Ningaloo Coast, Australia
A 604,500-hectare marine and terrestrial property along the East Indian Ocean
Ningaloo coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
The rare mix of intact, diverse and large-scale terrestrial, coastal and marine habitats form an incredible interconnected ecosystem.
Ningaloo coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
The marine portion of the site contains a high diversity of habitats, including lagoon, reef, open ocean, the continental slope and the continental shelf. Intertidal systems such as rocky shores, sandy beaches, estuaries and mangroves are also found within the property.
Ningaloo coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
The most dominant marine habitat is the Ningaloo Reef, one of the longest, most pristine fringing reefs in the world. The reef sustains tropical and temperate marine fauna and flora, including marine reptiles and mammals.
Ningaloo coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
The proximity of Ningaloo Reef to an arid continental coast, where coastal plains and sand dunes are predominant, distinguishes it from the majority of the world’s reefs, which are associated with wet tropical rainforest habitat.
Shark, Ningaloo Coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
The reef is known for its high species diversity, with more than 200 coral, 500 fish, 650 mollusc, 600 crustacean, 1000 marine algae, 155 sponge and 25 echinoderm species found across the continental shelf, slope and deep sea habitats.
Ningaloo coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
An estimated 300-500 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) make their way to Ningaloo annually, around the time of mass coral spawning and seasonal nutrient upwellings. This is one of the largest documented aggregations in the world.
Humpback whale, Ningaloo coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
Ningaloo is also on the migratory route of many whale species, including the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) which, from June each year, can be seen migrating north through Ningaloo Marine Park to mate and calve in the subtropical waters of North West Australia.
Dugong, Ningaloo coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
Globally important and threatened megafauna such as dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, orcas, sharks and turtles also frequent the area.
Turtle nesting, Ningaloo Coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
In fact, the Ningaloo Coast is one of the most important turtle nesting rookeries in the Indian Ocean. Three of the world’s seven species of marine turtle mate in the shallows and nest here: the endangered loggerhead turtle and the vulnerable green and hawksbill turtles.
Cape Range National Park (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
Cape Range, the remains of an ancient sea floor thrust upwards by movements of the Earth’s crust, is the central land-based feature of the area. This rugged limestone range dominates the national park of the same name.
Ashby’s banksia, Ningaloo Coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
The area hosts eucalypt woodlands, acacia scrublands and spinifex grasslands. There are more than 630 plant species on the range, including the Ashby’s banksia (Banksia ashbyi).
Western bowerbird, Ningaloo Coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
More than 160 bird species have been recorded in the area, including the western bowerbird (Clamydera guttata), which will imitate other bird calls and human voices.
Black-flanked rock wallaby, Ningaloo Coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
Many of the gorges in Cape Range National Park provide suitable habitat for the threatened black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis). They live along the steep-sided gorge walls and craggy rock faces, and use their long tails for steering and balance.
Karst system and network of underground caves, Ningaloo Coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
Below Cape Range lies an extensive limestone karst system and network of underground caves and water courses. There have been 535 interconnected caves, measuring up to 100 metres in depth, recorded across six kilometres.
Cave, Ningaloo Coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
These caves have the highest cave fauna (troglomorphic) diversity in Australia. More than 80 species of subterranean fauna inhabit these caves, with the majority only found within this area. Displaying a high level of adaptation to cave life, many are pale and have no eyes
Quondong, Ningaloo Coast (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
The Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) Coast is culturally significant to the Baiyungu, West Thalanyji and Yinigurdira people, who have an ongoing connection to the area which goes back between 30,000 and 60,000 years.
Cape Range National Park (2011) by Ningaloo CoastUNESCO World Heritage
In 2020, the Nyinggulu Conservation Estate Indigenous Land Use Agreement formalised the joint vesting and ongoing joint management of the southern extension of Cape Range National Park and Nyinggulu Coastal Reserves.
This exhibit was created by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions:
www.dbca.wa.gov.au
More on the Ningaloo Coast and World Heritage: whc.unesco.org/en/list/1369/
Photos: Blue Media Exmouth / Violeta Brosig; Peter Nicolas; Cameron Skirving; Samille Mitchell – DBCA; MigrationMedia; Aimee Jan; Sam Lawrence; Julian Lance; Grant Griffin; Dongkwon Won; Tony Howard; Hayden Mumby; Jackie Brown; Dani Rob, The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
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