exmouth

Situated on North West Cape about 1250 km north of Perth is the town of Exmouth, a service centre for the Australian and US defence forces. With a population of around 3000, Exmouth also doubles as a tourist centre for the avid nature lover. There are great beaches nearby, excellent fishing and diving spots, boat tours to Ningaloo Reef, and overland safaris to rugged inland gorges with the oldest rocks in the world. Scenic flights over the area are also a feast for the eyes. From July-November manta rays and humpback whales can be seen offshore, whilst nesting turtles are plentiful from October-April. If you have never seen a whale shark then you have the chance of doing so between March and June.

Less well-known and less frequented than the Great Barrier Reef, but even more spectacular and untouched, is the 260 km long Ningaloo Reef off the western side of North West Cape. The coral reef is in places less than 100 metres offshore, and supports at least 500 species of fish, manta rays, turtles, endangered dugongs, and the migratory whale shark. All receive protection as part of the Ningaloo Marine Park. The reef can be explored with one of several dive operators, or for non-divers, snorkelling and boat trips are also available. Visit the reef from Exmouth, which can in turn be reached by domestic flight or via the Greyhound bus service, which runs along the western coast from Perth to Darwin.