Hey everyone, welcome to World Heritage Journey.  I'm Joel on the Road, thanks for joining me! For  
Hey everyone, welcome to World Heritage Journey.  I'm Joel on the Road, thanks for joining me! For  

today's video, we're at the Ningaloo Coast,  of western Australia. So we're here today  
today's video, we're at the Ningaloo Coast,  of western Australia. So we're here today  

in a remote stretch of coastline in western  Australia. It's where the red rock of the interior  
in a remote stretch of coastline in western  Australia. It's where the red rock of the interior  

meets the sparkling Indian Ocean, that you can  see behind me. It's on the World Heritage list  
meets the sparkling Indian Ocean, that you can  see behind me. It's on the World Heritage list  

for three reasons: on land, there's the  magnificent, semi-arid landscape full of  
for three reasons: on land, there's the  magnificent, semi-arid landscape full of  

interesting features like gorges and canyons. On  the water, there's the Ningaloo Marine Reserve,  
interesting features like gorges and canyons. On  the water, there's the Ningaloo Marine Reserve,  

featuring Ningaloo Reef, one of the most  fascinating reef systems in the world. And of  
featuring Ningaloo Reef, one of the most  fascinating reef systems in the world. And of  

course, it's also home to the world's largest  fish, which I cannot wait to see. Let's go!
course, it's also home to the world's largest  fish, which I cannot wait to see. Let's go!

The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage  Site is located on the Coral Coast  
The Ningaloo Coast World Heritage  Site is located on the Coral Coast  

of western Australia, on land of the Baiyungu,  
of western Australia, on land of the Baiyungu,  

Thalanyji and Yinikurtura people, the  traditional owners and custodians of these lands.  
Thalanyji and Yinikurtura people, the  traditional owners and custodians of these lands.  

The World Heritage Area covers a vast expanse  of land and water, over 6000 square kilometres,  
The World Heritage Area covers a vast expanse  of land and water, over 6000 square kilometres,  

with more than 300 kilometres of coastline,  and plenty of islands too. Coral reefs  
with more than 300 kilometres of coastline,  and plenty of islands too. Coral reefs  

are normally accompanied by tropical rainforest,  and although Ningaloo is squarely in the tropics,  
are normally accompanied by tropical rainforest,  and although Ningaloo is squarely in the tropics,  

it's one of the only spots in the world where a  coral reef is directly adjacent to a semi-arid  
it's one of the only spots in the world where a  coral reef is directly adjacent to a semi-arid  

desert landscape, making it a fascinating and  unique environment.
desert landscape, making it a fascinating and  unique environment.

On land, the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage  Area is dominated by Cape Range National Park,  
On land, the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage  Area is dominated by Cape Range National Park,  

a large escarpment area where the desert meets  the tropical water. It's a fascinating spot,  
a large escarpment area where the desert meets  the tropical water. It's a fascinating spot,  

with incredible diversity, featuring gorges,  
with incredible diversity, featuring gorges,  

canyons, and caves, along with precious animals  and plants, like the gorgeous Sturt's Desert Pea.  
canyons, and caves, along with precious animals  and plants, like the gorgeous Sturt's Desert Pea.  

One highlight is Yardie Creek, a large gorge  with beautiful red cliffs, green plants,  
One highlight is Yardie Creek, a large gorge  with beautiful red cliffs, green plants,  

and dark blue water.  
and dark blue water.  

We also enjoyed hiking through Mandu Mandu Gorge,  an ancient dry river bed. It's the spot where some  
We also enjoyed hiking through Mandu Mandu Gorge,  an ancient dry river bed. It's the spot where some  

of the oldest known human jewellery was found  - a shell necklace dated at 30,000 years old.  
of the oldest known human jewellery was found  - a shell necklace dated at 30,000 years old.  

Other features include the  spectacular Shothole Canyon,  
Other features include the  spectacular Shothole Canyon,  

and Charles Knife Canyon, along with many caves  that aren't accessible by the general public.
and Charles Knife Canyon, along with many caves  that aren't accessible by the general public.

