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"Exmouth : a very remote town" a Exmouth Travel Page by Purpleshade

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"Exmouth : a very remote town" a Exmouth Travel Page by Purpleshade

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Purpleshade    
Don't argue with idiots, they'll only drag you down to their level and then win by experience


Real Name: Lesley
Lives In: Rockingham, AU
Member Since: May 27, 2005
VT Rank: 769

 

Page Views: 1,154            Last Visit to Exmouth: May, 2008      

Exmouth : a very remote town

by Purpleshade - last update: May 16, 2008

Frangipani tree in the centre of Exmouth at night
Exmouth is a tiny town (about 2,000 people) in a very remote area on the most western tip of north west Australia.
It only exists because of the miliatary base and the oil rigs, 20 years ago there was almost nothing here.
It's the closest town to the Ningaloo Reef, one of the rare places in the world where the fringing coral reef comes to within a few metres of the beach.

The town swells to about 10,000 in peak tourist sesaon (June, July) when it's not so hot and there is no danger of cyclones. There are lots of cafes and restaurants, several campsites, 3 backpackers and several hotels, including the new Novotel Ningaloo Resort which is now almost finished on Sunrise Beach.
I went there in May, when it's still quite quiet, with just a few tourists in town for the Whale Shark Festival.
It was still quite hot(about 30c every day) which meant it was perfect weather for snorkelling.

It is an absolutely amazing place!
Kangaroos and emus running around in the streets (no need to mow the front lawn, the roos come and trim it for you), nearby stunning beaches with coral reef swarming with fish-whale sharks, hump back whales, reefsharks, turtles and manta rays at different times of the year. There's also canyons to explore, an ecological adventurer's delight.

NB Don't come here if you want shopping or nightlife, there's hardly any!
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Big snapper in knee deep water at Coral Bay
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While wading through the lagoon at Coral Bay, we found these big fish who were not at all afraid of people. Apparently the tourist boats throw bait over the side to attract them and they follow the boats back to shore.
Coral washed up on the beach at Turquoise Bay
The amount of coral on the beach at Turquoise Bay was amazing! It was so beautiful, I desperately wanted to bring somehome with me, but all the beaches in the Cape Range National Park are protected and it's not permitted...so I took photos instead.

If you come here, do protect the reef and it's environs! It's virtually unspoiled as it's only just becoming popular for tourists.
#Be very careful not to stand on or touch the corals, they are very fragile.
#Be very careful not to leave rubbish, especially cans and plastic bags.
#Be especially carefull not to leave any plastic on the beach, turtles are not very bright and try to eat them and choke.

Exmouth Visitors Centre
http://www.exmouthwa.com.au/search.asp

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Pros:"Amazing snorkelling and wildlife"
Cons:"Very hot and isolated"
Purpleshade's Exmouth Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 6 - Photos: 16
 
Restaurants
Tips: 3 - Photos: 8
Hotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
Tips: 7 - Photos: 25
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 3 - Photos: 1
 
Transportation
Tips: 4 - Photos: 3
Local Customs
 
Packing Lists
Tips: 1
Shopping
Tips: 5 - Photos: 8
 
Sports Travel
Tips: 1 - Photos: 5
General Tips

Purpleshade's Exmouth Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Textures. Patterns and Colour from ExmouthMay, 2007 8
After the floods.May, 2008 4
The Communication towersMay, 2008 4

Comments for Purpleshade about Exmouth
margaretvn Sun Aug 23, 2009 08:47 UTC
 what a great apge and your photos are beautiful - I really love that first one
balhannah Sun Apr 19, 2009 23:25 UTC
 Nice write up on Exmouth. Looks like the tourists have found it, not as touristy 40 years ago.
aussirose Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:08 UTC
 I'm glad I came back for a 2nd look Lesley :o) This place is gorgeous!!....and I definately wanna go now! Love the beach pix! especially the surfer one with the wooden seat!...and the Mangrove swap looks like a nice place to visit :o) Hugs xx
calcaf38 Sun Sep 9, 2007 03:28 UTC
 What an interesting page, even I could learn to relax in a place like this. Yes, it has been my experience that watery yogurt and buttermilk are interchangeable in baking and Indian cooking. Thanks for visiting my Pennsylvania pages.
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