Stretching for 260 kilometers along Western Australia's coast, the Ningaloo Reef is the second largest coral reef in Australia. However, unlike its more famous counterpart, the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo remains relatively unknown. Despite this, the beauty and diversity of the underwater world in Ningaloo Reef is in no way inferior to the riches of the Great Barrier Reef: it is home to 500 species of fish, 300 species of coral, and 600 species of mollusks.
From March to June, the waters around the reef become a "grazing ground" for whale sharks, while the reef's coast has long been a favorite of hawksbill and green turtles. Dolphins, dugongs, rays, and humpback whales also inhabit the area. The lack of fame of the Ningaloo Reef is due to the ongoing debate in Australia about whether to develop tourist infrastructure near the reef, as attracting a large number of tourists could potentially endanger its unique ecosystem. In fact, marine creatures previously unknown to science were discovered here in 2006.
As a result, in 2010, the Ningaloo Reef was nominated for World Heritage status, and the tourist infrastructure continues to develop gradually, providing more and more people with the opportunity to experience the unique world of one of the most beautiful coral reefs on Earth. The best base for exploring Ningaloo is the town of Exmouth.
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