When Bill Brogan first visited Coral Bay in 1973, it was a dot on the map, home to a handful of people and one of the world's best-kept secrets. It also happened to be adjacent to one of the world's greatest natural wonders, the 260 kilometre long Ningaloo Reef.
While recognising its potential as a holiday destination, he was also aware of its shortcomings - poor access, a shortage of water (in an area that receives only 100mm of rainfall a year), no reliable electricity supply or sewerage system, and little protection from the elements.

Bill Brogan, however, had a vision. It began when he purchased a four-room transportable building, a 37 foot charter boat, and a glass bottomed boat, the Miss Coral Bay I. This was the start of a remarkable enterprise.

That initial investment has grown to become one of the most popular holiday resorts on Western Australia's North-West coast. From two units in 1978, Bayview Coral Bay has developed into a complex that, when the "Full" sign goes out, can accommodate up to 1,200 people in anything from a four bedroom house to a tent or backpackers' dorm.

Along the way, the Brogan family - who still operate the resort - has installed the generators that provide electricity for the Coral Bay community, sunk bores to provide its water, built the shopping centre, residents' housing and sewerage system, and run charter and glass bottomed boat tours.