(GREAT OTWAY) NORA CAROL PHOTOGRAPHY, (SURFER) MARK CHEW/TOURISM AUSTRALIA, (12 APOSTLES) MANFRED GOTTSCHALK/GETTY IMAGES, (CAMELS) TOM STODDART, (WHALE SHARK) ANSON SMART
AUSTRALIA SPECIAL EDITION 19Swim with the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef.
Gazing through a snorkeling mask at the world’s largest shark is a much sought-after
experience for avid divers and snorkelers: the intricate patterns on the fishes’ skin, the
mesmerizing sway of their huge tails, and their vacuum-cleaner-like mouths. (No worries:
They’re vegetarians.) Whale sharks are regular visitors to Western Australia’s UNESCO
World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast. Pack your fins and plan on coasting silently
through the water alongside them between March and July. While there, learn about the
endangered sea turtles that lay eggs along this coastline at Jurabi Turtle Centre, or dive
the Exmouth Navy Pier, regarded as one of Australia’s top ten scuba sites.Cruise the Kimberley’s wilderness.
The Kimberley, northwest Australia’s remote, untrammeled frontier, is home to natural
scenery writ large. Expedition cruising along its ancient coastline reveals deep gorges
and rocky red escarpments that are rarely seen anywhere else in the world. Join
Zegrahm Expeditions aboard the 65-passenger Coral Discoverer on a 15-day voy-
age from Darwin to Broome (departing May 15, 2018), or Ponant aboard the 132-cabin
L’Austral for an 11-day sailing through the region (departing September 1, 2017). Plan
time for a pre- or post-cruise day in Broome to ride camels on Cable Beach at sunset.GO WEST
Australia’s other coast is big on nature and wildlife.
Cable Beach’s sunset camel
ride and (below) swimming with
whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef.Artisans of Leisure’s eight-day
Western Australia itinerary highlights
the state’s culinary and adventure cred,
exploring limestone karsts around
Perth; winetasting and taking in coastal
scenery in Margaret River; and guided
snorkeling, kayaking, and gorge walks
at Ningaloo Reef.