Hamelin

Last updated on 16 Feb 2017

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Established: 2015
Area: 202,644 ha
Location: 250km N of Geraldton

Abutting the shore of Hamelin Pool and the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Hamelin Station Reserve is a former sheep station of exceptional conservation importance. The purchase of Hamelin extends the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, completing a connected corridor of nature reserves from Shark Bay via Toolonga Nature Reserve, through crown land to Bush Heritage’s Eurardy Reserve and then Kalbarri National Park – a span of over 200km.

Malee and spinifex country. Photo Marie Lochman / Lochman Transparencies.

Covering 202,644 hectares, the property is situated in a major transitional zone for flora and supports species characteristic of both the South West (Yalgoo) and the Eremaean (Carnarvon) bioregions.

Most vegetation communities in the Carnarvon bioregion on the property are Acacia dominated shrublands on sandplains, which are poorly represented in the National Reserve System. Areas close to the Hamelin Pool shore support samphire shrublands. In the south of the property, Eucalypt woodlands with an understorey of spinifex hummocks occur.

Stromatolites

Hamelin Pool is one of only two locations Worldwide where active marine stromatolites occur in large diversity and abundance. Stromatolites are created by colonies of microbes called cyanobacteria (blue green algae) which trap and bind sand and sediment grains. They're remarkable for being found in the fossil record dating back to 3.5 billion years, and so are the earliest fossil evidence of life.

Hamelin Station Reserve is a research base for studying the Hamelin Pool stromatolites, providing support for Australian and international scientists, students, volunteers and other research partners. These experts are providing insights that will both protect the Shark Bay World Heritage area and advance our understanding of early life on Earth.

What this reserve protects

The Shark Bay area supports habitats for 240 bird species (about 35% of Australia’s total bird species), 820 species of plants, and many reptiles and mammals. Exactly which species occur on Hamelin will be revealed after detailed fauna surveys. With the removal of stock and feral predator control habitat quality will improve and we anticipate many species currently absent from the property may reclaim their former range.

Animals

Hamelin Skink (endemic to Hamelin Station and a neighbouring property), Western Spiny-tailed Skink, Western Grasswren, Mallefowl (nesting mounds are present)

Plants

Beard’s Mallee (Eucalyptus beardiana), Asby's Banksia (Banksia ashbyi)

Vegetation communities

Shrubland tree heath, Eucalypt woodland over hummock (spinifex) grassland, Temperate and subtropical coastal salt marsh (vulnerable), Diverse shrubland on sandplain.

A Western Grasswren at Hamelin. Photo Ben Parkhurst.

What we’re doing

After purchase, the initial focus of work on Hamelin has been the removal of sheep and goats, decommissioning water points, and the repair of infrastructure.

Our next efforts have been focused on fauna and flora surveys that provide baseline information for conservation management planning.

Hamelin Skink. Photo by Simon Fordham / NaturePix.

Hamelin Outback Station Stay

Hamelin Station provides a base for people to experience the extraordinary natural gifts and cultural story that this reserve, Hamelin Pool and the wider Shark Bay region have to offer.

We proudly operate the Hamelin Outback Station Stay accommodation. The restored shearers’ quarters and 30 unpowered camping sites are a throwback to the days when Hamelin was a working sheep station.

Hamelin Station Stay at twilight. Photo Cineport Media.

We offer travellers a place to stop and rest, and to experience a little of what it was like to live on a sheep station, maintaining the site as a truly authentic 'Aussie' accommodation experience.

Cultural heritage

Shark Bay is the traditional home of three indigenous groups – the Malgana, Nhanda and Yingkarta – who have lived in the region for over 30,000 years.

Ecologist Ben Parkhurst with a Smooth Knob-tailed Gecko at Hamelin Station. Photo Annette Ruzicka.

There are around 130 registered Aboriginal heritage sites within the Shark Bay precinct including various ancient artefacts and landmarks, including rock shelters, quarries and burial sites.

In the late 1880s Hamelin Pool became an important transport and communication hub. The Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station was built in 1884 and linked the telegraph line between Perth and Roebourne. Initially named Flint Cliff Telegraph Station, it was active until the mid 20th century.