Exmouth

If your dream is to swim through an underwater paradise of vibrant coral, brightly coloured fish, dolphins and manta rays in just about the clearest turquoise water on earth and then Exmouth is for you! Just a two-and-a-half hour flight from Perth (or a two-day drive), it's the ideal base to explore Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park. The rugged national park is just half an hour drive south of the town - think spectacular gorges, canyons, wildlife and wildflowers. A fun way to explore is by four-wheel drive tour. As for Ningaloo Reef and just stroll into the water from local beaches and you're on it! For the ultimate thrill book a tour to swim with the world's biggest fish, the whale shark, which visits these parts between April and June each year to feed on krill. If you don't want to get your feet wet, you won't miss out and there's even a glass bottom boat tour. Choose from eco safari trips, wilderness tours and top-notch beach, reef and game fishing and the continental shelf is just kilometres offshore. Northwest snapper and red emperor are hooked regularly and charter boats do half and full day trips. You can even have a go at mud crabbing. Eating out and there are cafes, restaurants, resorts and a tavern to choose from. Accommodation-wise, Exmouth has lodges, resorts, hotels, chalets, backpackers and campsites to suit all budgets. The Exmouth Marina is set to become the new hub of activity when it opens in late 2006. Stroll along the boardwalk of a yachting marina and explore four canals lined with cafes, restaurants, boutiques and wine bars. Beachfront villas and plush new rooms at the four-star Novotel Ningaloo Resort will soon be up for grabs. Stage one will be completed in late 2006, stage two in 2008.