AROUND NINGALOO COAST
Around Ningaloo Coast, there are many spectacular sites, national parks and historical towns. When you arrive at Ningaloo, be sure to visit some of these brilliant places in the world. Some of the major tourists destinations and towns are listed below.
TOWN OF EXMOUTH
Established in 1967, the town of Exmouth was originally built to support the nearby US Naval communications base. With a current permanent populatons of only 2400, the remote town is a popular tourist destination peaking at 6000 people during the summer months of the year. Due the fact that Exmouth boasts a beautiful climate, excellent fishing, both marine and terrestrial national park which encompass one of the few fringing coral reefs on the west coast of a continent in the world with some of the most magnificent diving and snorkeling conditions, it's a paradise for both land based tourists as well as diving enthusiasts. Below are a list of the facilities at Exmouth:
Tours:
- Capricorn Kayak tours
- Kings Ningaloo Reef tours
- Ningaloo Ecology cruises
- Ningaloo Whaleshark-N-dive
- Montebello Island Safaris
Sleeping:
- Ningaloo Lodge
- Exmouth Ningaloo Caravan & Holiday Resort
- Exmouth Cape Holiday Park
- Potshot Hotel Resort
- Novotel Ningaloo Resort
- Exmouth Holiday Accommodation/ Ray White
Eating and drinking:
- Whalers Restaurant
- Ningaloo Health
- Mantaray's Bar and Brasserie
- Pinnochio
- Grace's Tavern
- Exmouth Shopping Centre (Many take-away shops, bakery and supermarkets)
Shopping:
- Exmouth Shopping centre
- Exmouth Fish Market
Informational and Public Services:
- Department for environment and Conservation
- Exmouth General District Hospital
- Exmouth Library
- Banks such as ANZ, Bank of QLD, Westpac, Commenwealth and St George
- Emergency services/ departments (Police, ambulance, fire and marine emergency services)
- Post office
- Exmouth Visitor Centre
- Town Major
Getting there and away:
- Learmonth Airport
- Town bus services
- Interstate bus services
- Greyhound
- Red Earth Safaris bus services (Cheap bus services between Exmouth and Perth.
Getting around Exmouth:
- Airport Shuttle Buses
- Town buses
- Town Taxi Services
- Exmouth boat and marine vessel hires
- Exmouth road vehicle hires
Other facilities:
- Real estate agent- Ray White
- Golf course
- Tennis Courts
- Swimming pool
- Schools
- RSL Club
- Boat Habour
TOWN OF CORAL BAY
The tiny seaside village of Coral Bay lies just North of the Tropic of Capricorn and its beautiful location and good facilities male it one of the easiest places to access the exquisite Ningaloo marine park. The town consists of just one street and a sweeping white-sand beach on Bills Bay where you can swim and snorkel close to shore. The settlement of Coral Bay is small compared to Exmouth. Coral Bay only has a few accommodation, one restaurant and not many other shops. Although it is perhaps the best place to access Ningaloo Marine Park.Below are a list of facilities at Coral Bay:
Tours:
- Coral Bay Adventures
- Ningaloo Reef Dive
- Ningaloo Kayak Adventures
- Coral Coast Tours
- Sail Ningaloo
Sleeping and Eating:
- Ningaloo Club
- Peoples Caravan Park Village
- Fins Cafe
- Ningaloo Reef Resort
- Reef Cafe
- Coral Bay Shopping Centre (Bakery and small shops- much more expensive than Exmouth)
Getting there:
- Greyhound bus services
- Private services
- Learmonth Airport
OTHER TOWNS
Along the lengh of the Ningaloo Coast, scatters many small towns. These include Learmonth, Ningaloo and North West Cape. Some of the town facilities listed above are listed below:
Learmonth:
- Learmonth Airport
- Learmonth Budget Car and Truck Rentals
Ningaloo:
- Pontoon
- Toilets
No other facilities
North West Cape:
- Golden Chain Sea Breeze Resort
- Toilets
- 2 small shops
Tourist Attraction Nearby
Cape Range National Park
Situated on the west side of the North West Cape is Cape Range National Park, a spectacular place of rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons and 50km of pristine beaches.
