The marine stromatolites found in Hamelin Pool of Shark Bay are considered to be the best example of their kind found in the world. These ‘living fossils’ grow successfully and undisturbed because the sea water is twice as saline as usual sea water, due to a bar across the entrance of the bay and due to rapid evaporation of shallow water.

Managed by Yaringa Station, Gladstone Bay campground is located in the Shark Bay World Heritage area across 3 kms of pristine coastline, featuring a historic jetty, crystal clear water and an abundance of marine life. 

Gladstone used to be an important port from the early 1900’s when boats freighted wool and sandalwood, brought by teams of camels from the Murchison Station, to ports further south.  The 287 metre stone causeway led from a wool-store shed to a 77 metre timber jetty, the footings remains of which can be seen today.

There’s a lookout at Gladstone Bay, very dry and flat-as-a-tack topography for as far as the eye can see!

Carnavon Hotel for a barramundi dinner tonight. Amazing sunset as I was waiting for meal to arrive.

While I was at the hotel, I discovered that the WA Govt, as a test case, has placed limits on the amount of alcohol (1 litre of wine; 1 litre spirits; 11.25 litres of beeer/cider/premixed drinks) that residents can purchase in a day, in an attempt to reduce alcohol-related harm and violence in Carnarvon. No takeaway purchases on Sundays and Mondays and only between 12 noon and 7pm other days. Alcohol consumption in Canarvan is 2.4 times the state average. Wowsers, who knew crime was high in Carnarvon??? Glad I’m treating myself to a cabin in the Tourist Park.