Australia's Coral Coast

Big Lagoon, Shark Bay World Heritage Area, WA.  Photo credit: Copyright Tourism Western Australia

Australia’s Coral Coast

The local aboriginal tribes have lived in this land of reefs, gorges and caves for more than 45,000 years. Yet compared to some of the residents (see sidebar), they’ve only just arrived. Discover a new scale of history on Australia’s Coral Coast.

 

 

Natural attractions are the Coral Coast’s main draw. The local population may be only 50,000 but every year those numbers are swollen by millions of tourists. They come for the most valuable fishing in Australia. They come for a perpetually warm climate. They come for adventure.

Things to do on the Coral Coast

Geraldton
The Coral Coast’s main hub and tourist centre is on the rightly renowned Batavia Coast. It buzzes to the sound of boats and jet-skis and if you’re looking for water-based activities, you’ll find a near infinite choice.

The best surfing and windsurfing is here, and whether you choose Back Beach, Sunset Beach or Point Moore you can’t go wrong.

 

Also in Geraldton:
•    The Batavia Coast Marina: Soaking up the sun doesn’t get much more relaxing than this. A picturesque walk along the water takes you past homes you’ll want to live in, boats you want to sail in and cafes at the water’s edge you’ll want to sample. Well, at least you can do the latter.
•   Western Australian Museum is brilliant. The area’s relationship with the sea is long, rich, and at times deadly. The museum packs all of it and more into its exhibitions and tours.
•    The Batavia Longboat Replica: The original longboat once made it all the way to Java. You won’t be doing anything quite as adventurous, but keen sailors can still board it and explore.
•    National Memorial to the HMS Sydney II: When the ship went down off the coast of Western Australia in WWII all 645 hands were lost. This poignant place is a fine tribute to those who died.
•    Houtman Abrolhos Islands: A must-do. Swim, dive, fish or just relax amidst the 122 islands stretching across 100km of sea. The beaches are glorious and the wildlife is fantastic (most notably dolphins and seahorses). You’ll find tours and scenic flights from Geraldton. Just make sure you get here.
•    Chapman Valley: Just 20 minutes out of Geraldton, find the rather eclectic mix of winery, body products (at Lavender Valley Farm) and 200 species of bird.

 

Greenough
South of Geraldton is the charming settlement of Greenough. It’s primarily a place to relax and unwind, but there’s still plenty here to explore:
•    Greenough River Mouth: Some brilliant water sports, year-round surfing, and a lovely beach.
•    Greenough Wildlife and Bird Park: The kangaroos, dingoes, and snakes here have all been rescued.
•    Greenough’s leaning trees: Sounds silly, but you’ll be unable to resist photographing the bizarre trees, blown into archways by coastal winds.

 

Port Denison and Dongara
Pretty towns with lovely beaches and walking trails, all of which demand some of your time for a gentle stroll. There are golf courses and marinas too.

 

Coral Bay
One of the most popular holiday destinations in Western Australia, and it’s not hard to see why. This is a marine paradise, with manta rays flapping lazily in the sunlight, mighty whale sharks that don’t seem to mind if you swim with them, and amazing coral gardens just metres from the beach. A must-do.

 

Ningaloo Marine Park
Another of the regions (and the country’s) gems is one of the most incredible reefs in the world. The Ningaloo teems with wildlife. Swim with the biggest sharks in the world (whale sharks) as well as turtles, dugong, manta rays, and… well, the variety seems almost infinite. We’re saying this a lot about the Coral Coast, but it’s another must-do. Don’t miss it!

 

Cape Range National Park
Here you can Hire a 4WD and explore the huge gorges and canyons, the rugged limestone ranges, and the gorgeous beaches that line the coast.

 

Mount Augustus National Park
Mt Augustus is the world’s tallest monocline (an exposed layer of rock that really belongs to the layer beneath). It’s known as Burringurrah by the local aboriginal people, is twice the size of Uluru, and is some 1,650 million years old. Not to be confused with the world’s largest monolith (one big rock) which is Uluru. And you thought this was just a travel site.

 

Shark Bay World Heritage Area
When the area was awarded its status in 1991 it was the first World Heritage Site in Western Australia. Like so much of the coast it’s alive with Monkey Mia dolphins, turtles, and whales. Here’s what else you can find:

  • Shell Beach: A beach made of tiny shells. It’s an astonishing 10m deep in some areas and stretches for over 100km.
  • Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre, Denham: Learn about the area, or take a scenic flight over the region for some breathtaking views.

 

Steep Point
Australia’s most westerly point is only accessible by 4WD and bringing your own supplies is absolutely essential. Once you’re here, you’ll be able to see the stunning Zuytdorp Cliffs, towering 170m over the ocean below.

 

Dirk Hatog Island
Western Australia’s largest island is a place of seclusion and relaxation. The beaches are private and the fishing, walking and diving are just wonderful. Booking is essential for boat tours and air trips. You’ll definitely want to do one, if not both.

 

Kalbarri National Park
One of the most spectacular national parks in Australia offers gorge walks, lookout points, and the occasional opportunity to abseil down some of the park’s rock faces.

 

Nambung National Park and Pinnacles
Forgive us for saying this is yet another ‘must-do’ (Western Australia is full of them), but the Pinnacles Desert is moody, magnificent and the sort of place you can scarcely believe isn’t manmade. Yet the thousands of limestone pillars that punch through the sand are entirely natural, millions of years old, and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

 

Stockyard Gully National Park, nr Leeman
The limestone caves beneath the park may link underground river systems but there’s precious little water up top. You’ll need a 4WD to explore properly, and do make sure you bring plenty of water with you.

 

Badgingarra area
The plant life of the region is gorgeous, particularly during spring. That’s the best time to take one of the trails and explore a landscape that’s bursting into life.

 

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Life on earth?

 

About half an hour from Denham you’ll find the Hamelin Pool. Sitting in the water are what can only be described as large rocky blobs. To scientists, they’re one of the most precious things on earth.

These are stromatolites, ‘living fossils’ created by microbes over billions of years.

At 3.5 billion years old (give or take) they are the oldest living creature on earth. So as you take a photo, do bear in mind that you’re snapping a very, very distant ancestor.

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