Gnaraloo is a unique remaining remnant of wilderness that is habitat to wild life which includes threatened and endangered sea turtles.
There are few remaining wilderness areas and it is important to protect them. Many species depend on these areas.
Gnaraloo sits in and next to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, Ningaloo National Heritage Area and the Lake MacLeod wetland of importance. Gnaraloo is home to species protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Australia) such as nationally threatened and migratory species (for its sea turtles and birds).
We aim to protect all native flora, fauna and habitat at Gnaraloo for posterity.
Wilderness at risk
Everyone who has been to Gnaraloo will tell you that visiting and exploring the land, ocean and beaches here is a true adventure in a wilderness area.
Gnaraloo Bay and Gnaraloo Cape Farquhar are important beach nesting areas for endangered loggerhead turtles that have been visiting the unpolluted waters and beaches of these isolated beaches for hundreds of years. These nesting areas are of importance as the Gnaraloo loggerheads feed into and support the South East Indian Ocean loggerhead sub-population. Loggerheads are listed in Australian legislation as a Matter of National Environmental Significance.
Every single turtle egg, hatchling and adult turtle matter. It is important to protect the nesting loggerhead females to have as many eggs laid as possible and to have as many of these eggs as possible develop into hatchlings that reach the water each season. The Gnaraloo Bay Rookery and the Gnaraloo Cape Farquhar Rookery are among the few remaining areas in the world where turtles can lay their eggs without disturbance. The Gnaraloo Bay and Gnaraloo Cape Farquhar beaches are also home to large flocks of sea birds and many marine species that live in the lagoon next to the Ningaloo Reef, right off the beach.
Given the known and other yet uncatalogued extraordinary environmental and heritage profile and importance of Gnaraloo, it is important to value and continue to protect it as an investment in our future.
Short sighted irresponsible activities will destroy, alter and negatively impact the inter-tidal, beach, dune and ocean habitat at Gnaraloo.
If we loose the wild character of Gnaraloo, we will not be able to replace what we have wiped out, as has happened to so many places in the world. We think it’s important to adopt a longer vision of what kind of world we want to live in and leave behind.
People come to Gnaraloo for the beaches, for the remoteness, for the wildlife that is always around, it’s about the wilderness experience in one of the last places in Australia that’s accessible while remaining remote.
– Gnaraloo Wilderness Foundation Committee
We strongly believe that Gnaraloo should stay wild to protect its biodiversity and your joy at a true wilderness experience.
We stand for all things Gnaraloo. Its sea turtles, wild life, beaches, ocean, dark skies, heritage and its people which includes you. Stand with us for Gnaraloo!
Become a Friend of Gnaraloo
⭐ Never drive 4WDs on the beach and dunes at Gnaraloo to avoid causing serious damage.
⭐ Lights out! Nesting females and hatchlings navigate by looking for the lowest bright horizon, so any light can confuse this perception and cause them to lose their way.
⭐ Respect the Turtle Watchers Code of Conduct ‘stop, drop and act like a rock’.
⭐ Recycle your rubbish and collect any trash you find in the wild.
⭐ Watch and share the Keep Gnaraloo Wild series and the video Protect our coastline and turtles by not driving on the beaches.
⭐ Be a Gnaraloo Friend! With your contributions, we can continue our ongoing work to protect the Gnaraloo Wilderness Area.
⭐ Watch our stunning documentary called “The Mystery of the Gnaraloo Sea Turtles”.
⭐ Subscribe to our Newsletter.
⭐ Share your best experiences in the wild at Gnaraloo with the hashtag #KeepGnaralooWild on social media.
⭐ Reach out to your friends and families, your favourite musicians, writers, sports people and companies to build a network of people who care and act to protect this special area.
Continue reading
Gnaraloo Wilderness Area
Gnaraloo comprises a number of unique landscapes. Explore our wetlands, scrublands and coastal areas on our interactive map.
Sea turtle conservation
The Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program identifies, monitors and protects nesting rookeries of endangered sea turtles on the Gnaraloo beaches.
