Ningaloo Coast
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Ningaloo Coast | |
| Location | Western Australia, Australia |
| Criteria | Natural: (vii), (x) |
| Reference | 1369 |
| Inscription | 2011 (35th Session) |
| Area | 705,015 ha (1,742,130 acres) |
| Coordinates | 22°33′45″S 113°48′37″E / 22.56250°S 113.81028°E |
Ningaloo Coast Location of Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia | |
The Ningaloo Coast is a World Heritage Site located in the north west coastal region of Western Australia. The 705,015-hectare (1,742,130-acre) heritage-listed area is located approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) north of Perth, along the East Indian Ocean. The distinctive Ningaloo Reef that fringes the Ningaloo Coast is 260 kilometres (160 mi) long and is Australia's largest fringing coral reef and the only large reef positioned very close to a landmass. The Muiron Islands and Cape Farquhar are within this coastal zone.
The coast and reef draw their name from the Australian Aboriginal Wajarri language word ningaloo meaning 'promontory', 'deepwater', or 'high land jutting into the sea'. The Yamatji peoples of the Baiyungu and Yinigudura are the traditional owners of the area.
The reef attracts 200,000 tourists each year. In 2011 and 2025, the reef was hit by bleaching events caused by marine heatwaves.