WESTERN A U S T R A L I A ’ S CORAL COAST

Snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef

Home to awesome marine life, endless white sandy beaches and the warm, turquoise Indian Ocean, this region boasts two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites; Ningaloo Marine Park (Nyinggulu) and Shark Bay (Gathaagudu).

Experience:

• Snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef

Where the outback meets the reef, step off the beach and into an underwater wonderland of the world’s largest fringing reef, the traditional lands of the Baiyungu, Jinigudira and Thalanyji people. Over 300 kilometres long, the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef is an absolute must do when visiting Exmouth, Coral Bay or the ocean-side pastoral stations north of Carnarvon. Dive into the pristine turquoise waters to discover more than 500 species of tropical fish and 220 species of colourful coral in one of the most biologically diverse marine environments on the planet.

• Swimming with gentle giants

Join a whale shark tour from Exmouth or Coral Bay for the ultimate bucketlist wildlife encounter — swimming with the world’s largest fish. Whale sharks visit Ningaloo Reef from midMarch to the end of July; while gentle humpback whales visit from July to October. Year round, you can also swim with acrobatic manta rays, while keeping an eye out for green and loggerhead turtles. 

• Friendly dolphins and a World Heritage-listed area 

One of the world’s most reliable places for witnessing wild dolphins — the curious bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia have been playing on the shores of Malgana country for over 40 years. While in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, you can also spot sea turtles and dugongs, admire the world’s oldest and largest living fossils — Hamelin Pool’s stromatolites — and fish, snorkel and dive. Don’t miss a trip into Francois Peron National Park, where striking red desert cliffs meet the turquoise sea. 

• Wildflowers and pink waters

Western Australia wildflower country

Head inland to explore some of Western Australia’s most magnificent wildflower country, particularly between July and October when carpets of blooms paint the landscapes in a kaleidoscope of colour. While spotting some of WA’s 12,000 wildflower species, check out other dreamy colours at Hutt Lagoon near Port Gregory, where waters could be red, bubble-gum pink or lilac depending on the conditions. The lagoon is located between other Coral Coast highlights — the seaside city of Geraldton (Jambinu) and its diving, snorkelling and fishing drawcard, the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park. 

• Extraordinary rock formations

Experience an otherworldly landscape of incredible limestone spires rising eerily from the sand at the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. Further up the coast, discover the town of Kalbarri (Wurdimarlu) in the Yamatji region, surrounded by soaring coastal cliffs and the incredible river gorges in Kalbarrri National Park. Step out onto the 100-metre high, see-through Kalbarri Skywalk (Kaju Yatka) for breath-taking and uninterrupted views beyond the rim of the Murchison River Gorge. Follow the many walking trails and take a photo through the famous Nature’s Window, hike along the dramatic red sandstone gorges or canoe along the Murchison River to experience the depths and heights of the 400 millionyear-old landscapes.

*Source: Tourism Western Australia, info@westernaustralia.com
https://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/