Ningaloo Reef & the Coral Coast

• Summer

  Dec—Feb

  33°C Avg. High

  30°C Avg. Low

• Winter

  Jun—Aug

  25°C Avg. High

  23°C Avg. Low

Exmouth

Brimming with adventure, the welcoming coastal town of Exmouth is your base to discover some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Jump into the ocean and swim with beautiful aquatic creatures, big and small. Or head to the surrounding coastline, as rugged as it is dramatic, for even more opportunities to get among nature.

A 13-hour drive or two-hour flight from Perth, Exmouth is the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park, the world’s largest fringing reef. Glimpse kaleidoscopic fish darting between the coral from a glass-bottom boat, or snorkel in the crystal-clear shallows of Turquoise Bay as turtles and manta rays gracefully glide past. Between March and August, swim with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. Closer to shore, spectacular Navy Pier is one of the world’s top land-based dive sites to immerse yourself in a dazzling array of marine life.

But the aquatic encounters don’t end there. From August to October, majestic humpback whales cruise the deep blue waters, while from November to March, nesting turtles make the beach their own. Swap shimmering turquoise waters for the rust-red terrain of Cape Range National Park, just a short drive south of Exmouth. Lace up your hiking boots and explore ancient cliffs and canyons, keeping an eye out for local wildlife like emus, red kangaroos, and spiny echidnas.

Coral Bay

With pristine white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, Coral Bay is an idyllic introduction to the breathtaking beauty of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu). It’s one of the few places on earth where you can come face-to-face with fascinating marine creatures like whale sharks. Or if landing a big one is more your thing, set off on a fishing charter to land your dream catch. It’s all here in the aquatic adventure of a lifetime.

Depending on the season, you’ll be accompanied by whale sharks (March to June) and humpback whales (June to November) as these gentle giants of the ocean glide over the Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu) during their seasonal migration. Year-round, spot manta rays, dugongs, and turtles. The marine adventures continue onboard a charter boat, as one of Western Australia’s premier fishing destination invites you to reel in bream, tuna, marlin, mahi-mahi, and sailfish.

When it’s time to wave goodbye to the underwater world, Coral Bay’s walking trails weave through parks and pristine beaches, past tidal pools, and turtle-nesting spots. Seeking a faster-paced adventure? A four-by-four beach buggy tour or a scenic flight above the clifftops offer exhilarating ways to soak up the southern coastline.

Monkey Mia & Shark Bay

A paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this beautiful slice of West Australian wilderness promises one unforgettable experience after another – and almost year-round sunshine. Walk into the warm blue-green waters of Monkey Mia to encounter friendly wild dolphins before uncovering the off-shore and on-land wonders of the Shark Bay World Heritage area (Gathaagudu Gutharraguda).

Leave the city energy of Perth behind and enter the vivid and varied landscape of Shark Bay (Gathaagudu Gutharraguda) – it’s a two-hour flight or an eight-hour drive from the capital city to Denham, an ideal base from which to explore the area. Get a sense of what the world might once have looked like while wandering between 3,500-million-year-old stromatolites at Hamelin Pool and strolling along Shell Beach, a rare stretch of coastline formed entirely of tiny white shells.

With your camera poised for more picture-perfect views, continue to Francois Peron National Park for a taste of the outback. Follow rugged driving routes in a four-wheel drive or set off on a self-guided walking trail and marvel as the red earth collides with bright white sand and turquoise-blue waters. A natural paradise, Shark Bay (Gathaagudu Gutharraguda) presents plenty of opportunities to admire rare plants, spot colourful birds and encounter wild animals on land and in the water. At Monkey Mia, frolicking wild dolphins greet their visitors by swimming up to the shore. Survey the scenery from Eagle Bluff and, when it’s time to make a splash, go snorkelling in the shallow waters or hop on a boat cruise in search of marine life including turtles and manta rays.

Geraldton

Soak up Geraldton’s (Jambinu’s) stunning seascapes and enjoy exhilarating outdoor adventures amid the beauty of the remote Abrolhos Islands. Proudly displaying its rich maritime and Aboriginal heritage at every turn, Geraldton (Jambinu) is a lively coastal city inviting adventure seekers, fishing fanatics and food lovers alike to explore its myriad attractions. From kitesurfing to snorkelling, you can create an activity-packed itinerary in Geraldton (Jambinu), a five-hour drive or a one-hour flight north from Perth. Kickstart your explorations by boarding a diving or snorkelling charter to the Abrolhos Islands or enjoy an aerial view of these idyllic coral-fringed islands during a scenic flight.

Geraldton’s (Jambinu’s) countryside bursts into bloom between July and October, so step away from the coast’s world-class beaches and discover wildflower meadows erupting with pink, white and yellow everlastings. Wearing its Aboriginal, maritime, and Spanish missionary history firmly on its sleeve, Geraldton (Jambinu) bursts with cultural attractions. Get acquainted with its rich past by paying a visit to the Museum of Geraldton for stories of shipwrecks, gaze up at the awe-inspiring architecture of St Francis Xavier Cathedral, and embark on the Yamaji Drive Trail, which connects a number of intriguing heritage sites. Having worked up an appetite, Geraldton’s (Jambinu’s) buzzing food and drink scene awaits. From early-morning coffee to evening cocktails, local produce shines on restaurant and cafe menus across the city.

Kalbarri

Chart a course along the Murchison River for a captivating view into Kalbarri’s (Wurdimarlu’s) dramatic landscapes. Towering coastal cliffs and white-sand beaches provide a breathtaking backdrop to a range of watersport adventures, while the region’s sprawling national parks serve up sky-high views of the rugged outback. With more than 183,000 hectares of national park to explore, Kalbarri (Wurdimarlu) is a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts. Visit this warm and sunny oceanside destination – a six-and-a-half-hour drive north from Perth – and surround yourself with unforgettable scenery from coastline to countryside.

Whether you explore on foot or paddle along the Murchison River in a kayak, you can’t help but feel dwarfed by the magnitude of Kalbarri National Park’s red-and-white sandstone gorges, millions of years in the making. Gaze through the wind-eroded Nature’s Window – just one of the many ancient rock formations that dot the landscape – and marvel at the 200-kilometre expanse of Zuytdorp Cliffs from the lookout at Red Bluff.

A little further inland, you’ll find more Instagram-worthy scenes at Port Gregory’s Hutt Lagoon, whose mind-blowing bubblegum pink waters must be seen to be believed. Admire the water from the shore or take a scenic flight to view the lake’s eye-catching contrast with the azure blue Indian Ocean. An area of incredible natural beauty year-round, Kalbarri (Wurdimarlu) truly comes alive during wildflower season. From July to October, hundreds of varieties of Western Australian flora transform the outback into a sea of colour. Witness this magnificent view 100 metres above ground from the Kalbarri Skywalk, which perches over the rim of the Murchison River Gorge.

• The best time to visit Ningaloo Reef is during the dry season from April to October when the weather is mild, and the waters are calm and clear. This period also coincides with the peak whale shark and manta ray seasons.
• Experience the magic of turtle nesting and hatching season from November to March. Join guided tours to witness female turtles laying their eggs on the beach at night and hatchlings making their way to the ocean.