Australia's Coral Coast

INDIAN OCEAN DRIVE

Nambung National Park, near the town of Cervantes, is home to the Pinnacles - spears of limestone rising from the lunar landscape of the golden desert which make a spectacular sight especially at sunset.

425kms north of Perth and easily accessed by air and coach services, Geraldton is the administrative centre for the region and home to a thriving rock lobster industry. Offshore, the Abrolhos Islands form a unique coral reef that provides an aquatic paradise for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing, with warm, clear waters and prolific marine and birdlife. The Batavia Coast is rich in history, dating back to 1629 when the Dutch ship Batavia was wrecked on the Abrolhos Islands.

The history of WA’s farming pioneers and the hardships they faced is evident in museums in inland towns and many of the small coastal towns have stretches of pure white sand beaches and clear water for swimming and surfing.

Kalbarri is a popular winter holiday destination on the winding banks of the Murchison River adjacent to Kalbarri National Park. With a mild climate and beautiful beaches it’s a haven for swimming, canoeing, fishing and bushwalking and offers excellent facilities for visitors. Towns in the region include Dongara and Port Denison, Jurien, Cervantes, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Eneabba and Dandaragan.

NINGALOO REEF and the SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE AREA

Discover beautiful extremes and a rugged coastline, brilliant blue water and red sunsets - the perfect backdrops for you to experience the rare scenery of the land. Many of the most scenic natural areas in the region are national parks, marine parks and reserves, which provide protected areas for unique and sometimes endangered species of flora and fauna. The stretch of coastline between Shark Bay and North West Cape teems with marine life and exciting water based attractions. The sub-tropical climate in this region is milder than the tropical areas further north with no wet season and less extremes in temperature, providing a perfect year-round environment.

Shark Bay is one of only a handful of areas in the world that meet the criteria for World Heritage Area listing. The crystal clear shallow waters of the marine park give visitors the opportunity to view coral reefs, dugongs, manta rays, turtles and humpback whales in the vast seagrass meadows. Boat cruise operators provide opportunities for diving and snorkelling and scenic air tours are available. Monkey Mia is world-renowned for the friendly bottlenose dolphins which visit the shores daily, allowing visitors an opportunity to view them at close quarters. Denham is the most western town in Australia. Once an important pearling town, it is the centre of Shark Bay’s tourism and fishing industries.

Dirk Hartog Island at the western boundary of the World Heritage Area is one of the last untouched wilderness areas in Western Australia with unique flora, fauna and bird life. The island is accessible by boat from the mainland and a range of ecotours to see wildflowers and birds is available.

Carnarvon is a busy commercial centre and makes a popular base from which to explore the region. Fertile, irrigated plantations produce export crops of bananas, mangoes, stone and citrus fruits and tomatoes. Fishing and prawning industries contribute to the prosperity of the area. The coastline offers excellent fishing, swimming, surfing and coral viewing spots. Just north of the township powerful ocean waves create spectacular blowholes.

Situated between the rugged mountain ranges of Cape Range National Park and the spectacular Ningaloo Marine Park, Exmouth is a vibrant, growing town whilst adjacent to the southern tip of the park, Coral Bay has sheltered bays where children can swim safely amongst tropical reef fish and coral gardens only metres from the shore. This region is a year-round holiday destination with beaches that are ideal for diving and fishing and delicious local seafood that is a highlight at the growing number of restaurants.

Regular air and coach services operate from Perth and tour operators provide comprehensive scenic air, coach and 4WD tours and safaris to places of interest. Towns in the region include Carnarvon, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Denham, Exmouth and Monkey Mia.