FUN AND GAMES ON THE ROAD TO EXMOUTH
Anyone that has visited the Ningaloo Reef knows how amazing it is. Unlike the more famous Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo reef is situated just metres off the beach, no boat trips required, and therefore no added costs. The only difficulty is getting there but it is well worth the effort.
Located approximately 1,300 kilometres north of Perth, on the west coast of Australia, it is basically “in the middle of no-where!” You can fly from Perth to Learmonth airport, near Exmouth, and if you are short on time this is your best option. Flights can be reasonably priced if booked well in advance, but if not you will find they are around $300 each way. Again, this is not too extravagant considering you can swim with all manner of amazing creatures such as manta rays, sting rays, reef sharks, whale sharks, octopus and countless varieties of tropical fish when you get there, but for the budget traveller that is big on time but low on cash, taking an all-inclusive tour or hiring a vehicle and creating your own adventure, is the more attractive option.
Tours that travel from Perth to Exmouth take five or six days one way, depending on which tour company you travel with, and seven or eight days return to Perth. It’s a big distance to cover – about the same distance as Paris to Rome – and there are some amazing natural wonders to see along the way, and that’s the whole point. A journey along the west coast is definitely not about seeing historical villages, awe inspiring cathedrals and ancient architecture. Instead it is about the wide open spaces, timeless landscapes and unique natural wonders that cannot be found any where else in the world. A tour is a great way to travel, especially if you are travelling alone, because you will be taken to “the best bits” that are otherwise hard to get to. Relax and enjoy the ride and get to meet some great people along the way.
Driving the west coast of Australia is brilliant. The roads are good, flat, and it is almost impossible to get lost. A vehicle you can sleep in is a bonus because there are so many great places to stay the night. In fact the west coast of Australia is one of the best places in the world for a remote “outback” road trip. It is politically safe, sparsely populated and the environment is pristine. There is no trouble with finding the next petrol station, or places to have an ice cold beer, and there is an abundance of good weather. Not just good, but good and hot.
The water along the coast is clean and clear. The beaches have soft white sand. The sun is shining almost every day, and the wonders of the Ningaloo reef is the pot of gold at the end of the journey. It is well worth the effort.