Australia’s

CORAL COASTMedia Mini-Bites 2018

NAME OF REGION ACCOMMODATION | TOURS & CHARTERS | GENERAL SERVICES

Who is the Coral Coast ?Australia’s Coral Coast is the peak regional tourism organisation (RTO) responsible for regional destination marketing of the Coral Coast in Western Australia. The organisation undertakes activities designed to expose the tourism product and infrastructure of the region to consumers in its identified core markets domestically and internationally. Working with the media to promote the amazing attractions and experiences of this region is integral to achieving our objectives

Where is the Coral Coast ?The Coral Coast region starts 2 hours north of Perth in Cervantes and runs for 1,100km to Exmouth. Some of Australia’s best known holiday experiences are found on the Coral Coast including the Pinnacles, the Abrolhos Islands, Kalbarri National Park, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area (including the dolphins of Monkey Mia and Dirk Hartog Island), the fresh produce of Carnarvon and the incredible Ningaloo Reef, where you can swim with the world’s largest fish, the Whale Shark.

What can I experience ?With secret beaches, untouched shorelines and an abundance of unique animals on land and in water, the Coral Coast is a wonderland that will do more than satisfy your wanderlust. Our life-changing activities and landscapes are guaranteed to leave lasting impressions and some amazing tales to tell. The region has a lot on offer for families, group travellers, cruise enthusiasts, grey nomads and self-drive, self-catering tourists. Accommodation ranges from budget to station stays to luxury resorts

What is the weather like ? Australia’s Coral Coast has warm temperatures all year round and enjoys a Mediterranean climate from Cervantes to Shark Bay and a sub-tropical climate from Carnarvon north to Exmouth. The best time to visit is the milder months of March to October with the majority of wildlife on offer to see, however there is something to experience all year round – depending on your travel habits or budget.

Why write about Australia’s CORAL COAST ? A holiday on Australia’s Coral Coast is worth travelling for. Not only are the landscapes incredibly colourful, showcasing every possible hue, the experiences had on land or in the water will stay with you for many years to come. We are one of the last wilderness locations of Australia - unspoilt, uncrowded and with pristine underwater adventures to be had along our entire coastline. We are also home to 2 of the 3 UNESCO World Heritage Areas found in Western Australia.

what we do well

what we're all about1. Nature and Wildlife2. Aquatic and Coastal3. Adventure4. Unique experiences 5. Colorful landscapes6. Pristine reefs7. Warm weather8. World Heritage areas9. Aussie outback10. Memories for a lifetime

1. Diving 2. Wildlife - in the water & on the land3. Natural event - Whale Shark migration4. National Parks5. In-water experiences 6. Aboriginal cultural product7. Sustainable seafood8. Fresh grown fruit and vegetable9. Craft beer and distilleries10. Luxury, outback accommodation

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or interact with our HUMPBACK WHALES Did you know: There is only a handful of places on earth where you can swim with whales - and Ningaloo is one of them! After a two year trial of the experience, Humpback Whale tours will continue in 2018. The interaction success rate in water worldwide is between 50 - 70%. In 2017, Ningaloo tours had a 77% success rate in 2017. We look forward to a successful 2018!

How's the tour different ? What's the same ?1. Humpback tours run 1 August to 30 October

with Whale Shark tours running March to July.

2. Whales are mammals and require surfacing to breathe, Whale Sharks are fish therefore spend their time at varying water depths

3. Humpback whales are 14-16 metres long, whereas Whale Sharks can be 6 - 12 metres

4. Whale Shark tours allow 10 in the water with a fish, whereas Humpback tours will only have 5 tourists in the water at any one time

5. In-water interactions are much faster with Whales, generally about 6 mins, and Whale Shark interactions can be up to 13 mins

• Whale Shark and Humpback tours are both offered in Coral Bay and Exmouth

• Full Day tour includes lunch, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks and hotel transfers, with snorkelling opportunities

• Both tours offer observer (reef snorkel and viewing only) and interaction (in- water experience) rates at varying prices

• In Western Australia, these tours are only available with licenced Whale Shark operators

• Children are permitted to partake either tour, provided they can confidently swim (flotation device offered) and are over 5 years old

Come and swim with our WHALE SHARKS Did you know: Only 1 in 3 million people globally will swim with a whale shark in their lifetime! Ningaloo Reef currently holds the world’s highest rate of whale shark numbers and accessibility - boasting a 94% interaction rate in 2017. Ningaloo has 30 years of tour operation and is one of the only places on earth where these completely harmless fish can be reliably found in large aggregations.

