29/06/2026
Scattered across the shallow waters of Hamelin Pool are some of the oldest living organisms on Earth. These strange rock like structures are called stromatolites, living colonies of microorganisms that have existed in similar forms for more than 3.5 billion years. Long before dinosaurs, trees, or even animals existed, these ancient life forms were already thriving and helping produce the oxygen that transformed Earth's atmosphere.
Today, Hamelin Pool in Western Australia's Shark Bay World Heritage Area is one of the few places on the planet where living stromatolites can still be seen in the wild. The bay's exceptionally salty water protects them from predators, allowing these remarkable organisms to continue growing just as they have for billions of years. Standing beside them is like looking back to the earliest chapter of life on Earth, making Hamelin Pool one of Australia's most extraordinary natural wonders.
