- Location: 1200 km north of the city of Perth
- Length: 260-300 km
The Indian Ocean among many inhabitants is closely associated with the palm islands, the hot African coast and Southeast Asia. But do not forget about such an interesting continent as Australia , part of which is also washed by these warm waters. There are many resorts, comfortable beaches and natural attractions. We suggest to get acquainted with the beautiful reef of Ningal.
Sound name Ningalu belongs to a large coral reef, located along the north-west coast of Australia in the Indian Ocean very close to the Exmouth Bay. The distance of the reef to the nearest city of Perth is about 1200 kilometers. Ningalu is officially considered to be the largest coastal Australian reef and the largest reef located near the coast: its length is about 260-300 kilometers. The reef itself encircles and stretches along the North-West Cape Peninsula at a distance of 100 meters to 7 kilometers.
What is interesting about the Ningaloo Reef?
The very name of the reef - Ningaloo - is translated from the language of local aborigines as "cape", it is believed that the reef has been formed for more than one millennium, because according to archaeologists and aborigines on the Australian mainland live at least 30 thousand years. Since 1987, the reef with its surrounding waters has been recognized as Australia's marine national park. The authorities of the country decided that the conservation of the species of whale sharks, which annually gather in these places up to 3-5 hundreds of pieces, their study, as well as observation of the entire ecosystem of the karst system with its caves and tunnels on a scale much more important development of the tourist direction.
Since 2011, the entire conservation area of the park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The entire Ningalu reef coast is inextricably linked to the structure of the North West Cape Peninsula, on which the Cape Range National Park is located. The fact is that the peninsula is formed because of the skeletons of ancient animals washed by sea currents, who lived here millions of years ago. This foundation has created different color shades of ridges on the land: pink, orange, red and others. In local waters, corners of the reef and underwater caves there are about 75 different kinds of underwater animals.
The weather and climate of the Ningalu reef
The summer of the southern hemisphere on the Ningalu coast runs from December to February, and winter from June to August. Thus, the average summer temperatures range from 21-38 degrees Celsius, while the winter temperatures range from +12 to 25 degrees. Annual rainfall averages 200-300 millimeters, which makes the local climate a dry climate, despite the fact that the formation of local precipitation is highly dependent on evaporation, depressions and cyclones.
By the way, cyclones in this area are a rarity. They pass once in 3-5 years, bringing with them a lot of precipitation, which favorably affects the growth of various flowers and plants, as well as the hydration and water supply of the cave ecosystem.
Flora and fauna
The flora around the reef of Ningalu is very diverse: there are only 630 taxa of vascular plants. The rest of the flora of the coast depends on the type of soil and the terrain - mostly shrubs, eucalyptus, acacia and mangroves. 18 species of plants grow only along this coast, and a plant like Verticordia forrestii is endemic to the nearest Shark Bay.
The Ningalu reef among naturalists is primarily known for the population of whale sharks, but is very rich in various corals and other marine life. For example, in winter time through this water area we go through the migration of humpback whales on the way to Antarctica - this is an amazing sight. Around the reef, there are growing and growing species such as manta, dugong and dolphins, and there are also 19 species of sharks besides whale. The shallow water of the reef is considered an important breeding ground for six species of sea turtles and some poisonous sea snakes.
Zoologists counted about 738 species of tropical fish with the most unusual and vivid color, 300 species of coral, 600 species of invertebrates and crustaceans and about 1,000 species of marine plants. And in the depths of the reef live quietly 25 species of echinoderms and 155 species of sponges, not a few. Since 2006, a new type of sponges has been discovered on the deep water, since then it has been observed and studied.
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Forecasts of the future reef of Ningaloo
Despite the protection and giving the territory of the reef the status of the National Park, the debate and attempts to change the course of the Australian government in favor of creating a resort zone in these places do not cease. All projects for the construction and commercial development of the coast have been frozen for today, but nevertheless 180,000 tourists visit the park annually.
It can be said that public figures and writers of Australia and Oceania make a significant contribution to preserving the natural status of the Ningalu reef, which do not let this matter go to shade. One such person - Tim Winon - even donated 25 thousand Australian dollars to the company for the preservation and study of the reef. And as you know, often only the donations of conscious citizens and keep many parks and protected ecosystems in the world.
How to get there?
To get to the water area of the reef is very simple: from any large city in Australia or from the city of Perth, you need to fly to the town of Lirmont, and from there to another small city - Exmus, which is the "entrance" to Ningal, you will finish by bus. The most interesting time to visit the park from April to July is the chances of seeing a humpback whale. Just remember that it is strictly forbidden to touch any representative of the flora and fauna.
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