HUNDREDS of endangered whales strand themselves on a remote Australian beach for a SECOND day

Hundreds of whales have become stranded after washing ashore on Tasmania's west coast - two years after Australia's biggest ever stranding in the same spot.

The mass stranding on Wednesday occurred near Macquarie Harbour, south of Strahan, officials with the state's Department of Natural Resources and Environment confirmed. 

It comes just two days after 14 sperm whales died after they became stranded on King Island, off Tasmania's north-west coast, in a marine mystery that's baffled experts.

Those whales, which were all young males, were discovered on Monday afternoon at a local fishing spot. 

Wildlife biologists and a vet are still investigating how the pod became stranded - with theories ranging from warmer temperatures to seismic activity in the area.

Today's stranding comes two years after Australia's largest mass whale stranding, which also occurred near Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania.

More than 470 pilot whales were stranded off the coast as rescuers at the time battled to save the remaining few that were still alive.

Out of the 470 that washed ashore, at least 380 whales died.

The search effort was initially launched after 270 whales were spotted struggling in shallow water. 

Rescuers were hampered by the extremely cold temperatures and rain.  

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment said it was not unusual to see sperm whales in the King Island area where the first stranding occurred this week.

Parks and Wildlife Service staff are monitoring the scene. 

Swimmers and surfers have also been warned to avoid the west coast of King Island as the whale carcasses could attract sharks.