Shark Bay is home to a tiny cockle, Fragum erugatum, so prolific in Hamelin Pool and L’haridon Bight that in some places they have compacted and cemented into solid masses known as coquina.

A number of buildings in Shark Bay were built from blocks cut out of the coquina and you can see one of the quarry sites along the Boolagoorda trail. When in Denham take a close look at the Old Pearler Restaurant, St Andrew’s Church, and parts of the Shark Bay Hotel.

Cutting coquina blocks from a quarry
Cutting coquina blocks from a quarry