Hamelin Bay, Western Australia

Hamelin Bay is a coastal area in the South West of Western Australia, between the towns of Augusta and Margaret River. It is known for its beautiful beach, clear water, and friendly stingrays that come close to shore.

Hamelin Bay is part of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and is located within the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

 History 
Hamelin Bay was named after French explorer Jacques Félix Emmanuel Hamelin, who explored the coast in the early 1800s. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was a busy port for the timber industry. A jetty was built to load ships with timber, but it was destroyed by storms. You can still see remains of the old jetty on the beach today.

 Nature and Attractions 
Hamelin Bay is famous for its:
Beach – white sand and calm, turquoise water
Stingrays – large, wild stingrays often swim close to the shore; visitors can see them up close
Snorkelling and swimming
Fishing and boating

Nearby natural attractions include Cape to Cape Track, Boranup Forest, and Cosy Corner.

 Wildlife 
The bay is home to many sea animals and birds. The smooth stingrays and eagle rays are the main attraction. These rays are wild but often approach people at the shoreline, especially when fish scraps are around.

 Safety and Conservation 
Stingrays in Hamelin Bay are usually gentle, but they are still wild animals. Visitors are asked not to touch or feed them to help protect the animals and the environment. The area is managed as part of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

 Access 
Hamelin Bay is about 15 km north of Augusta and can be reached by car via Caves Road. There is a campground and caravan park near the beach, which is popular with holidaymakers.