the Carnarvon / Gascoyne region of WA

Introduction

The Gascoyne has the lowest population of any region of Western Australia (<10,000 people, over half live in Carnarvon where 18% are indigenous)
600 km (370 mi) of Indian Ocean coastline
extends inland about 500 km with area of 135,073.8 km²
rainfall is low 200 mm (8 in), most of which occurs as a result of cyclonic activity during Dec-May
mainly scrublands with spinifex and mulga, and with very little tree cover
main industries are tourism, fishing, horticulture along the banks of the river while salt and gypsum are mined at Lake MacLeod, north of Carnarvon
the Ningaloo Reef
- 260km long reef, 1200km north of Perth
- Australia's largest fringing coral reef and the only large reef positioned very close to a landmass (<500m from shore at Coral Bay)
- most famed for its whale sharks which feed there during March to August, the reef is also rich in coral and other marine life
- during the winter months, the reef is part of the migratory routes for dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and humpback whales
- important breeding ground of the loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.
- beach camping and fishing, snorkeling, etc but very soft sand access, no shade, and can have large tidal ranges to be aware of
Shark Bay World Heritage Site
- the westernmost point of the Australian continent and 800km north of Perth
- initially dry and occupied by Aborigines up to 22,000yrs ago, it became flooded and has remained a bay when sea levels rose 6000-8000 yrs ago
- one of the largest and most diverse seagrass beds in the world
- stromatolites
- large population of dugongs
- the site of Australia's first pearling industry when production of mother-of-pearl began in January 1850
- Shell Beach - one of only two beaches in the world made entirely from shells, beach is covered with shells for a 60 km stretch to a depth of 7–10 metres
- is becoming over-touristy

Towns

Carnarvon
Exmouth
Denham
Gascoyne Junction
Coral Bay