The on-water portion of this World Heritage Site  is covered by Ningaloo Marine Reserve, a huge  
The on-water portion of this World Heritage Site  is covered by Ningaloo Marine Reserve, a huge  

and diverse collection of marine environments.  The main feature is of course Ningaloo Reef,  
and diverse collection of marine environments.  The main feature is of course Ningaloo Reef,  

the world's largest near-shore, or fringing,  coral reef. Unlike it's Australian cousin,  
the world's largest near-shore, or fringing,  coral reef. Unlike it's Australian cousin,  

the Great Barrier Reef, which lies several  kilometres offshore, Ningaloo Reef is directly  
the Great Barrier Reef, which lies several  kilometres offshore, Ningaloo Reef is directly  

adjacent to land, so close that you can just  wade out and start snorkelling over the coral!
adjacent to land, so close that you can just  wade out and start snorkelling over the coral!

There's an estimated 300 different types of  coral here on the reef, in excellent condition,  
There's an estimated 300 different types of  coral here on the reef, in excellent condition,  

and there's loads of marine life to see as  well, with an estimated 700 species of fish.  
and there's loads of marine life to see as  well, with an estimated 700 species of fish.  

Many of these are bright, tropical colours,  and swimming around the reef is a wonderful  
Many of these are bright, tropical colours,  and swimming around the reef is a wonderful  

experience. You'll also find other, larger species  here, like dugongs, dolphins, whales, rays,  
experience. You'll also find other, larger species  here, like dugongs, dolphins, whales, rays,  

and plenty of smaller sharks too.
and plenty of smaller sharks too.

But the biggest highlight of Ningaloo is  definitely the whale shark, the world's largest  
But the biggest highlight of Ningaloo is  definitely the whale shark, the world's largest  

fish. An estimated 300-500 whale sharks visit  Ningaloo every year, attracted by the food-rich  
fish. An estimated 300-500 whale sharks visit  Ningaloo every year, attracted by the food-rich  

environment, and swimming with them is absolutely  mind-blowing. A spotter plane locates the sharks,  
environment, and swimming with them is absolutely  mind-blowing. A spotter plane locates the sharks,  

you jump off the back of your boat, and  before you know it, there's a 6 metre shark  
you jump off the back of your boat, and  before you know it, there's a 6 metre shark  

bearing down on you! It's a little terrifying  at first, but overwhelmingly exciting too.
bearing down on you! It's a little terrifying  at first, but overwhelmingly exciting too.

Surprisingly little is actually known  about these beautiful animals. They  
Surprisingly little is actually known  about these beautiful animals. They  

can grow up to 19 metres long and  live to over a hundred years old,  
can grow up to 19 metres long and  live to over a hundred years old,  

though the sharks at Ningaloo are typically  younger and shorter, about 6-8 metres.  
though the sharks at Ningaloo are typically  younger and shorter, about 6-8 metres.  

The spot patterns are known as  "constellations", and are unique to each shark.  
The spot patterns are known as  "constellations", and are unique to each shark.  

Researchers use star-tracking technology developed  by NASA to monitor each shark's movements.  
Researchers use star-tracking technology developed  by NASA to monitor each shark's movements.  

And since you're probably wondering, no, they  aren't dangerous to humans. Like whales, they're  
And since you're probably wondering, no, they  aren't dangerous to humans. Like whales, they're  

filter feeders who feast on plankton, krill,  and other tiny fish. Whale sharks do have teeth,  
filter feeders who feast on plankton, krill,  and other tiny fish. Whale sharks do have teeth,  

but located right at the back of their throats,  so they couldn't bite me even if they'd wanted to!
but located right at the back of their throats,  so they couldn't bite me even if they'd wanted to!

Wow, what a fantastic experience. Those whale  sharks are just such magnificent creatures,  
Wow, what a fantastic experience. Those whale  sharks are just such magnificent creatures,  

and I'm really glad I got the opportunity to  see them both in the flesh and in the wild  
and I'm really glad I got the opportunity to  see them both in the flesh and in the wild  

with my own eyes, and I hope that came through  in the video. They're just such magnificent  
with my own eyes, and I hope that came through  in the video. They're just such magnificent  

creatures, and it's really part of what makes  Ningaloo such a fantastic World Heritage Site.  
creatures, and it's really part of what makes  Ningaloo such a fantastic World Heritage Site.  

But that's it from me, thank you so  much for watching. I'm Joel on the Road,  
But that's it from me, thank you so  much for watching. I'm Joel on the Road,  

give me a thumbs-up if you liked  the video. Or, leave me a comment,  
give me a thumbs-up if you liked  the video. Or, leave me a comment,  

let me know what you thought - I'd love to  hear from you. And of course, don't forget  
let me know what you thought - I'd love to  hear from you. And of course, don't forget  

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to hit Subscribe, to see more from the World  Heritage Journey. We'll see you next time.