The park covers some 50,581 hectares and its northern boundary is just 40km from Exmouth. Wildlife is abundant with a variety of birds, emus, euros and red kangaroos commonly sighted. Cape Range offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors interested in the natural environment.
In ancient times the range was isolated as an island as rising sea levels inundated lower lying areas. As a result of this geographic isolation there are some species of plants and animals that are endemic to the area, including the red centred variety of the Sturt Desert Pea. Surveys have recorded over 630 species of flowering plants on the peninsula of Cape Range National Park. This is a surprisingly high number for an arid limestone area. Over 700 caves are catalogued in the area and it is likely that many remain undiscovered. There are numerous gorges and sanctuary areas that provide a haven for wildlife and contain often rare and unusual flora. A beautiful array of wildflowers can be seen in late winter including Sturt Desert Peas and the beautiful Bird Flower.
WEST SIDE:
Mangrove Bay:
This sanctuary zone area includes a
bird hide which overlooks a lagoon area. A variety of birds roost in the
lagoon at high tide and many feed on small fish and other marine life
in the shallow waters. Closer inspection may reveal an Osprey or
Brahminy Kite perched above surveying the coastline. During the summer
months many migratory birds can be observed in the area.
Milyering Visitor Centre:
Milyering, the National Park
Visitor Centre is 52km from Exmouth. Here interpretive displays,
audio-visual facilities and a library containing a wealth of information
on the National and Marine Parks are on hand to help visitors
appreciate the natural environment. National Park rangers are on site to
assist with enquiries.
Mandu Mandu Gorge:
A 3km walking trail allows access
into this dry gorge. The trail starts from the end of the Mandu Mandu
track and follows the northern ridge of the gorge, offering stunning
panoramic views. The trail leads down into the creek bed from where you
follow the base of the gorge back to the car park.
Yardie Creek
The sealed road from Exmouth through Cape
Range National Park ends at Yardie Creek. Centuries of erosion have
formed a spectacular multi-coloured gorge. Hidden within the safety of
the gorge walls is a colony of black-footed rock wallabies. Yardie is
the only gorge in the area with permanent water however this is salt
water fed from the ocean.
CAMPING:
There are in excess of 112 camping bays in the Cape Range National
Park, most of which are accessible by conventional vehicle. These sites
offer easy access to the coast for swimming, snorkelling, fishing and
other activities. Caravans and larger vehicles are welcome, however
there are few facilities - no power, showers or cooking facilities. Many
of the sites have toilets and picnic tables but you must be fully
self-sufficient.
EAST SIDE:
Shothole Canyon Road
This access road to Shothole Canyon turns off the Minilya Exmouth Road 14km south of Exmouth. The canyon was named after the shotholes left by the explosive charge fixed to set up miniature earthquakes for seismographic studies during the oil searches in the 1950’s. The gravel road meanders over dry creek beds along the gorge floor and offers close examination of the colourful rock layers of the sheer canyon walls. At the end of the 15km road there is a picnic area and a short walking trail.
Charles Knife Canyon
This scenic drive turns west off
the Minilya Exmouth Road 21klm south of town. The mostly gravel road
follows the razor-backed ridges of the range and provides breathtaking
downward views into the stark multicoloured gorges. There are several
lookout points that provide fantastic photo opportunities and a marked
walking trail from Thomas Carter Lookout.
Caution should be taken
When bushwalking in the canyon areas as walls are steep and can be dangerous due to loose surfaces. Don’t go on your own - always let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Cave areas are unsafe due to oxygen deficiency - for your own safety please remain on existing walking trails. Avoid walking in the middle of the day and always carry water as there is almost no surface water in Cape Range.
Other beaches and attractions:
Along the coastline of Ningaloo, there are many well-known beaches and Bays. These include Turquiose Bay, Sandy Bay and T-bone Bay. To find out more information about these spectacular bay, please go to the
