Exmouth (LEA) [What facilities exist when waiting for a flight?]

[Lynda2475]

Has anyone flow from PER to LEA recently? Im curious as to what facilities (assuming none) exist at the terminal? I know there isn't a lounge, but is there a cafe?

I just booked a trip from SYD-PER-LEA return for late next April (2019), as it has been a life long dream to swim with the whale sharks. The fares have typically been crazy i.e. more than a flight to NY that I've not previously been able to justify it, but the forward planning found a more reasonable fare and lure of DSC promo and recent work bonus sealed the deal.

I will be spending 3 nights in Exmouth and 4 nights in Coral Bay. Research has revealed there are no bus transfers from town of Exmouth to town Coral Bay (and hiring a car is not an option for me). The Ningaloo tourist office says I need to return to airport from Exmouth to then get a transfer to Coral Bay as separate companies do the two routes.

Transfers are aligned with flight arrival/departure times, so I will need to tell Exmouth charters that I'm on the 11:30am departure (you must specify a flight), but then wait around and tell Coral Bay transfer company that I'm on the 12:05 arrival.

This means I will have 90 minuets to kill at the terminal in LEA (no secure side), so will i need to bring my own drink and a book (or is there wifi) or is there somewhere to wait comfortably?

 

[Franky]

Has anyone flow from PER to LEA recently? Im curious as to what facilities (assuming none) exist at the terminal? I know there isn't a lounge, but is there a cafe?

I just booked a trip from SYD-PER-LEA return for late next April (2019), as it has been a life long dream to swim with the whale sharks. The fares have typically been crazy i.e. more than a flight to NY that I've not previously been able to justify it, but the forward planning found a more reasonable fare and lure of DSC promo and recent work bonus sealed the deal.

I will be spending 3 nights in Exmouth and 4 nights in Coral Bay. Research has revealed there are no bus transfers from town of Exmouth to town Coral Bay (and hiring a car is not an option for me). The Ningaloo tourist office says I need to return to airport from Exmouth to then get a transfer to Coral Bay as separate companies do the two routes.

Transfers are aligned with flight arrival/departure times, so I will need to tell Exmouth charters that I'm on the 11:30am departure (you must specify a flight), but then wait around and tell Coral Bay transfer company that I'm on the 12:05 arrival.

This means I will have 90 minuets to kill at the terminal in LEA (no secure side), so will i need to bring my own drink and a book (or is there wifi) or is there somewhere to wait comfortably?

'Town of Coral Bay' - last time I was in Coral Bay (1981 from memory) there was no town, just a caravan park with minimal grass, things change in just a short time! We will always remember the colours of the water and the reef. Enjoy.

 

[Lynda2475]

I gather Coral Bay is still very tiny, however I understand there is 1 resort/hotel, 1 hostel, 1 caravan park and a few guest houses now along with some cafes. The appeal is walking distance to the beach where you can swim out to reef and the resident manta rays.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Spent a week in Coral Bay in July, have written and posted a report in the trip report section if interested

 

[aaspro]

I was on a flight that stopped at Exmouth to refuel earlier this year. We did not get off so can't tell you what facilities were there. However, there was a very small modern terminal which would be comfortable to sit in for 90 minutes. I would doubt that there is a cafe. I would expect a vending machine of some sort. Good luck!

 

[OZDUCK]

This is from the Exmouth Shire site - it appears that there is a cafe & bar open at certain times.

Passenger Information » Shire of Exmouth, WA

 

[AIRwin]

According to the website:
The terminal which opened on 3 December 1999 has won a number of Royal Australian Institute of Architects awards for its innovative design which represents a coral reef.
About the Airport » Shire of Exmouth, WA

 

[QF WP]

@scharon are you able to assist with any detail?

 

[Lynda2475]

Thanks missed the bit on the site re the cafe.

I am keen to understand however if it on the public or air side of security, as obviously without a ticket (and with luggage that will usually be checked with liquids) I cant go air side while I wait for transfer.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks missed the bit on the site re the cafe.

I am keen to understand however if it on the public or air side of security, as obviously without a ticket (and with luggage that will usually be checked with liquids) I cant go air side while I wait for transfer.

Why not ask the local tourist office?

Ningaloo Visitor Centre - Welcome the Exmouth Visitor Centre - Exmouth Visitor Centre, Exmouth Accommodation, Exmouth Western Australia, Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth Tourism, Exmouth Accommodation, Exmouth Tours, Exmouth Events, Exmouth Activities, Hire, Car Hire, Businesses, Ningaloo, Ningaloo Reef, Snorkel Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay

 

[Scr77]

I was there in June. There is a cafe and it is airside. You won’t need to show a ticket to pass through security to get to the cafe. Security was closed when we got there (for a 11.30am flight) and only opened around and hour before the flight (Qantas).

I think only qantas use airport (virgin use Onslow) so you could look at their departures to see when security/cafe would be open.

The airport is at the army base and you are not allowed to take photos.

 

[Lynda2475]

Thanks, the no photo rule explains why i coudlnt find any pics of the inside of the terminal in my google search. I figure im looking at at 90min-2hour wait, so as long as I can get a seat inside somewhere, i can suffer without a coffee/drink.

 

[Franky]

I was there in June. There is a cafe and it is airside. You won’t need to show a ticket to pass through security to get to the cafe. Security was closed when we got there (for a 11.30am flight) and only opened around and hour before the flight (Qantas).

I think only qantas use airport (virgin use Onslow) so you could look at their departures to see when security/cafe would be open.

The airport is at the army base and you are not allowed to take photos.

I think you'll find it's actually an RAAF Base.

 

[Scr77]

I think you'll find it's actually an RAAF Base.

Well....you are correct now...but not originally. The town of Exmouth was established to support the US airforce and US dollar was common. Was even full of left hand drive vevhicles! There are still communications facilities (387m high towers) operated in cooperation with the US to communicate with the US submarines. It’s a unique area and worth a visit - the whale sharks are good too!

Exmouth, Western Australia - Wikipedia

 

[Franky]

Well....you are correct now...but not originally. The town of Exmouth was established to support the US airforce and US dollar was common. Was even full of left hand drive vevhicles! There are still communications facilities (387m high towers) operated in cooperation with the US to communicate with the US submarines. It’s a unique area and worth a visit - the whale sharks are good too!

Exmouth, Western Australia - Wikipedia

I'm well aware of the base at Exmouth, but your'e talking about two different places - USS Harold E Holt, an American communications establishment, which whilst commissioned was staffed by around 240 USN and 49 RAN sailors, is located in Exmouth. I once used to be responsible for paying our sailors serving there. It is still operational but now manned by civilian Defence contractors. RAAF Learmonth is about 40km south, and like Darwin, is co-located with the civilian airport on the one airfield. If and when the balloon goes up, the strip is long enough to cope with our current military aircraft. There is a similar strip further north near Derby, called RAAF Curtin.