.
If you haven’t been to Hamelin Outback Station Stay put it on your list and come and stay a while, enjoy a relaxing day in the grounds or go off exploring, the choice is yours.