On June 24, 2011 UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention recently inscribed new areas as protected World Heritage Areas. This is fantastic news for the  Ningaloo Coast as it  is afforded international protection from development and protected area.

Australia has 19 protected sites.

Criteria: (vii)(x)

The 604,500 hectare marine and terrestrial property of Ningaloo Coast, on the remote western coast of Australia, includes one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world. On land the site features an extensive karst system and network of underground caves and water courses. Annual gatherings of whale sharks occur at Ningaloo Coast, which is home to numerous marine species, among them a wealth of sea turtles. The terrestrial part of the site features subterranean water bodies with a substantial network of caves, conduits, and groundwater streams. They support a variety of rare species that contribute to the exceptional biodiversity of the marine and terrestrial site.

I have featured this part of the world in a previous blog with a stunning video showing the surrounding area and one of the camps we use there.  This is one of the most pristine reefs in all of Australia and is definitely worth a visit if you can spare the time to get to the west coast.

Happy Travels!

Ian