Things to do in Coral Coast & Pilbara
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Cape Range National Park
Stunning Cape Range National Park covers 510 sq km, about a third of the North-West Cape peninsula, and is rich in wildlife – kangaroos, emus, echidnas and lizards are easily spotted on a walk or drive through the park. Spectacular deep canyons and rugged red limestone gorges dramatically cut into the range and flow with deep blue water that mirrors the cliffs when calm. The gorges gradually give way to white sand, which leads to the crystal waters of Ningaloo Reef.
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Millstream-Chichester National Park
Around 120km south of Roebourne, this 2000-sq-km park is well worth a detour – you’ll be rewarded by panoramic vistas reminiscent of the USA’s Monument Valley.
The unstaffed Millstream visitors centre (h8am-4pm) was once the homestead of a pastoral station and now has excellent displays on the park’s history, ecosystems and traditional owners, the Yindjibarndi people.
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Coral Bay Ecotours
This respected, ecocertified outfit offers popular glass-bottom boat cruises (one/two hour cruise $30/45) with stops for snorkelling, as well as five-hour wildlife-watching cruises ($140) where you can swim with manta rays. It also has 1½-hour sunset cruises ($40), whale-watching cruises in season ($125), and you can book scenic flights here.
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Whalers Restaurant
Delicious Creole- influenced seafood is the star attraction at this Exmouth institution. Sit back on the leafy verandah and sample the signature New Orleans gumbo or soft-shell crab. The lunch menu is more bistro-like.
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Exmouth Minigolf
Small-group sailing adventures with a focus on learning to sail. There are two-hour twilight cruises ($150 per person), all-day cruises ($400) and live-aboard sailing trips lasting two days ($790) or five days ($1390).
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Coral Bay Adventures
This excellent company offers half- and full-day trips where you can wildlife watch ($85/$190), swim with whale sharks ($390) or manta rays ($165), whale watch ($110) or view coral from a glass-bottom boat (one/two hours $33/46). It also provides free snorkel hire for the length of your stay.
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Ningaloo Health Foods
This charming little cafe serves delicious breakfasts (pancakes with berries and maple syrup), light lunches (Thai salads, chicken or tofu wraps), plus mango lassis, fresh juices, smoothies and excellent coffees.
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Bernie’s Place
The sweet Philippine owner whips up tasty, nicely spiced Asian dishes at this homey restaurant. The menu changes regularly, but usually includes spring rolls, curry puffs, chilli mussels and vegetarian options.
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Fins Cafe
Book ahead for dinner at this intimate outdoor BYO with its ever-changing blackboard menu showcasing local seafood, Asian-style curries and Mediterranean-Oz fusion dishes.
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Dalgety House Museum
Charming Dalgety House Museum, dating to 1903, is one of the few remaining examples of early-20th-century architecture. Displays tell the story of Port Hedland’s early development days.
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Bruno's Pizzeria & Ristorante
Locals swear by the generous servings of honest Italian at Bruno's Pizzeria & Ristorante . There is a supermarket and café at the Boulevard Shopping Centre.
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Mantaray's Bar & Brasserie
Novotel Ningaloo's in-house restaurant is the perfect place for a long, lazy waterside lunch with local, quality ingredients, affordable dishes and the best view in town.
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Capricorn Sea Kayaking
Offers coastal and camping tours by sea kayak from April to October, including one-, two- and five-day tours, with stops for snorkelling and lunch. Also offers multiday kayaking trips in Shark Bay.
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Harbour Café
Near the visitors centre, the Harbour Café cooks satisfying breakfasts (eggs Benedict, Mexican wraps) as well as hearty lunch fare (meat pies, sausage rolls, tandoori chicken) and decent coffee.
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Courthouse Arts Centre & Gallery
Courthouse Arts Centre & Gallery has a rotation of contemporary art exhibitions, as well as a gallery shop that sells Aboriginal and local art and crafts.
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Port Hedland Yacht Club
Locals loved the old tin Yachtie for its cheap drinks, great Thai kitchen and water views. A swish new replacement was being built next door, so expect prices to rise accordingly.
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Ningaloo Dreaming
This ecocertified company offers whale-shark cruises, wildlife spotting, trips to Muiron Islands, scuba-diving courses and dives off biologically rich Exmouth Navy Pier.
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Golden Orchid
If you’re craving Chinese food, head here for tasty king-prawn chow mein, tofu and vegetables and Szechuan seafood. The $9 lunch specials are excellent value. BYO.
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Ningaloo Ecology Cruises
One-hour glass-bottom-boat trips (April to October), and longer 2½-hour trips (all year) including snorkelling. Tours leave from Tantabiddi; there's a free transfer from town.
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Ningaloo Reef Dive
This PADI- and eco-certified dive crew offers snorkelling with whale sharks ($365, from late March to June), reef dives ($160) and a range of dive courses (from $380).
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Ningaloo Kayak Adventures
On the main beach. Offers two- and three-hour kayak tours with stops for snorkelling. You can also hire a glass-bottom canoe ($25 per hour) and wetsuit and snorkelling gear ($15 per day).
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Pinocchio
Located inside the Exmouth Ningaloo caravan park, this licensed alfresco ristorante is popular with locals and travellers alike.
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Reef Cafe
While this licensed family-friendly bistro at Bayview Resort features seafood and steaks, most people come for its pizzas and gelato.
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Ningaloo Minigolf
Rent a mountain bike ($20 per day) or a kayak ($50 per day) from Ningaloo Minigolf.
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Road Runner
Road Runner, overlooking Dampier Harbour, has typical pub fare and outdoor seating.
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