Top things to do in Australia’s Coral Coast
Here are some of the key attractions and things to see and do in Australia's Coral Coast - the must do's to help you plan your Coral Coast itinerary and make the most of your visit. Whether you're visiting for a week or touring for a month or two, make sure you add a few or all of these to your itinerary:
Pinnacles of Nambung National Park
A visit to Australia’s Nambung National Park and the Pinnacles is a must. These amazing natural limestone structures, some standing as high as six metres, were formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and left deposits of seashells.
Swim with Ningaloo's Big Three
Ningaloo Reef is the only place in the world where you can swim with whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays in one location. Join a mega-fauna tour leaving from Exmouth or Coral Bay to experience the ultimate wildlife encounters - right up there with some of the top things to do in Australia.
- Swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, between March and July.
- Swim with humpback whales between July and October.
- Swim with manta rays year-round from Coral Bay.
The Coral Coast's wildflower trails lead you through some of the Western Australia’s most breathtaking wildflower country. Wildflower season is between late-July and September.=. Read more about the must-do wildflower trails of Australia’s Coral Coast.
The friendly wild bottlenose dolphins have been swimming to Monkey Mia’s shores to interact with humans for over 60 years. They often visit up to three times a day – no wonder it’s renowned as one of the best and most reliable places for dolphin interaction in the world.
Between Geraldton and Kalbarri in the tiny town of Port Gregory, you'll find our unique Pink Lake (aka Hutt Lagoon). The lake changes colour depending on the day, time of year and cloud cover. Learn more from this article on the best time to visit.
Journey to the Abrolhos Islands
The Abrolhos Islands and their surrounding coral reef communities from one of Western Australia's most unique marine areas. The Abrolhos Islands archipelago lies roughly 60 kilometres west of Geraldton. Explore on day tour via ferry, scenic flight or a multi-day liveaboard cruise.
If you’re visiting Exmouth, Coral Bay or the oceanside stations north of Carnarvon, this is an absolute must do. Australia’s Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef and regarded as one of the last great ocean paradises on Earth. You can access this underwater wonderland by simply stepping off the beach.
Be it dreamtime stories, legends, Indigenous art or local culture, there are multiple ways to immerse yourself in Indigenous culture in the Coral Coast. Drive the Yamaji Drive Trail in Greater Geraldton and surrounds; see the landscape of Gathaagudu (Shark Bay) through the eyes of your local Malgana tour guide, exploring country, playing the didgeridoo and conch shell and cooking up red mullet; learn the history of the Nanda people at Kalbarri Skywalk; discover the culture, history and heritage of the Gascoyne region's 5 language groups at Carnarvon's Gwoonwardu Mia, Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage & Cultural Centre; or meet local artists in residence at Yamaji Art Centre in Geraldton or The Storytellers - Keepers of the Dreaming in Northampton.
Discover otherworldly landscapes, from the depths and heights of river gorges and sea cliffs to the floral beauty of vast, rolling sandplains. The Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park, biodiversity hotspot Lesueur National Park, the 400-million-year-old Kalbarri National Park, multi-coloured Francois Peron National Park and the rugged Cape Range National Park are some of the incredible national parks to explore in the Coral Coast.
Experience a unique accommodation stay
There is a wide variety of accommodation across the region including unique Outback Station Stays through to deluxe eco camps nestled in the dunes of pristine beaches, the Cape Range National Park near Exmouth, and world-class Karijini National Park.
Spend more time enjoying the local experiences like swimming with whale sharks and attractions such as the Pink Lake. You don’t need a four-wheel drive to get off the beaten track – a simple sedan will allow you to experience what the Coral Coast has on offer.
