Australia's Coral Coast - Shark Bay Marine Park : DriveWA

Shark Bay Marine Park

Francois Peron NP, image courtesy fo Len Zell

Shark Bay is a testimony to the wonders of the natural world. World Heritage listed since 1991 it is one of only 16 sites in the world to satisfy all four criteria for the prestigious listing. The four areas are; major stages of the world’s evolutionary history, geological and biological processes, natural beauty and threatened species.

The major stages of the world’s evolutionary history are satisfied by the most diverse and abundant examples of prokaryotic, three dimensional, grazing stromatolites in the world. Hamelin Pool offer the only extensive living collection of these beautiful specimens. Made up of layered rocks, they are the oldest life form on the planet dating back to 3.5 million years ago. Although the structures at Shark Bay are relatively new, only about 3000 years old, they have helped to unravel the history of life on earth.

Stromatolites grow in Hamelin Pool because of the extreme salinity of the seawater, the limited circulation and the occurrence of calcium carbonate. This environment evolved over 10,000 years to become the perfect environment for the microbes to flourish. Stromatolites also grow extremely slowly, less than 1mm per year!

Shark Bay is home to an abundance of threatened species including, 51 plants only found in that region, five endangered mammals, six endemic bird species, eight endemic reptile species and the magnificent loggerhead turtles that use Shark Bay as their main nesting site.

There is also a profusion of more common species such as manta rays, green turtles, humpback whales, and the famous Monkey Mia dolphins that visit the beach each day to interact with tourists. There are also around 10,000 dugongs which forage in the safety of the Shark Bay Marine Park.

Within this area lies the opportunity to see nature at its finest.

Best Western Hospitality Inn Geraldton

The Best Western Hospitality Inn Geraldton offers 52 well appointed and extremely comfortable rooms as well as deluxe self contained apartments. The rooms boast a host of facilities such as air conditioning, internet facilities, free in-house movies and FOXTEL. The Inn also offers spacious grounds and an outdoor pool along with a guest BBQ area. more

Ningaloo Reef Retreat

Ningaloo Reef Retreat is your portal to the award winning eco camp on the reef in Cape Range National Park. So join the expert guides at the Ningaloo Reef Retreat and discover more than you ever imagined. more

The Mackerel Islands, Thevenard Island

The Mackerel Islands - the ideal place to relax and fish on your own special island The pristine coral reefs are home to a myriad of colourful reef fish and stunning coral formations. The islands are a diver’s paradise. Fishermen will also be astonished by the Mackerel’s; offering many five start species off the beach and out to see. more

Geraldton

Geraldton’s sunny climate and great fishing makes it a popular holiday destination. Located 424km north of Perth, Geraldton has a population of 25,243. more

Carnarvon

Carnarvon has a great sunny climate (due to it's location near the Tropic of Capricorn) that is ideal for fruit plantations and relaxing holidays. Situated 902km north of Perth, Carnarvon has a population of 6,901. more

Shark Bay Marine Park

Shark Bay has been termed one of the most remarkable places on Earth. World Heritage listed in 1991, this amazing destination is adorned with magnificent bays, inlets and tropical islands. The aquatic life of Shark Bay is alive with variety; providing a unique selection of fish species, turtles, dolphins, whales, prawns, and dugong. The corals, sponges, and other invertebrates add to the life of the area. However, the most fascinating feature is Shark Bay Marine Park’s seagrass ecosystem. The Park has the larges area of seagrass and larges number of species ever recoded in one place in the world. With 12 species of seagrass, and a phenomenal 9 species found in a square metre, Shark Bay is a true natural wonder. Hamelin Pool brings an additional sense of marvel to the area. Located in the saltine waters, the pool has evidence of the beginning of life on Earth, the Stromatolites. There are only two places on the Earth where these organisms are known to occur and can be easily seen from the shore. These 'living fossils' which are between 2000 - 3000 million years old are among the oldest found on earth. more

Coolimba Coast

Coolimba access is located opposite the Coolimba-Eneabba Road junction on the Indian Ocean Drive. Gum Tree Bay is some 12km north with Illawong a further 10kmalong the track. more

Seashells Resort Yallingup

1 and 2 bed fully self-contained apartments and studio spa rooms adjacent to the heritage listed Caves House Hotel. more


There are no items in your itinerary. Please continue browsing and click to add items of interest.

Shark Bay Marine Park

Search This Region For: