The area between Ningaloo and Shark Bay has recently become one of 15 Australian National Landscapes.
National Landscapes is a partnership initiative between tourism and conservation bodies to promote Australia’s world class, high quality visitor experiences and protect our natural and cultural assets.
With so many places of rich beauty, history and cultural significance, National Landscapes aims to make the traveller’s life easier by pointing out those truly iconic, must-see destinations in Australia.
What's special about the Ningaloo - Shark Bay area?
- The Ningaloo Coast is the 19th place in Australia to be recognised on the World Heritage List. The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage area offers a stunning contrast between rich coral reefs and arid landscapes. The annual coral spawning at Ningaloo Reef attracts the largest number of the world's largest fish - the whale shark - anywhere in the world.
- The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area is on the easternmost point of the West Australian coast and covers more than 600,000 hectares and stretches for more than 200 kilometres.
- Visitors will also see manta rays, dugongs, marine turtles, humpback whales and ancient wave-swept coral structures off the rugged limestone peninsula.
- Shark Bay became a World Heritage site in 1991, and is one of only a handful of sites around the world to meet all four natural criteria to become listed.
- Significant sites around Shark Bay - numerous sites contribute to the Shark Bay area's World Heritage status, including the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool and Shell Beach.
- Cultural significance - Maritime, pioneering and Indigenous history abound between Shark Bay and Ningaloo.
- Dugong encounters - The Shark Bay Marine Park is home to ten percent of the world's dugong population, making it one of the largest and most significant populations on earth.
More about National Landscapes
Australia’s National Landscapes program was launched in December 2006 and the program now has 15 monumental landscapes from around Australia that are recognised as part of the initiative. Ningaloo to Shark Bay is in the company of other extraordinary places around Australia such as Kakadu, the Kimberley, and the Great Ocean Road. Head to the National Landscapes website for more information.