If you’re looking for one of the last great ocean paradises, look no further.
Ningaloo Marine Park is a vast stretch of pristine coastline in Western Australia, recognised by UNESCO as the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area in 2011. Offering a stunning combination of rural authenticity, sweeping landscapes, and bucket-list marine interactions, you will delight in the diversity of this unique destination.
Here’s what you need to book that long weekend escape in Ningaloo.
Where is it?
Head to Exmouth as the northern gateway to Ningaloo Marine Park. It is the perfect town to base yourself and explore the grandiose landscapes of the Cape Range National Park, the underwater wonders of the Ningaloo Marine Park, and the laid back seaside town of Coral Bay.
How do you get there?
The good news is one of Western Australia’s best kept secrets is only a 90 minute flight with Qantas from Perth. Qantas Airlines has 12 flights per week to Learmonth Airport, or if you are up for extending your adventure, book a one-way flight and then contact AVIS to secure a rental car deal and drive back to Perth from Exmouth. AVIS currently has reduced relocation fees for one-way rentals from April to October, and again in 2020. This will allow you to explore the whole Coral Coast Highway back to Perth.
What to do?
Depending on the time of the year, Ningaloo Marine Park is one of the best places in Australia to see and experience an in-water interaction with either Whaleshark’s or migrating Humpback whales. As it’s one of the only places on the planet where Whalesharks can be reliably located in large aggregations, Ningaloo Reef currently holds the world’s highest rate of interactions. The story is similar for the Humpback whale season. Whilst still in its fourth year of trials, the tours have already achieved seriously good interaction success rates year on year.
Matt Oakley from Ningaloo Discovery recently reported that "a combination of increased experience from vessel skippers, crew and spotter pilots, refinements of techniques, and advancements in equipment have resulted in some amazing interactions with several tours in August spending up to 1 hour in the water with resting Humpback whales.
"The world’s largest Humpback whale migration is currently in full swing with whales making their way from the feeding grounds in Antartica to the calving and breeding grounds of the Kimberley. Swimming right past the clear waters of the Ningaloo Coast, in both directions of their migration, gives visitors to the Coral Coast region a unique opportunity to discover these magnificent creatures and interact with them on their terms. Many guests describe the interactions as an unbelievable once in a lifetime experience" Matt said.
The Humpback Whale tours operate out of both Exmouth and Coral Bay through to the end of October.
Look out for these tour operators for your amazing marine interaction.
Ningaloo Reef Dive and Snorkel
Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo
Three Islands Whale Shark Dive
Where to stay?
The Ningaloo region has some seriously amazing accommodation options from traditional hotels and self-catered units, to eco-luxe glamping, caravan parks, and even station stays.
Where to eat and drink?
There is also plenty on offer to eat and drink after all that adventure. More recently, two new boutique breweries have hit the Exmouth food scene, Froth Craft and Whalebone Brewing Company. Not to mention there are some great places for a meal such as Mantaray’s at Mantaray’s Beach Resort, Exmouth Escape Resort’s restaurant Whalers, Café Muiron and the Ningaloo Cooking Studio, Social Society, Bamboo, Short Order, and Sea Salt.
What other activities are there?
There are plenty of other activities to do in and around Ningaloo with such a wide variety of experiences, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Check out these options.
Want a Travel Agent to book it for you?
For bookings contact Broome, Kimberley & Beyond on 1300 357 057 or reservations@broomekimberley.com
