The United Nations’ cultural body, UNESCO, over the weekend gave world heritage status to Western Australia’s Ningaloo Coast. The picturesque remote environment is home to sea turtles and an annual gathering of white whales.
World heritage listing is considered an invaluable tool for both tourism and environmental protection. And will mean that the Reef and beautiful coastline will remain intact for future generations to enjoy. The Ningaloo Coast is Australia’s 19th listing. Other listed sites include the Wet Tropics of Queensland, the Tasmanian Wilderness and Kakadu National Park. The Ningaloo world heritage area, on the easternmost point of the West Australian coast, covers more than 600,000ha and stretches for more than 200km.
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said the listing provided international recognition of the outstanding natural values of a truly spectacular Australian landscape. “The Ningaloo Coast’s striking land and seascape tells a dramatic story about the formation of oceans, movement of continents and changes in our climate," he said. “With more than 200 kilometres of spectacular coral reef off a rugged limestone peninsula, the Ningaloo Coast is a stunning and unique contrast between reef and arid landscape."
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Exclusive safari camp on a deserted stretch of beach in the Cape Range National Park, where the magnificent corals of Ningaloo Reef are just metres offshore. Nine spacious ensuite wilderness tents on raised platforms are 50 metres back from the water’s edge and the world’s greatest fringing coastal coral reef.
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