The Ningaloo Coast is a World Heritage Site located in the north west coastal region of Western Australia. The 705015 ha heritage-listed area is located approximately 1200 km north of Perth, along the East Indian Ocean. The distinctive Ningaloo Reef that fringes the Ningaloo Coast is 260 km long and is Australia's largest fringing coral reef and the only large reef positioned very close to a landmass. The Muiron Islands and Cape Farquhar are within this coastal zone. The coast and reef draw their name from the Australian Aboriginal Wajarri language word ningaloo meaning "promontory", "deepwater", or "high land jutting into the sea". The Yamatji peoples of the Baiyungu and Yinigudura are the traditional owners of the area.

Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Site

The World Heritage status of the region was created and negotiated in 2011, and the adopted boundary included the Ningaloo 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. The site was gazetted on the Australian National Heritage List on 6 January 2010 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In 1987, the reef and surrounding waters were designated as the Ningaloo Marine Park.

Reputation

Although most famed for its whale sharks which feed there during March to August, the reef is also rich in coral and other marine life. During the winter months, the reef is part of the migratory routes for dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and humpback whales. The beaches of the reef are an important breeding ground of the loggerhead, green and hawksbill 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 other marine invertebrates. The reef is less than 0.5 km offshore in some areas, such as Coral Bay. In 2006, researchers from the Australian 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. The short-nosed sea snake, thought to have been extinct for 17 years, was found on Ningaloo Reef in December 2015.

Conservation controversy

During the early 2000s, significant controversy arose over the proposed construction of a resort at Mauds Landing, a crucial nesting ground for the loggerhead turtle. It was also feared that the resort would be generally degrading to the entire marine park. Author Tim Winton, who lives in the area, was vocal in his opposition to the development. In 2002, when he won the WA Premier's Book Award, he donated the A$25,000 prize money to the community campaign to save the reef. Ultimately the planned resort did not go ahead. However, developers continue to take an interest in the area.

Ningaloo Collaborative Research Cluster

The Ningaloo Collaboration Cluster, an extensive research initiative commenced in 2007 within the region, forms a vital part of the CSIRO flagship Collaboration Fund Research Initiative. The project involves researchers from the CSIRO, Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre and a range of Australian Universities including Curtin University of Technology, Murdoch University, University of Western Australia, Australian National University and the University 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 of Exmouth, Coral Bay, and Carnarvon. 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 the WA Department of Environment and Conservation, the Shires of Carnarvon and Exmouth, local tourism organisations and Tourism WA, the Gascoyne Development Commission, the WA Department of Water and Environment, researchers from Wealth from the Oceans and Ningaloo Project, Chambers of Commerce, WA Department of Energy and Resources, WA Department of Fisheries, the WA Department 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.

Specific reserved areas

National parks and reserves in the World Heritage Area

Bays of the World Heritage area

Islands of the World Heritage area

Peninsulas of the World Heritage area

Marine Park zones

Coastal forecast area

Ningaloo Coast is a designated weather forecast area, by the Bureau of Meteorology.