There is really no denying that Hamelin Bay is an absolutely incredible piece of WA coastline. Whether you’ve explored Hamelin Bay before or you’re planning to visit for the first time, every visit feels like the first due to how naturally stunning and enchanting this piece of WA is.
Nowadays, Hamelin Bay is essentially world famous for its stunning appearance, as well as the friendly stingrays in the area. In fact, these stingrays will swim right up to you at the shore to say hello! You can also plenty to discover offshore and inland.
This gorgeous bay is only a short trip south of Margaret River, the famous tourist town. If you’re considering heading down to Hamelin Bay for a visit, here are all the things you need to know when visiting this area in the southwest of Western Australia.
Hamelin Bay, Western Australia
The Brief History of Hamelin Bay
Previously, Hamelin Bay Beach was a tiny port that serviced timber mills all over the southwest between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. However, people soon came to realise that the waters were far too difficult to navigate and travel. Due to the difficulty of the water, there are a plethora of wrecks in this area just off the coast.
Since usage of the port stopped, Hamelin Bay has been transformed into a famous tourist hotspot. This is due to the gorgeous beaches, endless snorkelling opportunities, fishing spots, diving areas, and in-depth visits and intimate moments with the resident stingrays. Sometimes, these stingrays are over 2 metres wide!
As one of Western Australia’s most popular destinations to visit, even travellers who have never heard of Hamelin Bay are beginning to visit.
How to Find Hamelin Bay WA
If you’re heading to Hamelin Bay from anywhere in Perth, you can usually expect the drive to be around 3 hours and 15 minutes when you take the Kwinana Freeway and Forrest Highway before you meet Bussell Highway. Once you’re there, you can head inland along Sues Road and then along Brockman Highway. From there, it joins back up to Caves Road.
If you’re heading out from the Margaret River area, simply drive down Caves Road on the coast or Bussell Highway on the inland road. You can even head further south and check out Augusta if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous.
What You Can Do at Hamelin Bay
Hamelin Bay is packed full of things to do! If you’d like an intimate and truly ‘Hamelin Bay-style experience’, you have to hop in the water and get up close and personal with some stingrays. Try to get there early before wind, crowds, and the tide come in. Aside from the stingrays, you can also park for the day and head out for a swim or snorkel.
Beach fishing is very popular here and you can also launch off the boat ramp and fish in the open waters. In Autumn, the beach is absolutely packed with recreational salmon fishermen who contribute over $331 million to the State’s economy every single year. You can also fish closer to shore in the shallows and catch things such as Herring, Skippy, and Whiting.
Further out in the ocean, you’ll find Pink Snapper, Samson Fish, Dhufish, and Queen Snapper. If you enjoy snorkelling, you can snorkel with stingrays and adventure throughout the various shipwrecks off the Hamelin Bay coastal area. These areas are great for diving or snorkelling in safer conditions.
If you enjoy a brisk walk, you can enjoy the Cape to Cape Track and take in some great views as you walk along. Bird spotters and flora enthusiasts will enjoy discovering many species in the area. There are even tours near the beautiful beach! Basically, the options are endless when you’re visiting Hamelin Bay.
Where to Stay in the Hamelin Bay Area
The Hamelin Bay Holiday Park is a great place to stay. There are plenty of camping sites, as well as self-contained accommodation here. The grounds are full of great amenities and facilities including a kiosk, playground, camp kitchen, barbecues, and washing facilities.
Just make sure you book ahead, as it is a very popular place to stay. If you’d prefer to avoid caravan parks, Augusta is nearby and full of great accommodation options to suit your needs and budget. You can find and compare all the available holiday rentals in Augusta on cozycozy.
Read our review of Hamelin Bay Holiday Park.
If you’d prefer to stay in a hotel, Margaret River is your best option. There are even some upmarket farmstays in Margaret River!
Hamelin Bay Weather
If you’re wondering about the weather in Hamelin Bay, you’ve come to the right place. The hottest months are from December to February in summer. On average the days reach 36°C. If you’re looking for warm weather that isn’t too extreme, March, April, and November still have some pretty warm days without being excessive.
The colder months are from June to August in Winter. The temperature, on average, at this time is around 21°C. Rainfall is at its maximum in May and August. The best time to visit is usually in November.
What You Shouldn’t Do When Visiting Hamelin Bay
When you’re visiting Hamelin Bay, the top rule is to ensure that you treat the local wildlife with respect. This is especially important when it comes to the stingrays. They will only come up to you if they are comfortable with your presence.
You need to ensure that you don’t force yourself upon them or harass them. Remember that this is their natural environment, and you are the visitor. You will also need to ensure that if you bring your canine companion, they remain on a leash or are able to be easily controlled.
Make sure you are wary around the limestone cliff areas as they may fall away at any time. Just stick to the marked paths and you will be fine. Aside from all of this, you can enjoy your time as you wish.
Last Bits of Advice
Finally, the lovely town of Augusta is only about 15 to 20 minutes a little further south of Hamelin Bay. We definitely recommend heading there and enjoying some time exploring. It is a lovely piece of the world.
If you visit during the time of the year when whales migrate, make sure you bring some binoculars and keep your eyes peeled!
Do you have any advice for people visiting Hamelin Bay? If so, let us know in the comments below!
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Nikita is a business owner based in the southwest of Western Australia. She owns two businesses, a professional writing business (NHW) and mental health brand (Self-Centred) that she has built from the ground up. Outside of her work life, Nikita enjoys spending time with her animals and studying.
Swim at Hamlin Bay then drive to Augusta and have a swim at Flinders bay and you would have swam in two oceans in one day. Indian Ocean and The Southern Ocean. Not many places on Earth you can do that with in 15 mins. I have been doing it for many years.