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The Exmouth Region
 The
Exmouth area on Western Australia's Coral Coast is a happening place.
Large tracts of land have been earmarked for development, one of
the major caravan parks is nearly doubling its capacity, and the
whole place is gearing up for unprecedented growth.
It's not hard to understand
why. The climate is beautiful, box jellyfish don't come this far
south and the swimming, diving and fishing around are just unbelievable.
The attractions of Cape Range National Park and the iconic Ningaloo
Reef are just down the road and the sunsets are spectacular.
Some people are now
beginning to compare Ningaloo Reef favourably with the Great Barrier
Reef and its ace in the hole is its accessibility. There is no need
to take a long boat ride to snorkel over the reef. You simply take
a short swim off the beach and there you are. Intricate coloured
coral, spectacular tropical fish, even stingrays and turtles are
all right there - and you don't have to be a super fit, scuba expert
to be a part of it.
Not surprisingly the,
the park itself is gaining in popularity and as one ranger said
recently, "The reef is in danger of being
loved to death."
During the school
holidays you can expect to queue to find a spot in the national
park - and that's if you're lucky. The town of Exmouth, though,
is well serviced with caravan parks and there is also one at the
lighthouse on the way to the national park.
Turquoise Bay is perhaps
the best place to snorkel over the reef and there are half a dozen
or so camping spots dotted along the coast - national parks camping
fees apply. There is a visitor information centre in the park so
you can investigate which one is most suitable for you. The campsites
themselves aren't unduly attractive and are little more than car
parks but you are on top of the beaches which more than makes up
for it.
The wind is one other
potential problem here and it can make a long stay uncomfortable
- if you are unlucky. If you're not, you'll not want to leave.
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Following the seasons on the Big Lap
The journey is more than 
What to
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