NINGALOO REEF-AUSTRALIA

Stretching over 260km along the largely uninhabited north-west coast of Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef - situated near the dusty town of Exmouth - is one of most remote, pristine and least visited of all Australia's coral reefs. Teaming with wildlife, the Reef is famed for being one of the best places in the world to see the hundreds of gentle whale-sharks, who arrive annually in great numbers.  From snorkelling with turtles, swimming with manta rays to whale-spotting on a cruise tour, Ningaloo is a must-see for wildlife aficionados.

Book Australian hotels featured in Condé Nast Traveller here

WHERE TO STAY

• NOVOTEL NINGALOO RESORT

  Madaffari Drive, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef(00 61 8 9949 0000)
  This shed-like resort is marooned on the outskirts of Exmouth but is handy for reef cruises and fishing excursions. It has spacious, air-conditioned rooms and a selection of one and two-bedroom apartments. Facilities include a gym and swimming pool. The restaurant has a pleasant terrace and a funky vibe, but the food is of variable quality.

• OSPREY VILLAGE HOTEL APARTMENTS

  Murat Road, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef(00 61 8 9949 1200)
  Fairly new holiday complex near the centre of Exmouth offering one, two and three-bedroom cabins. All have TV and outdoor barbeques; the larger cabins have fully equipped kitchens. A cut above the usual motel option.

• SAL SALIS NINGALOO REEF

  Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo Reef(00 61 2 9571 6399)
  This solar-powered eco-lodge offers 'wild bush luxury' on the sun-drenched shores of the Indian Ocean. Sal Salis gives easy access to a unique marine environment, where the reef meets the beach. Each tent has a wooden floor and a king-sized bed with 500-threadcount cotton sheets. Three meals are served daily, including a three-course dinner with fine wines. The lodge has no mobile phone reception, internet or TVs. Sal Salis featured in The Hot List 2009

• WHERE TO EAT

  NINGALOO HEALTH FOODS

  3A Kennedy Street, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef (00 61 8 9949 1400; www.ningaloohealth.com). Breezy juice bar serving decent coffee and freshly made meals and snacks. Young, friendly staff. Scrumptious breakfasts; try the eggs Benedict. Also stocks a range of teas, vitamins and personal-care products. Breakfast about £15 for two.

  WHALERS
  5 Kennedy Street, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef (00 61 8 9949 2416). Laid-back garden restaurant serving local standards such as grilled fish, prawn risotto and 'Exmouth bugs'. There are also some good vegetarian options. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there is live music at the weekends. About £55 for two without wine.

WHAT TO DO

DIVE WITH MANTA RAYS

Huge schools of manta rays visit the reef annually. There are several ways to see them, including snorkelling trips and overnight cruises. Details are available from the Exmouth Visitor Centre (00 61 8 9949 1176; www.exmouthwa.com.au). (Season: May-November)

SPOT NESTING TURTLES

Three species of turtle nest on the beaches alongside Ningaloo Reef. The Exmouth Visitor Centre (See 'Dive With Manta Rays') has a list of the best places to see them. (Season: November-March)

SWIM WITH SHARKS

Ningaloo Reef is the best place in the world to see these gentle giants of the sea. Ningaloo Reef Dreaming (00 61 8 9949 4777; www.ningalooreefdreaming.com) offers whale-shark snorkelling excursions. A full-day cruise costs about £200, including lunch, refreshments and the use of snorkelling gear. (Season: Mid-March-July)

WHALE-WATCHING

Large numbers of humpback whales flock to Ningaloo Reef ech year. Although they can be seen from dry land, a reef cruise allows you to get up close and personal. Ocean Eco Adventures (00 61 427 425925; www.oceanecoadventures.com.au), in Exmouth, runs four-hour 'whale discovery' cruises. The price (around £47 for adults and £25 for children) includes lunch, soft drinks and a CD of photographs taken during your trip. (Season: July-November)

HOW TO GET THERE

AIRLINES FROM THE UK

Qantas (www.quantas.com), Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com) and Cathay Pacific (www.catahypacific.com) fly from Heathrow to Perth via Singapore or Hong Kong. If the 13-hour drive from Perth to Ningaloo Reef doesn't appeal , you can fly to Learmonth in 90 minutes with Skywest Airlines (www.skywest.com.au).

WHEN TO GO

With its warm, dry winters and hot, dry summers (the average rainfall is just 275mm), the North West Cape will seem to anyone arriving from the British Isles to have an ideal climate. Water temperatures rarely drop below 17°C, so snorkelling is possible all year round, although wetsuits and rash shirts in the winter months (June-August)