Frequently asked questions
Here you'll find answers to some of our frequently asked questions.
What is the best time to visit the Coral Coast?
Western Australia's Coral Coast has the ideal weather and climate for holidaying all year round. Covering approximately 1,200 kilometres of coastline from Cervantes to Exmouth, the region enjoys a Mediterranean climate in the south and a sub tropical climate in the north.
When can you swim with the whale sharks, and from where?
Whale sharks congregate in the
Ningaloo Marine Park every year between mid March and mid July, following the mass spawning of coral. Tours depart daily during season from
Coral Bay and
Exmouth.
Why is Shark Bay World Heritage Listed?
Shark Bay meets all four natural criteria for World Heritage status. The
Shark Bay World Heritage Area is one of only 20 places in the world to meet all four of the natural criteria:
Natural beauty
Earth’s history
Ecological processes
Biological diversity
The region’s assets contributing to meeting these four criteria include the vast seagrass meadows that feed and shelter globally endangered species, some of the world’s oldest examples of stromatolites that thrive in the saline waters, incredible contrasting scenery of rust red cliffs giving way to stark white sand and crystal blue waters. Shark Bay is the last stronghold for five of the world’s critically endangered mammals.
Can you swim with the dolphins at Monkey Mia?
Visitors to the shores of Monkey Mia are asked not to touch the dolphins or to swim with them. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) established Monkey Mia as a marine reserve in 1990 to protect the dolphins and ensure they are not stressed or threatened. A small stretch of beach is now a designated interaction area and helps protect the dolphins, while allowing selected visitors to feed them during designated feeding times. However, visitors are not allowed to access this designated area at any other time of the day, particularly to swim. The local DEC ranger can advise you of feeding times and guide you to designated areas where you can swim.
When can you see wildflowers along Australia’s Coral Coast?
Wildflowers can be viewed year round along Australia’s Coral Coast, although many species blossom between July and October each year. As the wildflowers are a natural occurrence, exact times they flower differ each year, although flowers generally start to bloom in the north earlier and make their way down the coast as the days start to warm up.
Is the road into the Pinnacles Desert sealed?
The road into Nambung National Park is sealed and therefore accessible by any vehicle. The sealed road ends at a carpark at the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre. From here, you can walk just a short distance to the Pinnacles. Alternatively, if you can take your car off sealed roads, you may like to drive through the Pinnacles along the designated track.
Is the road into Kalbarri National Park sealed?
Roads into Kalbarri National Park are unsealed, although they are suitable for most vehicles. If you are travelling in a hire car, be sure to check that your hire policy allows travel on unsealed roads.
How long does it take to drive to Australia’s Coral Coast from Perth?
Australia’s Coral Coast starts just two hours drive north of Perth near Cervantes. The region stretches north along 1100 kilometres of coastline, finishing in Exmouth. It takes roughly 15 hours to drive to Exmouth from Perth.
How much of Australia’s Coral Coast can I see in three days?
How much of the Coral Coast you can explore depends on whether you plan to drive, take a tour or fly to a destination. Tours depart Perth several times per week to the Coral Coast, with a three-day tour taking you as far as Shark Bay where you can meet the famous Monkey Mia dolphins. Fly/stay packages are also available in the main service centres of the region including Geraldton, Kalbarri, Shark Bay, Carnarvon and Ningaloo.
What is the significance of the HMAS Sydney II Memorial?
The HMAS Sydney II Memorial commemorates the 645 Australian sailors who lost their lives defending our coastline in World War II. The HMAS Sydney II and the Kormoran engaged in a battle off the Midwest Coast of Western Australia, ending with both ships sinking near Shark Bay. The memorial's dome consists of 645 silver seagulls, each of which representing a sailor who lost his or her life.