A first-timer's guide to the Coral Coast, WA

The Coral Coast is home to some of Australia’s most iconic attractions.

The Coral Coast Highway is like the writhing body of a serpent as it makes its way from Cervantes, two hours north of Perth, along 1100 kilometres of coastline to World-Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. While there is surf, sun and sea on tap on the Coral Coast, this incredible corner of the country is also home to some of Australia’s most iconic attractions. Swimming with Ningaloo’s Big Three – whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays – is obviously on top of the to-do list. But it’s also considered compulsory to walk through fields blanketed with everlasting wildflowers, watch the light paint the Pinnacles in a buttery hue, hike through ancient gorges and simply tumble off white sandy beaches into those turquoise waters. Here, find the gems you need to have on your itinerary.

Unique stays

Wooramel River Retreat

Experience the wonders of Wooramel while bunkered down in a rustic eco-cabin tent at this low-impact riverfront campground located 120 kilometres south of Carnarvon. Activities here are based around bushwalking, birdwatching and basking in the naturally heated artesian bore baths.

Bullara Station Stay

Perched on the Ningaloo Coast between Coral Bay and Exmouth is where you will find Bullara Station Stay . Choose between the renovated Shearers Lodge or the Outcamp, private cottages and luxury safari huts that are dotted around the property, which offers an authentic station stay experience.

Bullara Station, Coral Coast, Western Australia — Bullara Station Stay looks out over the Exmouth Gulf. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Sail Ningaloo

Stay onboard the luxurious sailing catamaran, Shore Thing, during an overnight sailing adventure from Coral Bay that will enable you to experience world-class snorkelling and scuba diving by day and unwind onboard under a star-spangled ceiling by night.

Sal Salis

When thinking of Australia’s most beautiful stays, Sal Salis is often up the top of traveller’s lists. This luxury safari-style campsite holds prime position on the shores of Ningaloo Reef and allows guests to fully immerse in nature. Swim with whale sharks, kayak the turquoise waters, hike the unique landscape by day, and retreat to your eco-friendly tent by night.

Five top spots

Lake Thetis

Cervantes is the gateway to the Pinnacles Desert. In addition to that iconic landscape of limestone spires, Cervantes whispers ‘come hither’ for its lesser-known Lake Thetis, one of only five sites in WA that feature thrombolites, believed to be more than 3000 years old.

Hutt Lagoon

Kalbarri is known for its rugged landscapes and national parks. It’s where you will find flamingo-pink Hutt Lagoon, see wildflowers, experience Indigenous art, and explore inland and coastal gorges that have been chiselled by the elements over thousands of years.

Ningaloo, Coral Coast, Western Australia — Visit the remote reaches of Ningaloo. (Image: Sail Ningaloo)

Carnarvon

Visiting Ningaloo is a given, but you should also set aside a few days to stay in Carnarvon in between exploring the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area. Surf at Gnaraloo, snorkel at Quobba, go windsurfing at Red Bluff and hike into the hinterland to picnic at Rocky Pool.

Shothole Canyon

While visitors from around the world base themselves in Exmouth to swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park, this top Aussie town to visit in 2021 (as voted by Wotif) is also a great jumping-off point for the lesser-known Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Canyon in Cape Range National Park.

Geraldton

Geraldton, located about four and a half hours’ drive north of Perth, has reinvented itself in recent years as a contemporary coastal hub with quirky cafes, hip boutiques, street art and galleries. Factor in a visit to the Yamatji Art Gallery to learn about local Indigenous culture.

Where to eat

The Old Man & the Sea

Catch the lift to Level 3 of The Gerald Apartment Hotel to get your groove on while in Geraldton. This rooftop bar is where the cool kids hang to watch the sun sink over the horizon while enjoying chicken schnitties and schooeys of tap beer.

Finlay’s Kalbarri

This totally of-its-place space is an outdoor seafood restaurant and brewery in Kalbarri where you can enjoy fresh local West Australian fish and chips and beautifully crafted beer. The thing to do here is to sit around the communal campfire under gum trees flickering with fairy lights.

The Lobster Shack

Western rock lobster is the specialty at the Lobster Shack , a business run by the trailblazing Thompson family who have been fishing on the Coral Coast since the 1960s. Try this prized crustacean grilled with garlic butter or in the signature lobster roll.

