Holiday Planner2018
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Australia’s CORAL COAST Holiday Planner 2018 the INDIAN OCEAN drive Spanning from the northern suburbs of Perth to south of Dongara, the Indian Ocean Drive offers a scenic journey to the coastal towns of Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Green Head, Leeman, Dongara and Port Denison. The Indian Ocean Drive is a scenic but quick road, making the area an excellent day trip destination or the first port of call on your journey north. These seaside towns are great short break destinations offering plenty of things to see and do on the coast and inland. Marvel at the Pinnacles Desert in Cervantes, observe endangered sea lions in marine parks and explore unique and rare wildflowers. BEST TIME TO VISIT: All year round 28 australiascoralcoast.com see the LAKE THETIS THROMBOLITES 1 Wander among thousands of CERVANTES golden limestone spires at the Distance from Perth: 200km Pinnacles Desert. Cervantes is the ideal base to enjoy a range of land and water based activities. Take a boat tour to see the Known worldwide for the Pinnacles Desert in the Nambung National Park, the 2 endangered Australian sea lions town also boasts beautiful beaches for fishing, swimming and tasty fresh seafood. off Jurien Bay. Pinnacles Desert The Cervantes Art Trail 3 Explore the Three Bays Walkway Located in the heart of the Nambung A community project developed by the and camp at Milligan Island. National Park, the Pinnacles Desert is one Cervantes Historical Society, the trail of Australia’s most unique landscapes, provides point of interest, links to Spanish Learn about the Lake Thetis featuring thousands of limestone spires history and of course the ocean! There are 4 “living fossils” at Cervantes. up to 3.5 metres tall. The Pinnacles were 23 pieces around the town, with Cervantes 4WD Hill River; 25km sand-dune formed thousands of years ago from a local Murray Ford’s dhufish one of the most complex combination of shell grit, beach impressive pieces - constructed from scrap 5 track between Cervantes and Jurien Bay. sand, decaying vegetative matter, rain and farm machinery parts. wind erosion. Explore the desert on the Between July to October, designated 4 kilometre driving trail or stroll Visit a Lobster factory The Indian Ocean Rock Lobster Factory, 6 discover thousands of wildflower through them at your leisure on the 1.2 species within the Lesueur and kilometre walking trail. Learn more about or Lobster Shack, offers audio guide tours Nambung National Parks. the Nambung National Park’s fascinating each day from 12-3pm in English, Mandarin, geology, flora and fauna at the Pinnacles Japanese, French, Italian, German, Korean Catch a movie on a summer’s Desert Discovery Centre. or a special version just for the kids. Be sure 7 eve at the Dongara-Port Denison to pick up some delicious seafood to take The Pinnacles were formed drive-in. FUN FACT: away or enjoy a freshly cooked seafood 250,000 to 300,000 years ago and meal at the café. The Lobster Shack also Sandboard the ice-cream white they continue to form even today. offers Australian sea lion watching tours 8 sand dunes in Jurien Bay or carve and fishing charters which take passengers the surf waves at Dongara. Lake Thetis & thrombolites through the Cervantes Islands. Located two kilometres south east of Get artistic! Find sculptures on Cervantes, Lake Thetis is one of only 9 the Cervantes Art Trail and meet five thrombolite, or ‘living fossil’, sites in the ANZAC Memorial Soldiers in Western Australia. An easy 1.5 kilometre Port Denison. walking loop around the lake showcases the experience via interpretative signage Visit Dongara’s new Rum which provides information on the fossils, 10 Distillery, Illegal Tender Rum Co. geology, flora, fauna and Indigenous culture. The first 300m of boardwalk, which passes the best examples of thrombolites, is universally accessible. FUN FACT: It is estimated the lake was isolated from the sea about 4800 years ago when sea levels dropped and coastal dunes formed around the lake. #australiascoralcoast 29 GRASS TREES near CERVANTES Wildflowers and Wildlife Made up of 17000 hectares of coastal heathland, the Nambung National Park is home to a variety of native plants such as grass trees and animals. Wildflowers JURIEN BAY commonly found in the Nambung National Distance from Perth: 220km Park during late winter and spring include wattles, quandong, yellow tail flower, Just 20 minutes drive north of Cervantes along the Indian Ocean Drive, Jurien Bay thick-leaved fan flower, white clematis, is fast emerging as a popular short break destination. Whether you’re a wildflower cockies tongues, parrotbush and banksia enthusiast visiting to see the many unique species, a snorkeller discovering the species. Visitors will also delight in viewing underwater wonderland of the