Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GASCOYNE COAST
This wild, rugged, largely unpopulated coastline stretches from Shark Bay to Ningaloo,
with excellent fishing, and waves that attract surfers from around the world. Subtropical
Carnarvon, the region's hub, is an important fruit- and vegetable-growing district, and
farms are always looking for seasonal workers. The 760km Gascoyne River, WA's longest,
is responsible for all that lushness, though it flows underground for most of the year. In-
land, the distances are huge and the temperatures high; here you'll find the ancient eroded
rocks of the Kennedy Range, as well as massive Mt Augustus (Burringurrah).
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Carnarvon
POP 9000
On Yinggarda country at the mouth of the Gascoyne River, fertile Carnarvon, with its fruit
and vegetable plantations and thriving fishing industry, makes a pleasant stop-over between
Denham and Exmouth. This friendly, vibrant town has quirky attractions, a range of decent
accommodation, well-stocked supermarkets and great local produce. The tree-lined CBD
exudes a tropical feel, and the palm-fringed waterfront is a relaxing place to amble. The
long picking season from March to January ensures plenty of seasonal work. Floods dev-
astated the area in December 2010 and many businesses are still recovering.
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Sights & Activities
Established jointly with NASA in 1966, the
OTC Dish
(Mahony Ave)
at the edge of town tracked
Gemini and Apollo space missions, as well as Halley's Comet, before closing in 1987.
Stage One of the small but fascinating
Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum
(Mahony Ave; admis-
sion $5; 10am-3pm)
is nearby.
Carnarvon's luxuriant plantations along North and South River Rds provide a large pro-
from the visitor centre.
Bumbak's
( 08-9941 8006; 449 North River Rd; 1hr tours $8.80; shop 9am-4pm
Mon-Fri, tours 10am Mon, Wed & Fri Apr-Oct)
offers tours and sells a variety of fresh and dried fruit,
