New Coral Bay accommodation opens

The first of a new set of units overlooking the beach in Coral Bay have opened to bookings and the rest of the build is expected to be finished ahead of next year’s peak season.

The Brogan family’s Ningaloo Bayview Caravan Park unveiled its first four self-contained units built at the front of the park under a $10 million project.

A further 16 units are under construction and it is hoped they will be available in time for the tourist rush which usually starts in the north-west around Easter.

Ningaloo Bayview director Alistair Brogan said the units had been fitted out to cater for guests wanting more creature comforts.

“Dishwashers, induction cooktop, stone benchtops, king sized beds; so much higher quality, which I think is seeing the growing demand,” he said.

“It is aimed at families, they are sort of like an upmarket version of the Rottnest units in Longreach and Geordie, if you like.

“It was a modular construction then finished on site with balconies and staircases.”

Mr Brogan said material and labour costs had pushed the bill higher than he had hoped

“I have been building up here for 30 years, things always come in more than you budget for,” he said.

“It is what it is, and you have just got to work with that.”

The first four units are three-bed facilities, and the remaining 16 will be two-bed units.

They replace nine older two-bed units.

The Brogan family is responsible for much of the development of Coral Bay and is one of two major landholders in town alongside the Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation.

Brogan interests include the caravan park, backpacker’s lodge, shopping arcade and Bill’s Bar.

RAC meanwhile has demolished the 50-year-old Ningaloo Reef Resort.

The insurer hopes to have its new $55 million, 90-bed hotel open for the 2026 tourism season.

It spent a further $15 million building 42 workers’ lodgings to accommodate staff.