| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
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 Interactive map of Ningaloo Coast | |
| Location | Western Australia, Australia |
| Criteria | Natural: (vii), (x) |
| Reference | 1369 |
| Inscription | 2011 (35thSession) |
| Area | 705,015 ha (1,742,130 acres) |
| Coordinates | 22°33′45″S113°48′37″E / 22.56250°S 113.81028°E /-22.56250; 113.81028 |
  Ningaloo Coast Location of Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia | |
TheNingaloo Coast is aWorld Heritage Site located in thenorth west coastal region ofWestern Australia. The 705,015-hectare (1,742,130-acre) heritage-listed area is located approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) north ofPerth, along theEast Indian Ocean. The distinctiveNingaloo Reef that fringes the Ningaloo Coast is 260 kilometres (160 mi) long and is Australia's largest fringingcoral reef and the only large reef positioned very close to a landmass.[1][2] TheMuiron Islands andCape Farquhar are within this coastal zone.
The coast and reef draw their name from theAustralian AboriginalWajarri language wordningaloo meaning 'promontory', 'deepwater', or 'high land jutting into the sea'. TheYamatji peoples of the Baiyungu and Yinigudura are the traditional owners of the area.[3][4]
The reef attracts 200,000 tourists each year.[5] In 2011 and 2025, the reef was hit by bleaching events caused bymarine heatwaves.[5][6]
The World Heritage status of the region was created and negotiated in 2011, and the adopted boundary included theNingaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth waters), Ningaloo Marine Park (State waters) and Muiron Islands Marine Management Area (including the Muiron Islands), Jurabi Coastal Park, Bundegi Coastal Park,Cape Range National Park, and the Learmonth Air Weapons Range.[7][8] The site wasgazetted on theAustralian National Heritage List on 6 January 2010 under theEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.[9]
In 1987, the reef and surrounding waters were designated as the Ningaloo Marine Park.[1]
Although most famed for itswhale sharks which feed there during March to August, the reef is also rich incoral and other marine life. During the winter months, the reef is part of the migratory routes fordolphins,dugongs,manta rays andhumpback whales.[10][11] The beaches of the reef are an important breeding ground of theloggerhead,green andhawksbill turtles. They also depend on the reef for nesting and food. The Ningaloo supports an abundance of fish (500 species), corals (300 species), molluscs (600 species) and many othermarine invertebrates.
The reef is less than 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi) offshore in some areas, such asCoral Bay.[12] In 2006, researchers from theAustralian Institute of Marine Science discovered gardens of sponges in the marine park's deeper waters that are thought to be species completely new to science.[12] Theshort-nosed sea snake, thought to have been extinct for 17 years, was found on Ningaloo Reef in December 2015.[13]
During the early 2000s, significant controversy arose over the proposed construction of aresort atMauds Landing, a crucial nesting ground for theloggerhead turtle. It was also feared that the resort would be generally degrading to the entire marine park. AuthorTim Winton, who lives in the area, was vocal in his opposition to the development.[14] In 2002, when he won theWA Premier's Book Award, he donated theA$25,000 prize money, equivalent toA$41,412 in 2022, to the community campaign to save the reef.[15] Ultimately the planned resort did not go ahead.[16] However, developers continue to take an interest in the area.[citation needed]
The Ningaloo Collaboration Cluster, an extensive research initiative commenced in 2007 within the region, forms a vital part of theCSIRO flagship Collaboration Fund Research Initiative. The project involves researchers from the CSIRO,Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre and a range of Australian Universities includingCurtin University of Technology,Murdoch University,University of Western Australia,Australian National University and theUniversity of Queensland. The project aims to create a dynamic model of Ningaloo that integrates socioeconomic factors and environmental impacts resulting from human activities in the region. This model will be combined with an ecological model of the area, ultimately serving to develop planning tools and management models. The primary goal is to facilitate sustainable utilization of the region's resources.
The study entails gathering and analysing socioeconomic data from both tourists and the local communities ofExmouth,Coral Bay, andCarnarvon. It also encompasses the collection of data on the environmental impact of human activities, encompassing natural resource utilization, waste generation, pollution, visual implications, and effects on flora and fauna. The interactive project involves key stakeholders in the region including theDepartment of Environment and Conservation, the shires ofCarnarvon andExmouth, local tourism organisations andTourism Western Australia, theGascoyne Development Commission, theDepartment of Water and Environmental Regulation, researchers from Wealth from the Oceans and Ningaloo Project,Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia,WA Department of Energy and Resources,Department of Fisheries, theDepartment for Planning and Infrastructure, the Ningaloo Sustainable Development Committee and Ningaloo Sustainable Development Office, Yamatji Land and Sea Council representatives, and the Ningaloo research community along with other cluster project members and the state's Ningaloo project. The project involves collaborating with regional planners and managers to analyse the development and management of tourism.
Ningaloo Coast is a designated weather forecast area, by theBureau of Meteorology.[19]
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