Hamelin

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.

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

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 Hamelin protects

The Shark Bay area supports habitats for 240 bird species (about 35% of Australia’s total), 820 species of plants, and many reptiles and mammals.

With the removal of stock and introduction of feral predator control, habitat quality will improve and we anticipate many species may return to the property.

Animals: Hamelin Skink (endemic to Hamelin Station and a neighbouring property), Western Spiny-tailed Skink, Western Grasswren, Mallefowl.

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.

What we’re doing

On purchase our initial focus was to remove sheep and goats, decommission water points, and repair infrastructure. After this, fauna and flora surveys have helped provide baseline information for conservation management planning.

Remote sensor cameras have recorded Malleefowl, Bush Stone Curlew and Spinifex Hopping Mice, suggesting cats and foxes (while also present) haven't had it all their own way. Other species recorded include Echidnas, Mulga Parrots, Bronzewing Pigeons, Emus, Kangaroos, Ravens, Willie Wagtails, Crested Pigeons, Galahs and Crimson Chats.

Small animal monitoring has uncovered many skinks, monitors, blind snakes and a even a disorientated Chestnut Quail Thrush, a pretty and usually difficult bird to see.

Hamelin Outback Station Stay

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.

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.

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.