Flora and Fauna

Nature loving visitors are in for a treat. The Gascoyne landscape explodes into life during wildflower season. Water lovers can experience once in a lifetime encounters with the giants of the deep.  Birdwatchers will be enchanted with the diversity of bird life on offer. 

Don’t forget your binoculars and be prepared to be amazed. It’s a REAL nature lovers wonderland.

FEATHERED FRIENDS 

Carnarvon and Coral Bay is known as a popular bird watching spot for nature lovers. Some of the birds found in the area include the Whistling Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Osprey, Little Eagle and Brown Falcon. Flocks of Cockatiel, Budgerigar and Galah may be sighted. Honeyeaters wander over the region in search of flowering shrubs such as Eremophila species.  Rare thorn-bills, waders, fantails, kingfishers and honey-eaters are all attracted to the diverse habitats, from mangroves to mudflats, sandy bays, grasslands and the bush, to the harbour itself. 

There are a number of water bird nesting areas that are sure to delight.  In the mangroves along Harbour Rd heading to the small boat harbour and the mangroves at Miaboolya beach, you will be treated to nesting Eastern Great Egrets, Little Egrets, Australian White Ibis, Australasian Darter, the Pied Oystercatcher, The Brahminy Eagle and the White Breasted Wood Swallow

Locations around Carnarvon such as Chinaman’s Pool, Miabooyla Beach and New Beach Bush Bay are great spots for bird watching. In Coral Bay head toward Mauds Landing and keep your eyes peeled in the brushes in the dunes and along the beach.

Ocean Encounters

In the ocean, the fauna wonderfest continues, with schools of manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks and humpback whales living alongside brightly coloured coral reef fish and other sea creatures.  

From Red Bluff to Coral Bay you can enjoy the amazing coral gardens and the stunning array of colour of both coral and fish.  Experience whales and whales sharks up close on one of the watching cruises available or in the dry comfort of a glass bottom boat.  For the adventure seeking windsurfer and surfers, the possibility of surfing the waves with dolphins may not be a far fetched dream.

IN FULL BLOOM 

If you're in the region during July to September, you're in for a REAL treat. Wildflowers begin to appear in early July when the region has had its sprinkle of rain. The spectacle is over all too soon by the end of September, when it starts to warm up. 

Here's what can be found in our region: 

 

 

RED BLOOMS

  • Cape Range Grevillea (Grevillea Variifolia) found along the Quobba Coastline
  • Sturt's Desert Pea (Swainsona Formosa) found at Coral Bay, Gascoyne Junction and Mount Augustus
  • Namana (Euphorbia Australis) on the Quobba Coastline, Coral Bay and around Gascoyne Junction

 

PINK BLOOMS 

  • Coastal Hibiscus (Alyogyne Cuneiformis) found along the Quobba Coastline
  • Sand Hibiscus (Alyogyne Cuneiformis) found along the Quobba Coastline and east of Carnarvon at Rocky Pool and Kennedy Range
  • Perennial Tar Vine (Commicarpus Australis) found at Mt Augustus and Kennedy Range
  • Grey ScurfPea (Cullen Cinereum) 
  • Gascoyne Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus Helipteroides) found along the Blowholes Road, Coral Bay and east of Carnarvon at Gascoyne Junction and Kennedy Range
  • Mountain Nancy (Wurmbea Inframediana) found at Mount Augustus 

 

 

PURPLE BLOOMS 

  • Velvt ScurfPea (Cullen Martinii) on the Tramway Walk Trail
  • Dampier Pea (Swainsona Pterostylis) at Miabooyla Beach
  • Rough Bluebell (Trichodesma Zeylanicum) found around Gascoyne Junction
  • Sturt's Nightsade (Salanum Sturtianum) around Gascoyne Junction
  • Bush Tomato (Solanum Diversiflorum) in Gascoyne Junction
  • Marsh Stemodia (Stemodia Grossa) at Mt Augustus
  • Camel Weed (Scaevola Parvifolia) at Gascoyne Junction & Mt Augustus
  • WedgeLeaved Eremophila (Eremophila Cuneifolia) 
  • Purple Mouth (Dipteracanthus Australasicus) at Mt Augustus 

 

GREEN BLOOMS

  • Green Birdflower, known as Carnarvon Bird Flower (Cratalaria Cunninghamii) found in Carnarvon and at Kennedy Range
  • Native Poplar (Codonocarpus Cotinifloius) found in Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction
  • Tassel Top (white Ptilotus Clementii) found at Miabooyla and Gascoyne hinterland
  • Crinkled Heliotrope (Heliotropium Crispatum) found at Gascoyne Junction

This is a remote destination, and you will be required to travel on unsealed roads.  Weather events may impact road conditions.
Please check the road safety reports and ensure your vehicle is adequately equipped prior to commencing your journey.

We have provided the following links for your convenience.