Day 1: Coral Bay 

 Day 2: Coral Bay

 Day 3: Coral Bay to Exmouth -  152km / 94miles

 Day 4: Exmouth

 Day 5: Exmouth to North West Cape - 17km / 11miles

 Day 6: North West Cape

 Day 7: North West Cape to Yardie Creek - 70km / 43miles

 Day 8: Yardie Creek to Coral Bay / Carnarvon - 107km / 66miles

The Ningaloo Marine Park - the most accessible stretch of the Ningaloo Reef - stretches from Coral Bay round the North West Cape to Exmouth. For snorkellers and nature lovers, this is an irresistible opportunity to tour the wonders of wildlife.

Start at Coral Bay, 1,200 kilometres north of Perth, or fly into Learmonth Airport and begin the tour in Exmouth.

You could spend anything from a week to a year in this untouched region, so take the following eight-day itinerary and stretch it out as long as you like.

Day 1: Coral Bay

Coral Bay, 1,200 kilometres north of Perth, is a snorkellers paradise, with calm, protected waters and hundreds of fish and coral species. Here, the reef spans two kilometres from the shore - an endless source of marine life.

To explore further out, take a glass-bottom boat trip or join a snorkelling tour. In deeper water, you're more likely to encounter dugongs, turtles, dolphins and manta rays. From March to June, whale sharks visit this region, and between June and October, take a boat tour to seek out migrating whales.

Accommodation options are varied at Coral Bay, which remains a small coastal town with a seriously relaxed atmosphere. Warm evenings set off by stunning sunsets lead into deep starry nights.

Between December and February you might be lucky enough to spot turtles laying their eggs on the beaches in the evening, as well as the resulting hatchlings emerging from nests.

Overnight: Coral Bay

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Day 2: Coral Bay

Stay another day in Coral Bay for more swimming and snorkelling or throw in a line for some beach fishing. Fishing safaris head out to sea regularly, and adventurous types can join a scuba diving trip.

When it's time to dry off, take a four-wheel drive along the coast, or hire a quad bike for some rugged adventure.

Overnight: Coral Bay

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Day 3: Coral Bay to Exmouth

Time to head north. Four-wheel drivers can follow this itinerary either way around the North West Cape. The sealed road takes you up the east side to Exmouth, 150 kilometres from Coral Bay.

There are plenty of places to stay in the town, ranging from beachfront retreats to town centre hotel-style accommodation.

Check out the range of tours on offer at the Exmouth Visitor Centre. The fishing is excellent and diving is among the best in the world.

Join a dive boat and head out into Lighthouse Bay or over to the Muiron Islands for spectacular reef diving. Or simply drop over the side, pull on a mask and look down - perfect visibility allows snorkellers some breath-stopping sights of coral gardens and tropical fish.

Another way to get further out to sea, and access sites rarely visited by snorkellers, is by sea kayak. Four-day tours from Exmouth take kayakers round the cape, camping each night near the shore. Day trips are also available.

Surfing fans will enjoy Surfers Beach, 17 kilometres north of Exmouth. This is a reef break suitable only for the experienced. Or simply kick back and enjoy the beaches along this protected east-facing coastline.

Exmouth is a sociable town, and there are plenty of choices for dining and chatting over a couple of beers. Keen divers might want to join a night dive trip before turning in.

Overnight: Exmouth

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Day 4: Exmouth

Spend another day fishing, swimming or diving because here's your opportunity to try one of the best fish diving spots in the world - the Navy Pier. Or, if conditions are right, take a day trip out to the nearby Muiron Islands.

These classic desert islands are a dream for divers, snorkellers, swimmers and beach-lovers. Permission is needed to camp overnight - the ultimate in solitude and romance.

Overnight: Exmouth Muiron Islands

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Day 5: Exmouth to North West Cape

Drive carefully around to the northern tip of the Cape, watching out for wildlife. Kangaroos are all over the place in the early morning and late afternoon or evening, so keep to a slow pace. This will also increase your chance of spotting emus and lizards and allow you to marvel at the large termite mounds.

Right at the tip is Vlaming Head Lighthouse, the only one in Australia that still burns kerosene. Lovingly restored, visitors can take a tour to discover the history of the North West Cape.

The Lighthouse Bay beaches along Mildura Wreck Road are ideal for fishing, swimming and a refreshing evening stroll. The SS Mildura shipwreck is visible from the shore.

Overnight: Exmouth

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Day 6: North West Cape

As you make your way around the Cape, the temperature drops - with summer figures around 8 degrees lower on the west than they are in Exmouth.

These conditions are perfect for snorkelling and sea kayaking. Turquoise Bay is a must, with excellent drift snorkelling, but watch out for the currents and take advice if unsure.

Stop off at Milyering Visitor Centre too, for an interpretation of the marine and coastal ranges environments.

In the afternoon, follow the marked walk trail up into the gorges of Cape Range National Park . You'll feel as if you're the only people on earth.

There are campsites along the west side of the Cape, either near the shore or nestled at the foot of the ranges. Remember to look up - the huge night sky is dotted with constellations.

Overnight: Exmouth

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Day 7: North West Cape to Yardie Creek

Explore more of the coastline today, moving further down the coast. Yardie Creek, 90 kilometres from Exmouth, is a must for walkers and nature-lovers. Join a boat tour if you can, and spot some rare black-footed wallabies crouching on the steep-sided rocky walls.

Alternatively, follow the 500 metre walk trail. Energetic walkers can continue for a full two kilometre round trip through the red rock gorge.

As you're walking inland on a gorge trail, remember to stop occasionally and turn around for some unbelievable ocean views. And take plenty of water.

Overnight: Exmouth

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Day 8: Yardie Creek to Coral Bay / Carnarvon

Four-wheel drivers can cross Yardie Creek near the ocean and return to Coral Bay that way. It's a three hours drive and be warned - it's a bouncy four wheel drive track. Otherwise, retrace your journey around the Cape to return to Coral Bay.

Stay another relaxing night in Coral Bay or keep going to Carnarvon, a popular stopover on the way back to Perth.

Carnarvon has a distinctly tropical feel, with palm-lined streets and tropical plantations growing bananas, mangoes, papayas, melons and grapes as well as a variety of vegetables during the year.

The locally caught fish, prawns and scallops are delicious and reasonably priced direct from one of the factories (in season).

Overnight: Coral Bay Carnarvon

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