Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Airing Date: Aug 4th, 2003
Monkey Mia is known for the wild bottlenose dolphins which have been visiting its beach for over 10 years. There are six regular beach dolphins and at times there have been more than 20. They visit of their own accord, and with up to three feeds a day, are the most reliable and frequently visiting wild dolphins in the world.
The Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort is located on a section of World Heritage coastline, just 27 kilometres from Denham or a 90 minute flight from Perth. It offers Australia's only budget to luxury accommodation located right on the beach, providing the full range of options including camping, backpackers, caravan park, family park homes and luxury, motel style and beachfront garden villas.
The resort is eco-tourism accredited and AAA rated. It also features a swimming pool, hot tub, beach volleyball, tennis, kayak and glass bottom boat hire, as well as snorkelling, power scuba dive hire and fishing.
The newest addition is the new Monkey Mia Dolphin Lodge and Backpackers. Visitors can choose from twin ensuite, family ensuite or dormitory style accommodation. There are also king sized beachside ensuites with private balconies available. The Lodge's special facilities include a 24 hour, fully equipped self-cater kitchen, BBQ facilities and the Monkey Bar.
The dolphin feedings are supervised by conservation and land management officers, who also supply the food. With up to three feeds per day, each dolphin only gets a snack - around two kilos of fish, or about a quarter of what they eat in a day.
The dolphins are not fed after 1pm and spend their afternoons offshore. It gives the youngsters plenty of learning time in the wild to become self sufficient, and therefore not dependant on the beach feeds.
The best way to see the spectacular coastline is to take a 30 minute flight over Shark Bay. Alternatively, take a Shotover boat cruise around the Shark Bay Marine Park. This area is called Shark Bay for a good reason - out here, dolphin's on the menu. 75% of the dolphins in the area have scars made by sharks, and 40% of the baby dolphins born every year are eaten by sharks.
The facts:
Dorms at Monkey Mia cost from $18.50 a person in a seven person dormitory.
Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort
Tel: 1800 653 611
As a special offer for viewers of The Great Outdoors, the first 100 callers will get a package with Skippers Aviation and World Heritage Tours, including return flights from Perth to Monkey Mia, two nights in a luxury unit and park fees, all for $530. That's a saving of 50% off the normal price!
World Heritage Tours
Tel: 1800 645 022
Suggested reading material: Lonely Planet
Prices correct at 06/12/04
