Festival
of the Reef

Coral Bay, Western Australia
2nd – 4th June 2023

Festival of the Reef is a ‘Blue Oceans Festival’ staged on Thalandji Country which boasts perfect seaside sunsets, underwater wonders, family-friendly beaches and celebrates the community of Coral Bay which has a population of 300. The festival program includes international festival favourites, live music, circus, dance and comedy performances, visual arts, the Underwater Film Festival, community markets and art spectacle! 

Coral Bay is located 1,200 kilometres north of Perth and has access to the 260 km Ningaloo Reef which lies close to the shore and forms a natural lagoon. Originally home to the Baiyungu people, archaeologists believe Aboriginal occupation of the area for 60000 years.   

The first known European sighting of the North West Cape was made in early 1618 by a crew member of the Dutch ship Zeewolf. Later that year Captain Jacobz of the ship Mauritius made contact with land however, the district remained largely uncolonised for decades due to its dry climate and remote location. The First European Settlement in the area was named Maud’s Landing in 1915 after the schooner Maud which landed in the Bay in 1884. By the 20th century a small bay, known as Bills Bay after Ruby May French who was known as Aunty Billy was attracting holidaymakers. In 1968 a hotel, caravan park and service station were established in Bills Bay. The hotel was known as Coral Bay Hotel. From here the Bay’s name evolved from Bills Bay to Coral Bay. The area was visited by Bill and Alison Brogan in 1973  who recognised the potential and purchased a transportable building, a charter yacht and a sight-seeing boat which he called Miss Coral Bay I. The 1980s saw the formation of a housing estate and the tapping of artesian groundwater.

Location

The festival program includes:

Seaside Cinema presents
'The Under Water Film Festival'

Date: Friday 2 June 2023
Time: 6pm – 10pm 
Location: Baz's Park
Cost: Free

Heartland Concert: On Ocean’s Edge

Date: Saturday 3 June 2023
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Location: Coral Bay Beach
Cost: Free

Aerial dance, circus, live music and fire performance framed by a perfect sunset transitioning into a calm twilight on the ocean’s edge. 

Treasures, Treats & Beats 

Date: Sunday 4 June 2023
Time: 10am – 12noon 
Location: Baz's Park 
Cost: Free

Markets, circus workshops, DJs and more!