Hamelin Bay Holiday Park

Hamelin Bay Holiday Park is a dreamy spot for a relaxed family escape, tucked inside the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park between Margaret River and Augusta. Surrounded by towering trees and just a short stroll from the sparkling waters of Hamelin Bay, it has that classic, laid-back “old-school” WA holiday feel, with the bonus of modern comforts where you want them. It’s the kind of place where kids can roam, days revolve around the beach, and evenings are all about sunsets and campfires (in season).

Accommodation at Hamelin Bay Holiday Park caters to just about every style of family holiday. If you’re after a little extra comfort, the Ocean View Cottages sit only a stone’s throw from the beach, with sweeping views over the Indian Ocean. These two-bedroom cottages sleep up to six people and are fully self-contained, with a kitchen including an electric oven, gas cooktop, microwave, toaster and kettle, plus crockery and utensils. There’s reverse-cycle air-conditioning, an ensuite bathroom with shower and hairdryer, TV and DVD player, Bluetooth speaker, and all linen supplied, along with complimentary tea, coffee and milk on arrival. Best of all, each cottage has a large verandah with a BBQ and outdoor setting, perfect for easy family dinners while you watch the sun sink into the sea.

Just back from the oceanfront, the Beach Cottages offer a slightly more sheltered option but still keep you close to the sand. These two-bedroom cottages sleep up to five guests and come with a fenced verandah and gate, which is ideal for families with younger children. Inside, you’ll find a self-contained kitchen with gas cooktop, microwave, toaster, kettle, crockery and cookware, plus reverse-cycle air-conditioning, an ensuite with shower, TV and DVD player, and all linen provided. A shared BBQ area sits nearby, so it still feels very social and relaxed.

For families who like the idea of cabin life mixed into the camping atmosphere, the Park Cabins with Ensuites are a great middle ground. Sleeping up to four people, they include one bedroom and an ensuite bathroom, reverse-cycle air-conditioning, a small kitchen with gas cooktop, microwave, toaster, kettle, bar fridge, basic cooking utensils and crockery, plus TV and DVD player. Linen is supplied and you’ll also find complimentary tea and coffee to get you started. Standard Park Cabins are a simpler, budget-friendly option. These sleep up to six guests and come with a double bed (linen supplied) and additional single beds, plus a bar fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, electric frypan, basic crockery, TV and DVD player. Guests in standard cabins use the park amenities blocks for bathrooms.

If camping is more your style, Hamelin Bay Holiday Park is a fantastic base. There are powered and unpowered sites in a range of sizes, including large spots suitable for caravans. Some sites are only metres from the beach, so you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves, while others sit under a canopy of shady peppermint trees or in more secluded bush pockets away from the busier areas of the park. The ground is mostly sand-based with a few grassy sections and plenty of mature trees, giving the park a natural, coastal bush feel. There are also several open areas that work beautifully for groups or ball games when the kids need to burn off extra energy. Campfires in approved fire pits are allowed from May to November, depending on weather and local fire restrictions, which makes winter and shoulder-season stays especially cosy.

Facilities are well thought out for families. There are three amenities blocks with hot showers, including accessible facilities in one block, along with two laundries equipped with washing machines, dryers and clotheslines. A camp kitchen provides a large fridge, toaster, kettle and microwave, while an undercover kitchen area has gas cooktops, washing-up sinks, tables and chairs. Free electric BBQs are dotted throughout the park, so it’s easy to throw together a simple dinner without packing half your kitchen from home. A small kiosk stocks essential grocery items such as milk and bread, confectionery, ice creams, bottled water, ice and fishing tackle, which is especially handy if you’re staying for a few days and don’t want to be constantly driving back into town.

Families with young children will appreciate the on-site Playground. It’s a sand-based play area featuring a small fort, slide and climbing elements. The Playground is in full sun for much of the day but doesn’t tend to get too hot thanks to the coastal breeze. Some sites are located very close to this play area, which can be a bit noisy at peak times but is perfect if you like to keep a close eye on little ones while still relaxing at your campsite.