Why choose Ningaloo ? How the tour works1. Tours offer a “no sighting” policy, giving guests

the next available tour day FREE of charge

2. A percentage of each tour ticket goes towards important whale shark research

3. You will generally see land from the boat, the tours occur only a few miles off the beach

4. Tours are highly regulated, so it's a very safe experience

5. All Ningaloo whale shark operators have an underwater photographer on board, capturing your special memories

• Bus will collect you from your hotel from 7am

• Tour starts with a safety briefing from crew

• Start snorkelling the calm inner reef waters, while spotter planes locate the whale sharks

• Once found, 10 people will 'jump' into the water with a 'dive master' guide, ensuring you swim a safe distance from the fish

• The interaction is repeated several times before a late lunch and more snorkelling!

• Bus will transfer you back to town about 5pm

• After a big day on tour, enjoy a relaxing dinner!

Taken on board Live Ningaloo

Taken onboard Ningaloo Discovery

PINK LAKE, HUTT LAGOON The picturesque fishing village of Port Gregory is encircled by 5km of exposed coral reef and a pink lake called Hutt Lagoon. The pink hue is created by the presence of carotenoid-producing algae Dunaliella Salina, a source of ß-carotene. Depending on the time of day, the season and the amount of cloud, the lake changes through the spectrum of red to bubble-gum pink to a lilac purple. The best time of day to visit is mid-morning. Hutt Lagoon is an easy drive between Geraldton and Kalbarri. The spectacular sight is available from the aforementioned towns on a scenic flight, and is often paired with an Abrolhos Island fly-over, making the tour an unforgettable experience.

NINGALOO COAST WORLD HERITAGE AREARegarded as one of the last great ocean paradises, Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s largest fringing reef system, stretching 290km from Red Bluff (via Carnarvon) running north to the Exmouth Gulf. Home to around 300 species of coral and 500 species of fish, the Ningaloo Reef is just a few metres from the shore and is easily accessible to snorkellers. In one holiday, tourists have the opportunity to swim with our BIG three - the Whale Shark, oceanic Manta Rays and Humpback Whales. Many come for the world-class diving, snorkelling and game-fishing, others for the rugged National Park hiking and wildlife.

SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE AREAThe Shark Bay World Heritage Area meets four of the ten required natural criteria and was Western Australia’s first UNESCO site. The colorful and diverse landscapes, rare flora and fauna and world class examples of Earth’s ecology all contribute to the World Heritage listing. Home of the world's smartest dolphins - the Monkey Mia dolphin. Visit Shell Beach, 70kms long and 10m deep, where shells replace the beach sand. Take an Aboriginal cultural tour in the red dirt of Francois Peron National Park, kayaking on turquoise waters. Interesting fact: The Herald Height Cliffs at Dirk Hartog Island were filmed and part of 2017 movie Thor: Ragnarok.

