Lake Thetis and Stromatolites, Nambung National Park, WA

Lake Thetis and Stromatolites, Nambung National Park, WA

Lake Thetis is a saline coastal lake in the Nambung National Park in mid-region of Western Australia. The lake is situated east of the small town of Cervantes, 200 km north of Perth. It is 2 km inland from the Indian Ocean, on a Quaternary limestone pavement. The lake is one of only a few places in the world with living marine stromatolites, or 'Living fossils'. The microbes that build stromatolites are a species of cyanobacteria. (A more extensive and famous area of Stromatolites is Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay will be introduced later on my blog.)

The micro-organisms of Lake Thetis resemble the earliest forms of life on Earth. The discovery of modern examples helped scientists to understand the significance of micro-organisms in the environment and unravel the long history of life on Earth.

Lake Thetis Loop Trail

An easy 1.5 km trail around the shores of the lake provides opportunities to see and learn about these communities known as blister mats and Stromatolites and the interesting environment that supports them. The first 300 m of boardwalk passes the best examples of Stromatolites in the lake. Continuing along the trail around the lake to look for resident waterbirds and migratory shorebirds.

Hangover Bay (Nambung National Park)