The real star of the show at Hamelin Bay is, of course, the beach. A short walk from the holiday park brings you to a long stretch of white sand and clear turquoise water. The bay is generally shallow and calm, making it ideal for young families to paddle, swim, snorkel and play at the water’s edge. There’s a long boat ramp down the beach from the main car park near the campsite, popular with boat owners and also handy for launching kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The calm conditions are perfect for gentle family adventures on the water, from snorkelling in the shallows to exploring a little further offshore on a kayak.

Hamelin Bay is also famous for its resident stingrays. Wander down towards the old jetty or the boat ramp and you’ll often see dark shapes gliding gracefully through the shallows. These rays have become a major attraction and can frequently be spotted during summer and, less predictably, in the cooler months. While they appear quite tame and may approach people in search of fish scraps, it’s important to remember they are wild animals. Watching quietly from the shore or standing still while they glide past is a magical experience and much safer than trying to touch or chase them.

Sunsets here are simply spectacular. Many families head back down to the beach in the late afternoon for a final dip and to watch the sky turn shades of pink and orange over the Indian Ocean.

If your crew enjoys a bit of exploring, there are plenty of opportunities for beachcombing, rock scrambling and short coastal walks along this stunning section of the Cape to Cape coastline. For runners or keen walkers, early morning along the sand or nearby trails is a beautiful way to start the day.

One of the loveliest things about Hamelin Bay Holiday Park is the chance to properly switch off. The park actively encourages guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and take a break from phones and social media. Combined with its national park setting and easy access to the broader Margaret River Region, it makes a brilliant base for families who want both beach time and day trips to nearby caves, forests and other attractions, while still coming “home” to a relaxed, family-friendly park at the end of the day.

Whether you prefer a fully self-contained ocean view cottage, a simple cabin or a shady camping site close to the water, Hamelin Bay Holiday Park offers a classic WA coastal holiday with plenty of space for kids to roam, nature on your doorstep and memories that will last long after you’ve brushed the last grains of sand from the car.

Address: Caves Road, Hamelin Bay WA 6288, Australia
Opening hours: Please check the website for current reception, check-in and seasonal information.
Website: hamelinbayholidaypark.com.au

Hamelin Bay Holiday Park is nestled in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park in the Margaret River Region of South West Australia. The park offers ocean view cottages, ensuite cabins, powered and unpowered camping and caravan sites.

We had a 4 night stay over a long weekend and was our first camping trip to the stunning Margaret River/Augusta region.

The park itself is mainly sand based with a few grassy areas, there are plenty of mature trees for shade coverage and privacy. The sites are nicely spaced around and a few areas which accommodated small and large groups together in little nooks. The campsite is full of character with beautiful colourful flowers and bushland.

We had a large pitch for our pop-up caravan directly next to the main playground, which did get noisy at peak times but great if you have little one’s you want/need to keep a watchful eye on.

Plenty of open spaces for groups and ball games.

Ensuite cabins set amongst the trees and main camping area, so a great choice for those who want to experience a camping vibe in glamping style.

The campsite is located a few minutes walk from the sea and offers good sized cottages with amazing ocean views.

The playground is sand based and includes a simple fort, slide and climbing frame. It was in full sun for most of the day but didn’t get too hot.

Other camp facilities include a kiosk for essential grocery items, milk, break, confectionary, ice creams, bottled water, ice and fishing tackle.

The main attraction of Hamelin Bay is of course the stingrays. They are fairly tame and can be seen swimming up and down the shallow waters of the bay looking for food and attention. We saw many people touching them and chasing them along the shores but this is not recommended for obvious reasons. They are beautiful to watch but I must admit was a bit scared when I wanted to head for a swim and they were swimming directly underneath me!

There’s a long boat ramp down the beach from the main car park up at the campsite. The waters are very shallow and calm, ideal for canoeing, snorkelling, paddle boarding etc.

You can catch some amazing sunsets here, the kids just loved being down at the beach at this time for a late afternoon dip.

We did venture along the coast and rocks on a few adventure walks and also managed a stunning early morning run along the cape.