ultimate #INSTA spots1. The Pinnacles Desert, Cervantes

2. Pink Lake at Hutt Lagoon, Port Gregory

3. Turquoise Bay, Exmouth

4. Monkey Mia Dolphins, Shark Bay

5. Wildflowers of Coalseam Conservation Park, Mingenew

6. The Blowholes, Carnarvon

7. Big Lagoon, Shark Bay

8. Nature’s Window, Kalbarri

9. Sandy Cape, Jurien Bay

10. ANZAC Soldiers, Port Denison

TOP 10 MUST

SEE

ancient LANDSCAPES1. The Stromatolites, Shark Bay

2. Shothole Canyon, Exmouth

3. The Leaning Trees, Greenough

4. Steep Point, Shark Bay

5. Honeycomb Gorge at Kennedy Range, Carnarvon

6. Stockyard Gully Cave, Leeman

7. Cabbage Coral Gardens, Coral Bay

8. Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay

9. Z-Bend, Kalbarri

10. Willy Gully Caves, Horrocks

THE ABROLHOS ISLANDS' HOPE SPOTThe Mission Blue Hope Spot program, led by American oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle, is a global campaign to protect locations vital to the ocean's health. The Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Geraldton, join 85 sites globally and only one other in Australia – Moreton Bay. Often described as the Galapagos Islands of the Indian Ocean, there are few places in Australia wilder and with more biodiversity than these Islands. The Islands provide for substantial tourism opportunities such as rock lobster fishing, pearling, rare bird watching, wreck diving sites and have a colony of endangered Australian sea lions. Access is via plane or boat.

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BEST BREWS & TOP DROPSThe Coral Coast has some great craft beers and artisanal distilled products! Exmouth is our beer homeland - Froth Brewery is brewing IPAs and Kolsch in-house, whilst serving modern Australian food with live music. Whalebone Brewery is producing Ginger Beer and Wheat Bier with homemade pizza. Illegal Rum Tender, found in Dongara (4hrs north of Perth) is producing spiced spirits using local botanicals and French oak wine barrels to infuse flavor into their small batch treats. Visit at 11am for the distillery tour and tasting. Chapman Valley, 5hrs north of Perth, is home to the Burnt Barrel – specialising in slow and low smoked Kansas-City style BBQ, with cold beers brewed onsite.

HELI-SNORKEL THE STROMATOLITESTake a chopper out of Carnarvon (southern gateway to Ningaloo Reef ), and you’ll fly to a beach in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area only accessible by helicopter. Here you can snorkel among 3.5billion year old fossils – thought to be some of the oldest living fossils on Earth. Resembling giant cauliflowers, these rock-like structures have formed over time by microbes binding with sediment. Seeing them up close offers a unique insight into how the Earth would have looked a few billion years ago. Don't feel like flying? The Stromatolites can also be accessed via a boardwalk.

thirsty and TASTY1. Illegal Rum Tender, Dongara-Port Denison

2. Froth Brewery, Exmouth

3. Lobster Shack, Cervantes

4. Oceans @ Ocean Park, Shark Bay

5. Banana Plantations, Carnarvon

6. Whalebone Brewery, Exmouth

7. Burnt Barrel Brew-BBQ, Chapman Valley

8. Old Pearler Restaurant, Denham

9. The Broady, Geraldton

10. Whalers Restaurant, Exmouth

TOP 10 MUST

DO

1. Little Bay, Horrocks

2. Urchin Point, Dirk Hartog Island

3. Mangrove Bay, Cape Range National Park

4. The Thong Shack, Shark Bay

5. Blue Holes, Kalbarri

6. Five Fingers Reef, Coral Bay

7. Coronation Beach, Geraldton

8. Dynamite Bay, Green Head

9. The Aquarium at Quobba, Carnarvon

10. Muiron Islands, Exmouth

explore secret BEACHES

WILDFLOWER CARPETS The breathtaking hinterland of Coalseam Conservation Park, located out of Geraldton, is a premier location for everlasting wildflower carpets. Accessible by all vehicles, the park is among the most botanically diverse bush areas in Western Australia. After good winter rains the shrubland, with its sparse understorey, comes alive with carpets of everlasting wildflowers. The flower display occurs naturally, with changing colours from year to year. Flowers were cream white in 2017 and 2015, and golden yellow in 2016. The carpets generally start blooming from July to September. Visit our website - www.australiascoralcoast.com - for weekly sightings.

HOME TO AUSTRALIA'S #1 MAIN LAND BEACH The hamlet of Horrocks was named best mainland beach in Tourism Australia’s 101 Best Beaches for 2018, offering 7km of coastal and aquatic immersion. On approach from the town of Kalbarri the undulating hills and farmland paddocks open up to Horrocks village. Located on the Indian Ocean, the town is encrusted by a unique reef system which creates a lagoon setting, making for a very safe swimming beach. Affordable, accessible and authentic - Horrocks is a haven for those wanting to escape the crowds as a quintessentially Australian beach location.

