Top Towns for 2022: Where to eat, stay and play in Exmouth

By Imogen Eveson
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This laid-back resort town on Australia’s Coral Coast is the place to be to explore the wonders of Ningaloo Reef – and it’s no.35 on your list of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

Playing there

It’s all about reef and range in Exmouth, Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town of the Year for 2022, which sits pretty at the northern gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.

This rare and protected proposition covers 604,500 hectares and stretches more than 300 kilometres along the remote WA coast, incorporating the wonders of the Ningaloo Marine Park – where people come from all corners of the world to swim with awe-inspiring whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales – and the grandiose landscapes of the Cape Range National Park.

In a fabulous contrast of the colourful underwater world and rugged, arid land, it includes the largest fringing reef in Australia, a must for keen divers and snorkellers, and an extensive karst system and network of underground caves and water courses.

Lionfish at Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo

There are so many underwater species in Exmouth. (Image: Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo)

Eating there

From Exmouth town, you’re in plum position to explore it all. You’ll need sustenance before you start exploring, and the Ningaloo Bakehouse & Cafe will set you up nicely with its breakfast wraps and burgers, just-baked pastries, organic coffee and freshly made smoothies.

Emus near airport in Exmouth.

Emus are a common sight around Exmouth. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

For lunch, you can’t go past its fulsome selection of handmade pies. Or go for boutique coffee and a virtuous brunch at The Social Society, a community-minded, industrial-chic cafe, bar and wellness hub turning out vegan banana pancake stacks, tomato dukkah eggs, cold-pressed juices and Hemp Temple smoothies.

After a day spent exploring reef and range, there’s perhaps no better wind down in Exmouth than beer and pizza in a shed at Whalebone Brewing Co, owned by two local families with a love of craft beer and a simple vision: for people to enjoy it with mates and family in a no-frills setting under the stars.

Up the road, arty Froth Craft Brewery offers a rustic and welcoming vibe, serving its artisan brews alongside creative food pairings.

Aerial view of the Ningaloo Reef Coastline

The Ningaloo Reef Coastline will blow you away. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Staying there

Sleep in an oasis of palm trees, bougainvillea and frangipanis at Exmouth Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort, which offers a range of caravan and camping sites, studio chalets and three-bedroom park homes for up to six people or Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, which overlooks scenic Sunrise Beach and gives guests direct access to the reef.

Looking to really push the boat out? Drive 50 minutes around the cape to sink your toes into the sand in style at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef Safari Camp.

Glamping tent at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

Check into barefoot luxury digs at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Explore more of Australia’s Coral Coast in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.
Imogen Eveson is Australian Traveller’s Print Editor. She was named Editor of the Year at the 2024 Mumbrella Publish Awards and in 2023, was awarded the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) Australia’s Media Award. Before joining Australian Traveller Media as sub-editor in 2017, Imogen wrote for publications including Broadsheet, Russh and SilverKris. She launched her career in London, where she graduated with a BA Hons degree in fashion communication from world-renowned arts and design college Central Saint Martins. She is the author/designer of The Wapping Project on Paper, published by Black Dog Publishing in 2014. Growing up in Glastonbury, home to the largest music and performing arts festival in the world, instilled in Imogen a passion for cultural cross-pollination that finds perfect expression today in shaping Australia’s leading travel titles. Imogen regularly appears as a guest on radio travel segments, including ABC National Nightlife, and is invited to attend global travel expos such as IMM, ILTM, Further East and We Are Africa.
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    By Rachael Thompson
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    The pristine region offers exceptional visibility of the cosmos.

    The Ningaloo region is one of Australia’s most spectacular destinations and home to one of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs. It’s a place of pristine white-sand beaches, rich wildlife and unforgettable natural beauty, offering something extraordinary at every hour. And while the daytime promises sun-drenched adventures and vibrant underwater experiences, the nighttime holds its own kind of magic and brings yet another drawcard to the region. 

    The Milky Way above Vlamingh Head Lighthouse at Ningaloo Reef. (Photo: Tourism Western Australia)

    With minimal light pollution, the Ningaloo region is a top spot for looking at the cosmos, offering exceptional visibility of celestial wonders. Come nightfall, you’re treated to a dazzling display of stars, planets and the Milky Way. And with the rise of interest in dark tourism, this might just be Western Australia’s best-kept secret. 

    Ningaloo Stars is the only permanent stargazing experience in the region, uniquely connected to its UNESCO World Heritage status and commitment to preserving natural dark skies. It offers intimate, guided sessions that blend astronomy, culture, and the coastal serenity of Exmouth and its surroundings.

    The milky way.

    Gaze into the cosmos with Ningaloo Stars. (Photo: Graham Holtshausen/Unsplash)

    Over 90 minutes, visitors will peer through state-of-the-art telescopes at Milyering Discovery Centre to see spectacular close-up views of planets, stars and other celestial wonders, while knowledgeable guides share the traditions and significance of the night sky, including insights into First Nations astronomy and storytelling.

    This family-friendly experience caters to both beginners and astronomy enthusiasts and is committed to accessibility and inclusion, welcoming and assisting people with diverse needs.

    Ningaloo Stars offers an evening that’s as memorable as the days spent on the reef swimming with the whale sharks. 

    Book your Ningaloo Stars spot now