Tim Winton’s Ningaloo documentary launches in Exmouth

More than 100 Exmouth locals have gathered for the launch of Tim
Winton’s three-part documentary Ningaloo Nyinggulu, airing on the ABC this week.

Made by Peter Rees of Artemis Media (Mythbusters) in association with Matter of Factual, and shot over 57 weeks, it explores the Ningaloo, Exmouth Gulf and Cape Range region Winton has championed – and campaigned to protect – for decades.

“When I first went to Exmouth it was a cargo town … a little more rosy of neck, shall we say,” Winton said in an interview with WAtoday.

“The kinds of people who have gone to Ningaloo in the past generation have stayed and transformed the place.

“People who came here for ecotourism as punters, but stayed and raised families.”

Many of those attended the screening hosted by Artemis Media and Screen West, as did traditional owners and Minister for Culture and the Arts David Templeman.

“Congratulations to Tim Winton, [Artemis Media executive producer] Celia Tait, [cultural advisor] Hazel Walgar and all the traditional owners for the powerful and stunningly filmed Ningaloo Nyinggulu,” the minister said.

“Both a call to arms and a beautiful celebration of the unique World Heritage listed region, the documentary was filmed in consultation with over 100 scientists and experts, employing and training over 21 locals from Exmouth and Coral Bay. It will no doubt become a legacy project for Western Australia and the nation.”

The series has been called “spellbindingly beautiful and moving” by the Australian Women’s Weekly and “captivating” by Yahoo Canada.

Ningaloo Nyinggulu premieres on the ABC, Tuesday, May 16, 8.30pm.

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