Lobster Shack, Coral Coast, Western Australia — Enjoy Western rock lobster at the Lobster Shack. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Top things to do

Join a citizen science project

Obviously it’s swim with whale sharks, but instead of being just another camera-toting tourist, be a conscious traveller and volunteer to prevent whale shark extinction by taking part in a citizen science project that helps plug the gaps in marine biologist Brad Norman’s research.

The Kalbarri Skywalk

Embrace your vertigo on a stroll along two 100-metre-high lookouts that jut out like open drawers beyond the rim of Murchison Gorge. The cantilevered lookouts, located on the traditional lands of the Indigenous Nanda peoples, are anchored into 400-million-year-old sandstone.

Kalbarri Skywalk, Coral Coast, Western Australia — Kalbarri Skywalk is a top-shelf experience at Kalbarri National Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Gwoonwardu Mia

Old People Talking tells the stories of the Gascoyne’s Traditional Owners in their own words and language. A replica of a 33,000-year-old shell necklace, images and artefacts are highlights of the permanent exhibition at the Gwoonwardu Mia Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre in Carnarvon.

What happens during turtle season?

There’s a reason why locals and tourists head to Ningaloo Reef at this time of year, one of Australia’s top UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. Each spring and summer, it becomes a stage for one of nature’s most extraordinary cycles of life. Hundreds of sea turtles are arriving ahead of a five-month reproductive journey – from mating to nesting and finally, hatching.

Turtles at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Hundreds of turtles migrate to Ningaloo Reef each year. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The warmer temperatures, combined with the environmental conditions at Ningaloo, perfectly align with the turtles’ breeding and birthing period. It begins around mid-October, when adult turtles migrate to breeding areas and males court females. Copulation then takes place in the water.

Afterwards, the female returns to shore to catch her breath and nest – digging a chamber in the sand using her flippers. She can lay up to 100 eggs here, which then incubate in the warm sand. The hatchlings emerge from their shells around 60 days later, using the brightest horizon (often the moonlit sea) and the sound of waves to find their way to the ocean.

Turtle hatchling at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Baby hatchlings wriggle their way to the sea. (Image: Getty/Elsa Lassalle)

The best part? You can witness all three stages of this cycle – a truly unforgettable sight that few get to tick off the bucket list. Nature and wildlife lovers can watch as turtles mate, nest and hatch at Ningaloo Reef – as long as it’s done the right way.

How to experience turtle season responsibly

Turtle reproduction is an incredible process, but it often involves risks for both mother and baby. And while many of these challenges are simply part of nature’s design, others can stem from human activity. Being a mindful visitor goes a long way and can help protect these gentle creatures.

Be sure to follow all turtle-watching guidelines. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The most responsible way to experience turtle season is by booking a guided tour, which is also a great way to see Ningaloo Reef itself. These excursions are led by well-trained experts who know how to protect the turtles and minimise disturbances while ensuring guests have the best opportunity to catch a glimpse.

Local company Exmouth Adventure Co runs a four-hour Summer Sunset Turtle Watching Tour from $145 per person. As the sun sets, you’ll enjoy a quick snack while learning about the turtle watching ‘Code of Conduct’ developed by WA’s Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions . Then, you’ll head down to the beach with your guide to quietly observe nesting females using your newfound knowledge.

Kayaking along Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Join a kayaking tour with Exmouth Adventure Co to spot turtles safely. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

To make it a full weekend escape, book a stay at Sal Salis, the luxurious and eco-conscious beachfront camp on the shores of Ningaloo Reef. Here, guests can join guided night walks or kayaking adventures to spot turtles from a safe distance. If you miss the season, visit Ningaloo Aquarium and Discovery Centre to meet injured turtles and support their rehabilitation.

Sal Salis at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Stay at Sal Salis, where turtles can hatch mere metres away. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

There are a few more important things to remember before booking your turtle-spotting trip. Keeping a respectful distance is crucial at all times. During mating, females may pair with multiple males. Once ashore, they need time to rest and catch their breath before nesting. If startled by humans, they may retreat to the water too soon, which can be fatal.

When hatching season arrives, distance remains key. Hatchlings can easily become disoriented and head the wrong way if distracted. If you’re observing at night, avoid using artificial light such as torches or lamps; baby turtles rely on the moon’s natural glow to find their way to the ocean. Touching the turtles at any time is strictly prohibited.

By following a few simple rules, listening to your guide and remaining patient, you could be rewarded with one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences of your life.

A first-timer’s guide to the Coral Coast, WA