Coral Coast, Western Australia
Best months:
May to August

Coral Coast, Western Australia

Western Australia, Australia
LAST UPDATED 13/07/2008
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introduction

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Zac Wolf: Whale Shark; 2006

Coral Coast is a region along Australia's western coast between the capital, Perth, stretching north to the town of Exmouth. It is named because of its unusual coral formations so far south.

This magnificent region includes many of Western Australia's favourite attractions; the Pinnacles at Nambung National Park, Abrolhos Islands, Kalbarri National Park, Shark Bay World Heritage Area, the dolphins at Monkey Mia and the incredible Ningaloo Reef where you can experience a swim with the world's largest fish - the Whale Shark from Exmouth or Coral Bay.

surfing

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Andrew Watkins: Coronation Beach; 2006

North of Perth and clear of the offshore reefs, the reeling left hand points start to come to life against the harsh desert scape of the coral coast. Towns can be few and far between, take plenty of fuel and water, you are right in the middle of Mad Max territory here.

The whole coast here is ideally placed to take full advantage of SW depressions and swell trains spraying out from the Antartic and peppering the coastline. May to September will be your prime season for these swells with rarer NW swells courtesy of descending Indian Ocean cyclonic systems more common from Dec-Feb. Onshore winds courtesy of the enormous inland deserts are very common in summer and sometimes there is just no beating them, no mattter how early you get up. Winter is better with morning offshores common but it is rare not to see some onshore activity late in the afternoon. Enjoy the reefs and relish the points, easily some of the best Australia has to offer.

where to stay

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Dolphin at Monkey Mia, WA; Tursiops; 19.06.2007

The Coral Coast north west of Perth is a beautiful and still largely unpopulated area of Australia and has nowhere near the options of places to stay that it's east coast counterpart has. If you're endeavouring to drive up to these parts make sure you have plenty of water, fuel, food and other relevent supplies as pitstops are all too few and far between - and preferably a 4WD vehicle.

However, this isolation can make for and awesome camping/campervan surfari for the well prepared. With the independance of your home on wheels imagine the freedom and surf potential you could find and the heaps of stories could return with to woo your mates down the pub over a few beers - and the diving is some of the best in the world on the Ningaloo Reef too, if it's flat of course!! 

For those prefering a more stable abode there are a choice of hostels, motels, and small hotels in the towns of Geraldton, Kalbarri, Carnarvon and Exmouth but booking ahead is well advised, it's a long way back to Perth if everywhere is fully booked! 

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