Hamelin Bay is the sheltered cove 20 minutes south of Margaret River township — bay shape and an offshore reef keep it calmer than the surf coast either side. Old jetty ruins and shipwrecks give structure the bare sand would never have; stingrays cruise the shallows like they own the place (they do); and the autumn salmon run puts serious schools on the beach in a tight Mar–May window. A genuine destination bay, not just another stop on the way.

Fish the beach and boat ramp area straight onto the sand — small baits and metal slugs for herring, skippy, tarwhine and sand whiting year-round. Autumn (Mar–May specifically) is salmon time: metal slugs and poppers cast into the schools, retrieved fast. Work squid jigs along the reef edges and the old jetty ruins at night. For mulloway and tailor, fish the deeper gutters at dusk into dark with mulies or mullet strips.

Australian salmon (Mar–May migration — the headline), tailor (autumn), herring, skippy, tarwhine (year-round bread-and-butter), sand whiting in summer, squid year-round around the ruins and reef, mulloway and jumbo tailor in the deeper gutters. Offshore from the ramp: pink snapper, samson, yellowtail kingfish.

West Coast Bioregion demersal closures apply — land-based snapper is permitted outside spawning closures; boat demersal currently closed per DPIRD. The stingrays aren't aggressive but they're there — watch where you step when wading. Holiday park and campsites fill on long weekends, so book ahead. Limited services in the bay itself; fuel up and buy bait in Augusta or Margaret River before committing.