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Viewing Shark Bay: Nature's West Australian PlaygroundShark Bay: Nature's West Australian Playground
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The Western Australian coastline can be harsh and unforgiving. Yet there are certain spots whose beauty seems to leap out of nowhere and surprise even the coast itself. These areas restore your faith in the wonders of our Earth, oases in the desert. By Gavin Wyatt The Western Australian coastline can be harsh and unforgiving, desolate and barren. Yet there are certain spots whose beauty and extravagance seem to leap out of nowhere and surprise even the coast itself. These areas restore your faith in the wonders of our Earth, that are literally oases in the desert. Many of these spots exist on the West Coast, and of these, Shark Bay is surely the most magnificent. Its 1500 kilometers of meandering shoreline enclose the azure blue waters of the bay, which is dotted with numerous islands and plays host to an incredible array of marine and bird life. The main town in Shark Bay is Denham, located on the Peron Peninsula, and this can be a useful base from which to explore other attractions in the Bay. Just thirty minutes north of Denham is Monkey Mia, the famous dolphin resort that attracts most visitors to Shark Bay. The reason for this is the incredible habits of a particular pod of dolphins, which daily makes its way to the shores near the resort, and interacts and plays with the people waiting there. There are seven dolphins that do this daily, and a group of about twenty that joins them on different occasions. This remarkable occurrence has been going on since the 1960's, and has encompassed three generations of dolphins. These special creatures have thrilled thousands of tourists, and a visit to Shark Bay would not be complete without a frolic with the dolphins of Monkey Mia. There is much more to Shark Bay than the dolphins, as one would expect from a World Heritage listed site. Don your goggles and fins and enjoy the brilliant colors of the marine life that inhabits the bays and inlets of the region. Here you are bound to have thrilling encounters with manta rays, sea turtles, and large numbers of tropical fish. Stretching for 1000 square kilometers are the Wooramel Seagrass Banks, the largest of their kind in the world. These limestone sands were formed from calcium deposits, and create the perfect habitat for the graceful and quaint dugong, or 'sea cow'. Up to 14000 of these creatures call Shark Bay home, one of the most stable populations in the world. Tours are available to guarantee a sighting of these unique animals. Another geographical attraction of the Bay is the stromatolites of Hamelin Pool. These are hard, dome shaped deposits formed by colonies of algae. Resembling mounds of hard rock, they are actually the world's oldest known living organisms. They were formed by the activities of microorganisms. A 200-meter walkway extends out amongst the stromatolites, so that you can view them without causing any damage. Another unusual attraction in a similar vein is Shell Beach, situated about forty-five kilometers south of Denham. This startlingly white beach consists entirely of a build-up of tiny white coquina shells, some twenty-five feet deep and 110 kilometers long. There are numerous swimming, fishing, and relaxing spots you can take advantage of on this beach. The rich diversity of the marine life in Shark Bay extends to species that are popular amongst anglers. There are many fishing tours available, where you can try your hand at pulling in snapper, cod, coral trout, Spanish mackerel, and other kinds of fish. On your trip you will probably bump into bottlenose dolphins, dugongs, or if the season is right, a pod of humpback whales. Be sure to stop in at Shark Bay's new eight million dollar interpretive center, whose displays take you on an amazing journey through the history of the region, and the unique ecosystem of the Bay. By bringing together historic treasures and marine, terrestrial, and aboriginal heritage, this center promises to educate, inform, and entertain you. It will also be essential in helping you plan the holiday ahead of you in Shark Bay. There are numerous camping facilities around the Bay, and in Denham, there is a range of accommodations to suit all budgets and all groups. The famous Monkey Mia Lodge also caters to those on a budget, with backpacker rooms and camping available, as well as larger beachfront villas suitable for families. Situated 850 kilometers north of Perth, why not use a hire car to get to Shark Bay, and enjoy the freedom of exploration with which this option provides you. About the Author: Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. Originally from Zambia, he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles visit Perth Car Hire. Article Source: Adult Escapes - http://www.AdultEscapes.com More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
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