Exmouth

Resort town and former port in Devon, southwest England, at the mouth of the River Exe, 14 km/9 mi southeast of Exeter; population (2001) 33,000. Small industries include engineering and a pottery specializing in novelty teapots. The port was permanently closed to commercial vessels in 1989, but the town remains a yachting and boating centre.

Other tourist facilities include pleasure boat cruises up the Exe to Topsham, just below Exeter, and local angling for salmon and trout. The Exe estuary nature reserve is notable for its bird life.

Manchester Quay, the former docking point for vessels, has now largely been filled in, and the area has been developed.

Exmouth

Coastal town in northern Western Australia, 1,260 km/783 mi north of Perth; population (1996) 3,100. Current industries include fishing, cattle, sheep, communications, and tourism.

The region around Exmouth was first settled by pastoralists in 1899, although a permanent settlement did not emerge until World War II when a submarine base was established. The base was the target of a Japanese raid in 1943. Oil exploration and increasing fishing operations during the 1950s contributed to renewed activity. Oil was discovered in 1953, though not in commercial quantities. The establishment of a US Naval Communication Station in 1963 secured the future of the settlement.

Cyclone Vance struck Exmouth in March 1999, destroying or severely damaging hundreds of houses, and leaving more than 100 people homeless. There were no casualties. Vance was the strongest cyclone ever to hit an Australian town.