Q: What’s one of the most romantic places you’ve visited and what makes that location so special?
A: (from Elle Macpherson) Ningaloo Reef, a virtually untouched area in Western Australia, a beautiful haven of clear, tropical waters an endless blue sky.
Taken from “Getting Intimate with Elle”

I already knew that Ningaloo is one of Elle’s favourite destinations. She used to fly in on an exclusive jet for some R & R with her family. We’d all find out about it well and truly after they’d gone. The locals around here aren’t too fussed by glamorous stars, although I reckon if the male population had of found out, there would have been an entourage of local boys finding their way down there. I wouldn’t have bothered… it would have been far too depressing; at 5′4 I would merely vanish in her presence :)

I participated in a safari tour from Exmouth one day - the tour operator was an old Exmouth Legend - Neil McLeod. He told us about when Elle came to Ningaloo to film some ads for Tourism WA. He walked us through the experience… Neil on a beach with Elle who is topless (yes, that’s right, topless!!) getting her tea. Every man on the tour was green with envy!

So why would Elle love it here so much? I guess for the same reason that so many of us get stuck here: the pristine turquoise waters, amazing marine life and the huge stretch of vacant sandy beaches. We have paradise at our back door. My trip around Australia started and finished with Exmouth. It is one of the most amazing places in Australia. From a backdrop of rugged red canyons to the glistening pristine water, with the creatures that occupy both earth and sea - truly amazing. There is ALWAYS something you will come across that will take your breath away!

So, as the latest Tourism WA ad campaign says, “Where the bloody hell are ya?” Get out to the Cape Range National Park for an experience of a lifetime!

Well of course I’m biased - I live on the Coral Coast and the Ningaloo Reef is my love, life and livelihood, so to me, Ningaloo is perfect all year round.

But for many people, spring is THE time to come. Temperatures are rising with daytime max averaging 30-36C. If this seems a little on the warm side, the reliable afternoon breezes come in every day to cool you down.

Then of course there’s the cooling effect of swimming and snorkelling over the stunning reef, which in places is just a few metres from the beach. Water temperatures are between 26 and 30C, cool enough to be refreshing, warm enough to save you from shivering.

If all this sounds appealing as a way to wind down after a winter in the city, I’d recommend the Ningaloo Reef Retreat. There are few more relaxing spots. It’s an ecologically sound, luxurious tented camp and right in the dunes just south of Turquoise Bay. And when I say ‘luxurious’, I mean real luxury camping with pine furniture, wooden floors, ensuite solar showers and hammocks on the front deck of your tent.

Whenever you feel like cooling off, you can just stroll down to the water’s edge, wade in and you’re there - hanging over the reef with a whole crowd of marine creatures darting around you. Guides at the camp can also take you out sea kayaking, help you find sea turtles, and direct you to the best walks in the gorges of the Cape Range National Park, just a few minutes away.

What also makes the Retreat interesting is the communal dining experience. The camp sleeps around a dozen guests, and most choose to join in together at the camp kitchen to cook and eat dinner outdoors by candlelight. Even the least sociable find themselves drawn into this wonderfully Australian atmosphere of mateship over a glass or two and an ocean sunset - a fabulous way to unwind.

True blue Aussies - or visitors wanting a real Australian camping experience - can even choose to sleep in a good old swag under the stars.

Contact us or the Retreat to find out more.

September and October are fantastic months here in Ningaloo’s North West Cape, thanks to the wildflowers dotting the ranges - more than 630 species I’m told.

You can see the flowers by following the Cape Range Trail independently, or we recommend a tour with Ningaloo Safari’s Dave Mongan. Dave has taken over this popular tour company, which was built up by Neil McLeod - a local legend proudly supported by his mum’s famous fruit cake!

I love this Sydney Morning Herald article, which captures the character of the tour. Don’t miss it - whatever time of year you come. Dave not only hunts down the wildflowers, but local wildlife and photo opportunities too, with a Yardie Creek boat trip and snorkelling at Turquoise Bay thrown in for good measure.

Contact us if you’d like to book this tour. We can also help with accommodation and marine-based adventures to round out your holiday.

Isn’t it fantastic that our reef has so much attention at the moment?!

Our pristine Ningaloo Reef hosts thousands of different species of fish and coral; the pristine waters need to be seen personally to be believed.

From Exmouth it is possible to access the Ningaloo Reef from the Cape Range National Park. This is located approx 30 min drive from the town centre.

Once within the National Park boundaries; there is an endless coastline of turquoise waters; unspoiled sandy beaches and snorkeling just a stones throw off the shore.

During the summer months the water temp is absolute beautiful (however the scorching summer heat can leave a lot to be desired); it can be a little cooler in the middle of winter; however the clear bright skies and warm sun; still make it a pleasurable experience.

Some of my favourite snorkel spots are: Turquoise Bay, Lakeside & Oyster Stacks. At all 3 locations there is an abundance of beautiful coral, colourful reef fish and the odd white tipped Reef Shark. It truly is an amazing experience!

This is a great post by ‘Dingo Divas’; they have tapped into some more of the fascinating aspects of Exmouth, in this case swimming with green turtles, clownfish, and the canyons and gorges:
Trip Around Australia - Cape Range NP / Ningaloo Reef.

Love reading this kind of travel post, if you see any good ones, send me a link.