List ranks Ningaloo better than the Great Barrier Reef
Ningaloo Reef has been ranked higher than the Great Barrier Reef on the list of Australia’s top 20 greatest holiday experiences.
The ranking by travel magazine Australian Traveller is no surprise to the people of Exmouth.
Department of Parks and Wildlife Exmouth regional manager Arvid Hogstrom said easy access was a big plus for the Ningaloo.
He said snorkellers were able to walk into the water from the beach and within metres be swimming over a massive amount of coral.
“The reef boasts more than 700 fish species, more than 300 species of coral and a wide range of marine mega-fauna,” he said.
“All these species, including whale sharks, turtles, humpback whales and sharks, are within a relatively small area.”
Exmouth Visitor Centre manager Kristy Bryan-Smith said the list, which placed Ningaloo Reef at number 12 and The Great Barrier Reef at number 13, had been compiled by a panel of Australian travel and tourism industry experts.
She said more than 12,000 nominations were submitted, making it one of the most comprehensive, unbiased and well-considered gazettes of Australian holidays ever published.
“I’m sure many Queenslanders won’t be too happy about our reef outstripping their famous Great Barrier Reef," she said.
“But if they don’t believe the Ningaloo coast offers a better holiday experience, then I invite them to visit and see for themselves.”
Ms Bryan-Smith said she was thrilled Ningaloo Reef was receiving such high profile recognition.
She said it was the world’s largest fringing coral reef which was why people could snorkel over pristine coral gardens mere metres from the shore.
“The Great Barrier Reef is certainly an amazing marine environment, but there are coastal run-off pollution issues, crowds, Marine Park no-go zones and easy access is just not there,” she said.
“The Ningaloo Reef offers uninhibited access and is totally unsullied by any sort of pollution whatsoever, so the visitor experience is greatly enhanced.”
Mr Hogstrom said the remoteness of World Heritage-listed Ningaloo was an attraction as you could visit the area without the crowds.
“Ningaloo is a unique place, a one-off, and something to be very proud of,” he said.
