Exmouth WA
Exmouth WA would have to be one of the most unspoilt, quiet little coastal towns in Australia. This little piece of paradise offers endless coastline of deserted beaches, has 320 days of sunshine each year, and is home to an abundance of wild Emu's just cruising down the street with their babies.
There are no free camps in Exmouth, however during off peak season (April - October)
Ningaloo Caravan Holiday Resort offers a great deal... pay for 3 nights, stay for 4.
Click here to read our review on Ningaloo Caravan Holiday Resort.
Ningaloo Caravan Holiday Resort offers a great deal... pay for 3 nights, stay for 4.
Click here to read our review on Ningaloo Caravan Holiday Resort.
The visitor centre is straight across the road from this caravan park, and town centre is a 5 min drive.... here you will find 2 x IGA's, a bakery, chemist, camp shop, newsagency, a couple of retail shops and a lovely marine themed splash pool on the other side of the road.
We were happy to find a second hand shop in town called Mrs Mac's. We found lots of books, toys and items we liked and then donated some of our gear too. Last year Mrs Mac's donated a large sum of money to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
This lovely little coastal town acknowledges and supports marine conservation with a ban of plastic bags in their shops; and a dedication to protecting marine turtles. You can take a 13km drive north of town centre out to the Jurabi Turtle Centre; here you will find an interpretive educational facility that was constructed in recognition of marine turtles and to educate people about the affects and damage human disturbance can cause them. If you visit Exmouth during November through to February, you will be lucky enough to experience marine turtle nesting season.
Exmouth Marina offers a spot to put your boat in - with easy access to the Gulf and also a great spot to have a fish off the rock walls. We caught many good sized Beam, Mangrove Jack, the odd Bluebone and even a few Barracuda.
The lighthouse has stunning views of the coastline.... to the right you can see the area of the Mildura Wreck, and to the left you can see the Jurabi Turtle Centre.
The world war II tower has been refurbished after it was destroyed by a cyclone... The area has been roped off to stop any more damage being caused by tourists to this memorable landmark. The sandbags are the original ones used and have fossilised themselves into bystanding rocks and soil. It must have been hard being the lighthouse keeper back in the day - supplies only came once/year and consisted of long life milks and tinned cream among other foods that could be stored for months at a time. A very lonely life indeed. |
Exmouth is the gateway to the magnificent Cape Range National Park. A snorkelers paradise that is home to whale sharks, mantarays, humpback whales, reef sharks, and sea turtles. Beach camping in the National Park is serene and relaxing; with a few camps to choose from in peak season. During off peak season (October-April) some camp sites are closed down because of lack of numbers. Lucky for us our favourite camp was open and accessible - Mesa Campground.
Matt and Rob went over to Mesa Campground in the National Park for a few days R&R - for a boys weekend.
If you get a bit sick of the sand but still have much more exploring to do in Cape Range National Park; The Lighthouse Caravan Park is only a short drive - but no dogs are allowed in this park. Also Yardie Creek Homestead is a little closer to the National Park and allow dogs, but we didn't get a chance to check it out - I do know that they are very limited on power. Keep in mind also that the closer you are to Cape Range National Park - the further away you are from town and shops.
Turquoise Bay is the hot spot place to swim and have a snorkel in the 'so-named' turquoise water. A natural drift flows over the reef and sandy landscape, creating the perfect float over/walk back scenario. We spent a couple of days exploring the reef here at Turquoise Bay.
We had a most amazing experience here at Turquoise Bay.... we swam with a sea turtle! It was sleek and graceful like a synchronised swimmer; we glided and dived; and gently smoothed our hands over its shell - momentarily catching a glance here and there as we floated over the reef, alive with a city of colour and life. Click on the link below to watch our experience...
Oyster Stacks is the next bay down from Turquoise Bay,,, a must see snorkeler's haven! Best snorkelled on high tide; a series of mushroom shaped oyster stacks only metres from the rocky shoreline protrude from the water's surface. Underneath however is where all the action is taking place. These oyseter stacks provide the perfect shelter and hangout spot for a variety of really BIG fish!
We saw Mangrove Jack, Painted Sweet Lip, Blackall, Parrot, Coral Trout and many other varieties of fish.
We saw Mangrove Jack, Painted Sweet Lip, Blackall, Parrot, Coral Trout and many other varieties of fish.
Always check the wind direction when staying in Exmouth... Westerly's give you perfect weather for town beach and the marina over on the east side; and of course when the Easterly's are blowing - take a few days to explore Cape Range National Park over on the west side.
Make sure your tides are high for all snorkelling and swimming in the National Park to get the best out of your day and underwater experience.
There are fees for National Parks in Western Australia, plus you will need a park pass to enter for the day...
click here to learn more about WA National Parks Passes and how to obtain one.
http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/know/park-entry-fees
Make sure your tides are high for all snorkelling and swimming in the National Park to get the best out of your day and underwater experience.
There are fees for National Parks in Western Australia, plus you will need a park pass to enter for the day...
click here to learn more about WA National Parks Passes and how to obtain one.
http://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/know/park-entry-fees