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meet our WILDLIFE• Whale Sharks, Exmouth and Coral Bay

• Echidnas, Jurien Bay to Exmouth

• Australian Sea Lions, Cervantes to Geraldton

• Thorny Devils, Kalbarri to Exmouth

• Manta Rays, Coral Bay

• Dolphins, Kalbarri to Exmouth

• The Goliath Grouper at Navy Pier, Exmouth

• Humpback Whales, Kalbarri to Exmouth

• Ghost Crabs, Dirk Hartog Island

• Emus, Denham & Exmouth

NATURAL& WILD

explore PARK highlights• Shell Beach, Shark Bay

• Ningaloo Reef, Carnarvon to Exmouth

• Lesueur National Park, Jurien Bay

• Yardie Creek, Exmouth

• Coastal Cliff walkway, Kalbarri

• Jurien Bay Islands & Marine Park

• Abrolhos Islands, Geraldton

• SkipJack Point, Shark Bay

• The Blowholes at Quobba, Carnarvon

• Wildfl owers, Coalseam Conservation Park

Ghost Crabs, Dirk Hartog Island

Lesueur National Park, Jurien Bay

Jurien Bay Islands & Marine Park

NATURAL

ENJOY A WILD -LIFE Western Australia, in particular the Coral Coast, has more than its fair share of unusual native animals, some of which are threatened or endangered.

One of the major factors contributing to the UNESCO World Heritage status of Shark Bay and Ningaloo is the presence of wildlife; mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and invertebrates. But it’s not just these two areas, our marine parks and national parks are teaming with wildlife, during the day or night.

The Coral Coast is a safe haven for some of the world’s most endangered species such as the loggerhead turtle, green turtle and dugong.

w�t�rWHALE SHARK March – July Best spots Coral Bay & Exmouth

MANTA RAY Year round Best spots Coral Bay & Exmouth (June – November)

DOLPHIN Year round Best spots Kalbarri, Monkey Mia and Ningaloo

AUSTRALIAN SEA LION Year round Best spots Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Geraldton and Abrolhos Islands

DUGON� Year round Best spots Shark Bay and Ningaloo

HUMPBACK WHALE July – October Best spots Kalbarri, Dirk Hartog Island, Ningaloo and Mackerel Islands

ORCAS July – October Best spots Exmouth

l�n�THORN� DEVIL LIZARD Year round Best spots Kalbarri, Shark Bay and Ningaloo

DIN�O Year round Best spots Cape Range National Park

ECHIDNA Year round Best spots Indian Ocean Drive, Shark Bay & Ningaloo

E�U Year round

E�U CHICKS August & SeptemberBest spots Denham, Shark Bay, Exmouth & Ningaloo

KAN�AROO Year round Best spots Nambung and Cape Range National Parks

BLACK FOOTED ROCK WALLABY Year round Best spots Cape Range and Kalbarri National Parks

TURTLE NESTING December – February

TURTLE HATCHING January – MarchBest spots Dirk Hartog Island & Ningaloo

Thorny Devil

Manta Ray

REGIONAL E�PRESS TO OPERATE CORAL COAST AIR ROUTESRegional Express (Rex) has been awarded the tender to operate the Regular Public Transport air services on the Perth – Carnarvon / Monkey Mia route, commencing 2 July 2018.

It is anticipated this announcement will serve as a tourism boost to the Coral Coast region; servicing the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and Carnarvon. These areas are best known for the Monkey Mia dolphins and Carnarvon’s seafood, fruit and vegetable industry..

With the route takeover by Rex, bookings can now be made via travel agents. Additionally Rex holds a baggage agreement with Virgin Airlines (and will operate out of Perth Airport's T2 terminal), ensuring luggage can be checked all the way through to Monkey Mia / Carnarvon from Australian Domestic flights.

