Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has a very long coastline, which is the sixth longest in the world, with a total length of about 25,760 kilometres (16,000 miles). The coastline of Australia includes the edges of mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania. When it comes to the states, Western Australia has the longest coastline, reaching almost 13,000 kilometres in length. It is home to the oldest life forms on Earth, the stromatolites of Shark Bay, and has the greatest diversity of seagrasses in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State with the longest coastline | Western Australia |
| Length of the coastline | 10,194 km or 12,889 km (20,781 km including islands) or almost 13,000 km |
| Diversity of seagrasses | Greatest in the world |
| Meadows formed by seagrasses | Among the largest in the world |
| Reefs | Home to the longest fringing reef in the world, the Ningaloo Reef |
| Oldest life forms | Home to the oldest life forms, the stromatolites of Shark Bay |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Two sites, the Ningaloo Coast and the Great Barrier Reef |
| Population | Concentrated in the Perth metro area |
| Coastal management | Local governments are at the forefront of managing social, economic, and environmental impacts |
| Coastal values | West Australians have a strong connection to the coast |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia has the longest coastline
The Western Australian coastline is incredibly diverse, boasting the greatest variety of seagrasses worldwide. The seagrass meadows found here are among the largest on Earth. The state's coast also encompasses a range of beach environments, from temperate sandy coastlines in the south to tropical reef environments in the north.
Western Australia is home to the world's longest fringing reef, the pristine Ningaloo Reef, and the ancient stromatolites of Shark Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The state's population is largely concentrated in the Perth metropolitan area, leaving much of the regional coastline pristine and untouched.
The management and protection of Western Australia's coastline are crucial. Local governments play a pivotal role in managing social, economic, and environmental impacts in coastal areas. Collaborative partnerships between local governments have facilitated effective coastal climate risk management and adaptation planning. Additionally, community groups, conservationists, academic institutions, and schools actively engage in hands-on management and education to safeguard and enhance Western Australia's magnificent coast.
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Ningaloo Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Western Australia has the longest coastline of any Australian state, with a length of 10,194 km or 12,889 km (20,781 km including islands). It is home to the Ningaloo Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 604,500-hectare marine and terrestrial property of Ningaloo Coast, located on the remote western coast of Australia, includes one of the longest near-shore reefs in the world. The site features an extensive karst system and network of underground caves and watercourses.
Ningaloo Coast is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to numerous marine species, including whale sharks, sea turtles, coral reef fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and the endangered dugong. The terrestrial part of the site features subterranean water bodies and a substantial network of caves, conduits, and groundwater streams that support a variety of rare species. The site also includes the limestone karst landscape of Cape Range, which provides a habitat for birds and reptiles.
The Ningaloo Coast is a popular destination for scuba diving and offers the opportunity to see whale sharks, which gather in large numbers during their seasonal feeding. The best chance to see these majestic creatures is from mid-March to the end of July. However, it is important to note that access to the site can be challenging, and off-roading is not allowed.
The protection and management of the Ningaloo Coast are crucial, and there have been efforts to establish a "Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Advisory Committee" to bring together various stakeholders, including traditional owners, local governments, scientific experts, and community members. Climate change, population growth, and economic development pose challenges to the region, and community groups, NGOs, research institutes, and government authorities are working to address these issues.
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Kimberley Coast is a coastal region
Western Australia has the longest coastline of any state in Australia, at 10,194 km or 12,889 km (20,781 km including islands). The Kimberley Coast is a coastal region in Western Australia, bordered on the west by the Indian Ocean and on the north by the Timor Sea. It is one of the hottest parts of Australia, with an average annual mean temperature of around 27 °C and mean maximum temperatures almost always above 30 °C. The hottest part of the year is November, before the rains break, when temperatures frequently exceed 37 °C on the coast and 40 °C inland.
The Kimberley region is one of the world's most precious wilderness regions, with prolific wildlife, majestic canyons, freshwater swimming holes, and several outback stations. It is three times larger than England and has a population of less than 40,000. The Kimberley Coast offers a unique travel experience, with opportunities to ride camel trains, cruise the 1,000 islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago, and fly over the world's only two horizontal waterfalls.
The coastline is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including humpback whales, turtles, snubfin dolphins, and over 300 bird species. The Kimberley Coast also features remote reefs, cavernous gorges, ancient rock art sites, and island beaches. The region has a rich history, with evidence of early human settlement about 65,000 years ago. The first humans created a complex culture, developed Yam agriculture, and invented some of the earliest boomerangs.
