Exmouth Gulf

29 votes

Framed by mangrove flats and turquoise shallows, Exmouth Gulf is a playground for anglers, kayakers and sunset-chasers. Locals launch just minutes from home to chase whiting, mud crabs and the odd visiting whale shark, while the gulf’s calm waters make it ideal for paddleboards and family day trips.

2

South Carnarvon

26 votes

Stretching south of the town centre, South Carnarvon blends historic growers’ blocks with breezy riverfront outlooks. Residents pop down Robinson Street for fresh produce stalls, weekend markets and the boat ramp, all less than five minutes from most homes, making this an easy-living enclave for river sunsets.

3

Shark Bay

22 votes

World-Heritage-listed Shark Bay lures nature lovers with glassy seagrass shallows and famous stromatolites. Kite surfers skim across Peron Peninsula breezes while dugongs graze below. Despite a remote feel, Denham cafés and the small airport sit under 15 minutes away, keeping adventures and amenities within easy reach.

4

Town Beach

21 votes

Beside the Carnarvon Fascine, Town Beach offers shallow turquoise water, a sheltered jetty and a long foreshore path perfect for morning jogs. Families enjoy grassy picnic spots and a playground, while anglers drop a line for tailor at dusk—all barely a kilometre from Carnarvon’s cafés and shops.

5

Gascoyne River

21 votes

Winding 760 kilometres from desert ranges to the Indian Ocean, the Gascoyne River is the lifeblood of Carnarvon’s market gardens. Locals cycle levee trails, launch dinghies at high tide or simply watch irrigation transform the valley green after summer rains—only minutes from supermarkets and schools.

6

East Carnarvon

20 votes

Across the old tramway bridge, East Carnarvon combines fertile horticultural blocks with laid-back riverside living. Saturday mornings mean roadside avocado stalls, while sunset dog walks follow the floodbanks. Residents relish having Woolies and the foreshore five minutes away yet enjoying quiet streets lined by mango trees.

7

Darren Cossill

15 votes

Long-time Exmouth skipper Darren Cossill operates highly rated fishing charters that whisk visitors to deep-sea grounds within an hour of the marina. Holiday-makers praise his down-to-earth tips, while locals book regular reef expeditions during red-emperor season, making his charters a cornerstone of Exmouth’s angling culture.

8

Mantarays Resort

13 votes

Fronting Exmouth’s marina, Mantarays Ningaloo Resort delivers barefoot luxury with lagoon-style pools, boardwalk cafés and direct beach access. Residents and holiday-makers gather for sunset cocktails overlooking yachts, while the restaurant doubles as the town’s go-to special-occasion spot—handy when it’s only a five-minute drive from most homes.

9

Monkey Mia

12 votes

Monkey Mia is famed for its daily dolphin visits: wild bottlenose pods glide into the shallows, thrilling visitors young and old. The sheltered bay suits sailing and SUP sessions, and the beachfront resort means you can roll from sunrise feeding to sunset deck dining within a few sandy steps.

10

Carnarvon Boat Harbour

11 votes

The working heart of Carnarvon’s fishing industry, the Boat Harbour hums with prawn trawlers and rock-lobster boats unloading the day’s haul. Public jetties let locals cast for bream between commercial action, while seafood sheds sell straight-off-the-boat treats—just five minutes from the main street yet worlds away.

11

Carnarvon Fascine

10 votes

Palm-lined and tranquil, the Carnarvon Fascine curves along the river mouth, creating a calm lagoon perfect for stand-up paddling and twilight strolls. A 1.5 km foreshore path links cafés, picnic shelters and the One Mile Jetty trailhead, offering enviable waterfront living right beside the town’s shopping strip.

12

Shell Beach

8 votes

Composed entirely of tiny white cockle shells, Shell Beach in Shark Bay glitters so brightly it’s visible from space. Visitors crunch along the squeaky shore then float in hyper-saline water. Despite the surreal scenery, this other-worldly beach lies just an hour’s scenic drive from Denham township.

13

Exmouth Marina

8 votes

Exmouth Marina blends relaxed waterfront living with serious fishing credentials. Yachts, trailer-boats and charters tie up metres from townhouses, so a pre-work reef run is truly doable. Boardwalks link restaurants and whale-shark tour departures, all within a ten-minute cycle of Exmouth’s main supermarket.

14

Marina Island

7 votes

Linked to Exmouth by a short causeway, Marina Island offers exclusive canal-front lots where residents moor boats at the back door. Quiet streets, pocket parks and Cape Range sunset views create a relaxed enclave that’s still five minutes from schools, cafés and the golf club.

15

Coral Bay

7 votes

Tiny Coral Bay punches above its weight with crystalline lagoons where Ningaloo Reef brushes the shoreline. Snorkellers wade straight off the beach to coral gardens alive with turtles, while manta-ray tours depart daily. Despite holiday-town energy, everything is walkable and Exmouth airport sits 90 minutes north.

16

Gascoyne Food Bowl

6 votes

Stretching along rich alluvial soils, the Gascoyne Food Bowl lines Carnarvon with mango, banana and tomato plantations. Seasonal farm-gate stalls let residents stock the pantry direct from growers, and the annual Taste festival celebrates it all—tropical flavours and fresh smoothies on demand.

17

Ningaloo Reef

6 votes

One of the world’s longest fringing reefs, Ningaloo puts brilliant coral just metres from the sand. Swim with whale sharks March to July, drift-snorkel Turquoise Bay year-round or picnic in Cape Range National Park. Best of all, it’s an easy half-hour drive from Exmouth.

18

Lauren Scott

6 votes

Local glass artist Lauren Scott’s studio-gallery in Carnarvon has become a creative hub, showcasing hand-blown ocean-hued pieces inspired by Coral Coast light. Visitors watch live demonstrations, commission bespoke gifts and join weekend workshops, adding an artisanal note to a region better known for fishing and fruit.

19

Massey Bay

6 votes

Hidden between rugged limestone headlands, Massey Bay rewards adventurers with pristine white sand, turquoise water and zero crowds. Four-wheel-drivers relish the coastal track, while anglers chase mulloway from the gutters. Pack a picnic—the nearest shops are an hour away, making the solitude even sweeter.

20

Coral Coast

5 votes

Running from Cervantes to Exmouth, WA’s Coral Coast strings together picture-perfect beaches, fishing towns and wildflower plains. Travellers road-trip for pink lakes and limestone pinnacles, but locals enjoy uncrowded surf, reef snorkelling and balmy winters—perpetual holiday vibes without the tourist crush.

Area Hotlist — Gascoyne WA