Black Footed Rock Wallaby

Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

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THE HEALTH O� NINGALOO REE�Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef is a very different experience and location to many of the world's great coral reefs; so the real question, is it worth the trip? Of course! And here's why:

• The UNESCO World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef — the largest fringing reef in Australia — along with the Coral Coast's Abrolhos Islands (Australia's second 'Ocean Hope Spot') off Geraldton's coastline have both escaped the recent coral bleaching which has affected some areas in Australia

• The research funded by CSIRO (Australia's independent Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) showed Ningaloo's reef was more resilient than expected

• CSIRO research surveyed 70 sites at Ningaloo and found no coral bleached. At Osprey Bay, offshore from Cape Range National Park, coral health results were as good as those taken in 1987

• Being a totally different ocean (the Indian Ocean) to the East Coast of Australia, the affects of La Nina and El Nino bypassed Ningaloo and the Abrolhos. These cool water temperatures have assisted coral growth

• The remote location of Ningaloo, far from major population centres and environmental threats, has ensured the reef is less impacted on.

• A Coral Tiling program is in place for proactive reef protection. Terracotta tiles have been deployed by divers; later the corals affix themselves to the area to stimulate and yield new coral development

• Use of Hyperspectral Cameras (that can see 90 times better than the human eye) on unmanned aerial vehicles assist with data-gathering and monitoring of the reef's health

STAR LIGHT, STAR BRI�HT ON THE CORAL COASTIn Australia, one of our greatest assets is our natural experiences. On the Coral Coast, our tourism operators aim to preserve the integrity of our region through conservation of our environment, its history and heritage, culture and wildlife. Our industry work together to look after the natural resources which attract tourists to the area, ensuring a low impact by visitors.

MINI�AL LIGHT POLLUTIONScattered throughout WA, the Coral Coast's best sites for stargazing offer dark skies unpolluted by artificial lights, where every single star appears in high definition glory.

Due to low levels of light pollution and general population build up, there a few better places to see the Milky Way Galaxy in all its glory. Photographers and astro-lovers will not only enjoy the night skies, but the unique rock formations of the various National Parks which frame the starry evenings.

A bright moon is the biggest light polluter of all and washes out the stars. If you’re serious about stargazing, plan to visit the Coral Coast about 10 days before a new moon or 4 days after. We look forward to sharing our star experiences with you on a tour or simply by looking up!

202� H�BRID SOLAR ECLIPSEIn 2023, a Hybrid Solar Eclipse will be observable from the Exmouth Peninsula around 11.25 am on 20 April. A Hybrid Eclipse is the rarest form of all eclipses.

The moon's silhouette is not a perfect circle. For a few minutes, the lunar mountains create a hairline-thin ring of the Sun as a sparkling sequence of arcs. Briefly encircling the moon, a diamond ring effect (Baily's beads) is created.

Exmouth will be the only place on mainland Australia from which this eclipse can be witnessed. There has not been a hybrid eclipse visible in Australia for more than 1000 years.

enjoy a UNIQUE s�a�• Sal Salis, Exmouth

• Wooramel River Retreat, Carnarvon

• Hamelin Station Stay, Shark Bay

• The Gerald, Geraldton

• Sail Ningaloo, Coral Bay

• Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay

• Direction Island, Mackerel Islands

• Western Flora Caravan Park, Eneabba

• Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Shark Bay

• Bullara Station Stay, Coral Bay

O�F THE

BEATEN TRACK

spectacular STAR gazing• Lucky Bay, Kalbarri

• Hill River, Jurien Bay

• François Peron National Park, Shark Bay

• Ellendale Pool, Greenough

• The Fruit Loops, Carnarvon

• Bowes River Mouth, Horrocks

• Cliff Head at Arrowsmith, near Dongara

• The Pinnacles, Cervantes

• Milligan Island, Green Head

• Sandy Cape, Jurien Bay

O�F THE

Visitors will see the Hybrid Eclipse in Exmouth

Osprey Bay, reef health is as good now as it was in 1987

The Pinnacles

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WWW.AUSTRALIASCORALCOAST.COMDavid O’Malley, Chief Executive Officer

david@australiascoralcoast.comSuzanne Fisher, Marketing & PR Manager

suzanne@australiascoralcoast.comBack cover: Yardie Creek and the Ningaloo Reef - Lauren Bath

Front cover: SkipJack Point, Francois Peron National Park - Shawn Peach