In the 1950s the local camping area utilised the shells of a large number of decommissioned Perth trams.

None remain, and in addition to unpowered and powered camp sites there are now a small number of on-site cabins and a handful of chalets with modern facilities.

The Western Australian Museum's database of wrecks[7] includes numerous vessels that foundered in or near Hamelin Bay.

[8][9] Wrecks include: Hamelin Bay and environs have been the site of a number of whale strandings, some of which are listed below: Attempts to save the mammals have usually failed.

In addition to concerns for the animals themselves, the strandings are considered to increase the risk of shark attack, due to the attraction of the dead whales.