Into the blue of Australia’s Coral Coast
Madeleine BarberWestern Australia’s Coral Coast is a hotspot for wow-factor marine experiences, unique natural landscapes and sizzling seafood
Western Australia’s Coral Coast has a wealth of landscapes for visitors to explore, from pristine Indian Ocean beaches and waters brimming with marine life to awe-inspiring national parks. Just a one-and-a-half-hour flight north from Perth, Ningaloo Reef is a Unesco World Heritage Site and the only place in Australia where swimmers, snorkellers and divers will be joined by manta rays and gentle whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea. Plus between July and November they can look out for humpback whales. For visitors that would rather observe from the water’s surface, there’s a selection of Coral Coast boat trips to choose from.
At Monkey Mia, south of Ningaloo Reef, guests can paddle along the shoreline and make friends with the wild dolphins that first came to this spot 40 years ago when Aussie fishermen shared their catch with the local pods. Also in Shark Bay, travellers can explore Dirk Hartog, Western Australia’s largest island, and take in Shell Beach, one of only two beaches in the world consisting of billions of tiny shells.
Coveted coast
Kalbarri national park, around halfway between Perth and Ningaloo Reef, is a playground for adventurers. Think bush walking, gorge hiking and canoeing, to name a few. The Murchison River gorges, which have formed over millions of years from sandstone cliffs, the red-rock frame of Nature’s Window, and lookouts such as The Loop, Z Bend, Hawkes Head and Ross Graham are some of Kalbarri’s highlights. If visiting between August and October, explorers will be rewarded with the sights and smells of more than 1,100 varieties of Western Australian wildflowers too.
If visitors choose to be based in Perth for the majority of their trip, Nambung national park and its highlight attraction the Pinnacles make a cool choice for a day trip. The thousands of ancient limestone columns rise from the desert, with some as tall as seven metres, and are best explored on foot.
Cervantes is the gateway to the Pinnacles, marking the southern end of the Coral Coast. It’s known for natural landscapes and fresh seafood, so a visit to the Lobster Shack to taste western rock lobster is a must before departing the town.
Book Western Australia with Gold Medal now!
Gold Medal’s Apollo Motorhome Holiday: Perth to Coral Coast itinerary includes:
- An Apollo Euro Tourer – suggested stops at Perth, Geraldton, Exmouth, Coral Bay, Shark Bay and Kalbarri
- Opportunity to see the Pinnacles and Cape Range national park
- Options to taste seafood in Geraldton, see sunsets and coastal gorges in Kalbarri and visit Pink Lake
- Chance to swim with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef, snorkel in Coral Bay and meet dolphins at Monkey Mia
- Cathay Pacific flights from Heathrow
Prices for this 10-night, self-catering trip start from £899pp, which saves customers up to £245pp. Offer valid for departures on May 16, 2019. Agents will earn £24 Farebank Rewards (doubled from £12) when they book this package.
Ben Joseph, reservations consultant at Gold Medal, says:
“I visited Western Australia last year and it was definitely one of the best fam trips I’ve ever been on. It’s such a beautiful state with so much to do, especially on the Coral Coast. I love getting in the water, so the highlight for me was swimming with whale sharks in Exmouth – a boat took us out onto Ningaloo Reef to find them and we hopped in the water to snorkel alongside them – it was such a surreal moment. Coral Bay has lots of small coves where you can walk straight into the water to snorkel too – I spent a great 10 minutes swimming alone next to a sea turtle! You should definitely encourage your customers to make the trip to see these extraordinary creatures in the wild.”
Added bonus
Agents receive double Farebank Rewards on all Western Australia package bookings (flight plus minimum three nights accommodation) made with Gold Medal between March 1 and April 17.
Watch the Western Australia masterclass with Gold Medal Facebook Live for more information.
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Madeleine Barber
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