Motorhome Australia Episode 16 - Ningaloo Coast, Coral Bay, Quobba скачать в хорошем качестве

Motorhome Australia Episode 16 - Ningaloo Coast, Coral Bay, Quobba

The next part of journey took us further down the Ningaloo Coast.     This area is known as the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia.   Our next stop is Coral Bay which is around 200kms south of exmouth. With a small diversion we dropped into Bullara Station again for a coffee and Sausage roll for morning tea.   Coral Bay is a small coastal town on the edge of the Ningaloo reef.  Its renouned for it crystal clear turquoise waters and incredible snorkelling that can be accessed directly from the family friendly beaches   We arrived 3 days before the school holidays and town was already near capacity.   The big fish teased us on our first day beach walk, so the following day, the snorkeling gear was out and we went to see what lay below the turquoise surface   Billys bay is marine sanctuary.   The fish were plentiful, curious and even interactive.   The corals formations were incredible however they were severly beached and covered in seaweed.   We were told by locals that Ningaloo Reef experienced severe coral bleaching and mass mortality in 2022 and again 2025, which was driven by marine heatwaves and high nutrient levels.   We can only image its former colours and vibrance however despite the lack of colour, the coral formation were still eerily beautiful.   Most of the fish appeared happy to swim between the reef and beach and interact with the humans, which made effortless for us to enjoy them.   Coral Bay offers numerous experiences, including Quadbiking, Fishing, sailing, reef tours and so much more.  Since we missed out on the Whales sharks, we were determined to swim the other giants of the sea, the gaint Manta Rays   Ningaloo Marine Interactions team, picked us up from their  Tour shopfront in the shopping arcade and bused to Coral Bay boat ramp.  There we board the boat "West End" and headed out to the reef.   With the morning clouds partially concealing the sun, the colour of water was a bit subdued, but when the broke through  it was stunning   The skipper Frazer, is a Manta Ray researcher and local expert.  He provided insightful commentary on the health of the reef.   The first reef swimming enabled the crew to make sure our equipment was suitable and well fitted and also to assess our snorkellig capabilities.   On our way to the deeper and sandier bottom zone and before encountering the Giant & Majestic Manta rays, the crew educated us on Manta ray anatomy, identification and behaviours.   With our goggles, snorkels and cameras ready, we stood on the boats duck board, awaiting the instruction to jump and swim towards the spotter.  The drop-in point was a distance in front of the Manta Rays swim direction and quickly they were gliding gracefully below.   Group 2 was dropped in at the next manta ray interception point, and then group 1 was picked up and reset on the duck board to do it over again.    Exilerated and puffed, we left the Giant Manta Rays behind and sailed to a nearby reef to experience other underwater wonders of the Ningaloo reef.   Spotting dolphins and turtles on the way home was an addtional treat.   With little energy left after jumping off boats and chasing Manta Rays, we strolled across the road to Bill's tavern for dinner.   Leaving Coral bay we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, this time heading south.  Our destination was Quobba, which is approximately 270km south.   A point of interest on the way in to Quobba was the Beta Carotene Production Facilty.  This facility produces Natural Food Colour, Antioxidants and Pro-vitamin beta carotene using Algal biotechnology.    The ponds are filled with Brine water from aquifiers below Lake MacLeod and cultured with a microscopic saltwater algae.   When exposed with intense sunlight & high salt concentrations this algae produces large amounts of orange-red pigment to protect itself, which is cultivated and Beta Carotene is extracted and purified.   Beta Carotene is exported throughout the world where it is used for food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and healthcare products.   We were guided into Quobba by the lighthouse and the pink kite.  The Iconic "King Waves Kill" sign welcomed us on arrival.  Its not just a photo opportunity but a genuine reminder that this coastal area has seen its fair share of tragedy from big wave.   When the waves are pumping so to is the Quobba blowhole.   A few hundred metre away is a protected cove called the Aquarium.  A local told us the snorkelling tide is perfect, right now.  So we grab our gear and boy were we treated with an Aquarium display in knee to waist deep water   We camped behind the dunes at the Quobba Blowholes camping reserve and planned the next few days ahead.   Join us on the next episode as we continue our adventures down the Western Australian coast.