The Kimberley Coast is known for its rugged and varied sandstone landscape, with steep cliffs in the north and flatter areas in the south, all subject to high tides. The region is bordered by the Northern Territory to the east and the Pilbara region to the south, with the Dampier Peninsula separating the northern and southern sections. The Kimberley Coast is a significant part of Western Australia's extensive coastline, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and diverse ecosystems.
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The Western Australian coastline has diverse seagrasses
Western Australia has the longest coastline of any Australian state or territory, stretching over 10,000 kilometres (including islands). The Western Australian coastline is also known for its diverse seagrasses, which form some of the largest meadows on Earth. These seagrasses are submerged flowering plants that grow and live completely underwater. They are found along the coast, around islands, and in the estuaries of Western Australia.
The Western Australian coastline, including its islands, spans over 20,000 kilometres. This vast coastline provides a diverse range of habitats for seagrasses, from tropical to temperate waters. The variety of habitats along its western and southern coasts often features soft sands in shallow subtropical waters, creating ideal conditions for seagrasses to thrive.
Seagrasses are an important part of the Western Australian ecosystem. They perform crucial ecological functions in estuarine and marine systems, influencing water and sediment quality by taking up nutrients and reducing sediment re-suspension. Seagrasses also provide refuge and food for various species, such as macroinvertebrates, fish, and wading birds like the Black Swan. The presence of healthy seagrass populations is considered a positive indicator of estuary health.
The diversity of seagrass species in Western Australia is remarkable, with 26 species across 11 genera currently described. Common species found in Western Australian estuaries include Halophila ovalis, Halophila decipiens, Ruppia megacarpa, Zostera muelleri, Posidonia sinuosa, and Posidonia australis. The area covered by seagrass in Western Australian waters is equivalent to the size of Australia's rainforest, highlighting the significance of these underwater ecosystems.
The Western Australian government and local communities recognise the importance of their coastline and are actively involved in its management and protection. Collaborative partnerships between local governments aim to address coastal climate risks and develop adaptation plans. Community groups, conservation initiatives, academic institutions, and schools are also dedicated to hands-on management and education, ensuring the preservation of Western Australia's magnificent and diverse coastline.
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Australia has the sixth-longest coastline in the world
Australia has a coastline that totals 25,760 km in length, making it the sixth-longest coastline in the world. The country's coastline borders the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Southern Oceans. The coastal landscape is quite diverse, with picturesque sandy beaches, mangrove swamps, and rocky cliffs. There are about 10,685 beaches in Australia, as well as numerous caves, coves, and unique land formations along its shores. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the eastern coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system and is regarded as one of the greatest natural wonders.
The length of a coastline is not a fixed value and exhibits what is known as the coastline paradox. This means that the length of a coastline changes depending on the scale interval at which the measurements are taken. Smaller scale intervals, which allow for more detailed measurements, result in a longer coastline. This effect is more pronounced for convoluted coastlines than for relatively smooth ones.
Western Australia has the longest coastline of any state or territory in Australia, with a length of 10,194 km or 12,889 km (20,781 km including islands). This accounts for a significant portion of Australia's total coastline. The Western Australian coastline is home to a diverse range of natural environments and ecosystems. It encompasses temperate sandy coastlines in the south and tropical reef environments in the north. The Ningaloo Coast, located in Western Australia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its pristine waters and diverse marine life.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority plays a crucial role in promoting the protection of the marine environment and infrastructure safety for navigation along the coastline. They maintain national search and maritime rescue services, ensuring the safety of those who venture out into Australia's vast coastal waters. Additionally, local governments in Western Australia are at the forefront of managing social, economic, and environmental impacts in their coastal areas. Collaborative partnerships between these local governments have enabled the development of adaptation plans to address coastal climate risks, demonstrating a commitment to preserving the fragile coastal ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia has the longest coastline of any state or territory in Australia, with a length of 10,194 km or 12,889 km (20,781 km including islands).
The total length of Australia's coastline is about 25,760 kilometres (16,000 miles) or 35,877 km (59,736 km including islands). Australia is the sixth largest country in the world and the only one of the top six that is completely surrounded by water.
Western Australia's coastline boasts the greatest diversity of seagrasses in the world, with meadows that are among the largest on Earth. It is also home to the oldest life forms on Earth, the stromatolites of Shark Bay, and the Ningaloo Reef, the longest fringing reef in the world.
Calculations for Australia's coastline lengths are sourced from Geoscience Australia's GEODATA Coast 100K 2004 database and the National Topographic Map Series. New technologies will allow for more detailed measurements and increased coastline length values.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) promotes the protection of the marine environment and infrastructure for safe navigation. The Australian Coastal Society works to promote a coordinated framework for coastal and marine management in Western Australia, and similar organisations exist for different states.