Jurien Bay Marine Park or a sky diver landing on a wildlife such as western grey kangaroos, pristine white beach, you are sure to enjoy your stay. cockatoos, emus and bobtail skinks. The endangered Australian Jurien Bay Marine Park Hangover Bay & Kangaroo Point Sea Lion The Jurien Bay Marine Park is sheltered Kangaroo Point and Hangover Bay are The Australian sea lion are among the by a string of islands and reefs that make located a short distance from Nambung rarest of the world’s seal species, found the surrounding ocean perfect for water National Park and are great spots for only in WA and South Australia. In 2008 activities. Look for interpretative signs at snorkelling, swimming, windsurfing, fishing, the Australian sea lion was listed as an the main beach to learn about the marine surfing and boating. Picnic facilities include endangered species. Approximately 21% of species and bird life in the area. Swimming gas barbecues, gazebos/shelter and toilets. the Western Australian sea lion population is safe in the tranquil inland harbour or Lookouts & Walking Trails live and breed in the Jurien Bay Marine beaches. All have pristine white sands and Park. Enjoy the privilege of observing sea enticing clear waters, ideal for a swim during Stunning views of ocean and bushland are lions in their own environment by joining the summer months. It is also an excellent offered at many lookouts in and around a seal lion charter tour from Jurien Bay. area for windsurfing or kitesurfing and for Cervantes. The Hansen Bay Lookout has a Spy them from the boat as they duck and recreational fishing and crabbing. picturesque view of the ocean, Lake Thetis dive through the water off Jurien Bay, the and the Cervantes town site. For different but Cervantes Islands or at Fishman’s Bay off Secret Sandy Cape equally scenic perspectives, check out the Green Head. Secret no more – Sandy Cape has grown Thirsty Point and Molah Hill Lookouts. Located in popularity with visitors constantly half way between Cervantes and Jurien Bay, Reminder: It is important to remember Instagramming from the location. Located 13 the Molah Hill Lookout has panoramic views sea lions you encounter are not tame. kilometres north of Jurien Bay, this beautiful of the Indian Ocean and Mount Lesueur. Please don’t feed them as it creates beach is situated in a small, sheltered bay dependence on humans. offering great swimming, snorkelling, fishing and sandboarding. Licensed road vehicles Cervantes Visitor Information are permitted in the park and are allowed Jurien Bay’s snorkel Pinnacles Visitor Centre FUN FACT: to use the beach between the high and low trail was the first underwater Cadiz Street, Cervantes WA 6511 water line. Look for signage before taking (not land-based) Tel: 1800 610 660 out the fishing line as some restrictions are in trail in Australia. E: [email protected] place. Dogs are allowed at Sandy Cape, but Website: www.visitpinnaclescountry.com.au they need to be on a leash in some areas. 30 australiascoralcoast.com Secret SANDY CAPE Take to the Turquoise Trail Bike and follow the Turquoise Way Trail, a 14.2 kilometre sealed track stretching along the coast from the Jurien Bay Marina to the Hill River (almost half way to Cervantes) which was upgraded and extended in 2017. With stunning views of the coast, the trail passes through the Dobbyn Park foreshore area that has beautiful grassed picnic spots, gazebos, toilets and playgrounds. Follow the Snorkelling trail Located at the old Fishing Jetty, 78 concrete reef balls have been placed to create a diverse underwater habitat and a Fishing at the Marina snorkel trail for novice swimmers to follow. Take a stroll past the Jurien Bay Marina to The trail encourages a number of marine see rock lobster fishermen as they return life to make their home in the Jurien Bay with their daily catch. The marina has four Marine Park. New sources of food, sponges boat launching and retrieval ramps with a and coral are continually growing on floating pontoon located adjacent to the and around the reef balls, ensuring new ramps to allow easy access to the boats. fish ‘visit the reef’ in addition to the core The marina has a fish cleaning facility, a residents (including a dhufish and rock protected beach, toilets and a shower. lobster nursery), making every snorkelling Walking trails extend north and south of experience unique. the bay. SUP and Kayak the beach 4WD at Hill River Bring your own stand up paddleboard Accessible by 4WD track, the Cervantes to Turquoise Coast and immerse yourself in the turquoise Jurien Bay track (accessible via the Indian Visitor Centre waters off the town beach at Jurien Bay. Ocean Drive) is 25km and will take you over 67 Bashford St, Jurien Bay WA 6516 Experienced SUPers can explore the the sand dunes onto the beach and crossing ocean, or the marina at the northern to Hill River.