Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth in Western Australia, has limestone gorges and Ningaloo coast beaches. Walk through Yardie Creek gorge, snorkel at Turquoise Bay or Lakeside, or compare beach access and facilities at Osprey Bay, Kurrajong and Tulki Beach before choosing a campsite.
Gorges and canyon walks
Yardie Creek is the park’s easiest gorge visit. Its permanent water runs between sheer cliffs, and the 1.2 km return Yardie Nature Walk takes about 40 minutes. A more demanding trail continues above the gorge; DBCA describes its length differently across its visitor information, so check the current trail description before setting out. Boat tours are another way to see the gorge.
The 3 km Mandu Mandu Walk is more demanding. It follows a rocky creek bed, climbs to the gorge rim and takes about two hours. The route is Class 4, with steep sections and rough, uneven ground.
Shothole Canyon is best suited to a four-wheel-drive outing. The 12 km drive follows the canyon floor, and a short walk leads to a lookout. The stairs are steep and narrow, and the gravel can be slippery. Charles Knife Canyon offers a winding drive to a lookout over the range. For a longer walk, the Class 4 Badjirrajirra Walk is a 6 km loop across the range’s rocky gullies and small gorges; its final access section is unsuitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles.
Beaches and reef access
Turquoise Bay has reef life close to shore, making it suitable for snorkelling. Lakeside is another shore-snorkelling option. At Oyster Stacks, snorkelling access is possible only at high tide, so plan around the tide rather than arriving at any time.
Sandy Bay has white sand and picnic tables, with swimming and shore fishing available. Windy conditions also draw kite- and wind-surfers. Pilgramunna is suited to beach walks and fishing from shore, while Osprey Bay offers swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. Trealla Beach and South Mandu are other coastal stops for swimming and snorkelling; check Ningaloo Marine Park rules before fishing, particularly around sanctuary zones.
Beach conditions and access vary. Check the tide for Oyster Stacks and assess conditions at the beach before entering the water.
Camping by the coast
Among DBCA’s 10 general campgrounds are Boat Harbour, Bungarra, Kurrajong, Mesa and Neds. Five more are North Mandu, One K, Osprey Bay, Tulki Beach and Yardie Creek. They are basic, unpowered sites, and each suits a different trip.
Osprey Bay has 46 unpowered sites, plus pit toilets and picnic tables. Its beach is accessible for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. Kurrajong has 35 unpowered sites, and each campsite is about 150 m from the beach. Neds is smaller, with nine sites behind dunes beside a long, narrow beach. Tulki Beach has 11 compacted-gravel sites and is the campground closest to Turquoise Bay.
Bungarra has five sites. North Mandu sits behind dunes, while Mesa is a beachside option that can accommodate large motorhomes and fifth-wheel caravans. Yardie Creek is convenient for the gorge. One K and Boat Harbour are small sites south of Yardie Creek and require four-wheel drive.
Sal Salis is a privately operated eco-tent retreat, not a public campground. North Kurrajong is reserved for outdoor education providers and commercial tour groups.
Booking and campground rules
Camping is allowed only in designated sites, and you must book before arrival. Under the Ningaloo Coast camping trial, bookings are released monthly on the first Tuesday. Campground fees are charged separately from park entry fees; check DBCA’s current booking information for prices and availability.
As at 13 October 2026, Bungarra, North Mandu and Tulki Beach were scheduled to close for the low-demand season from 1 November 2026 and reopen on 15 March 2027. Check current park access and campground notices before travelling, as dates and availability can change.
Bring all the water you need for drinking and washing: there is no drinking water in the park. Campgrounds have basic toilets, and facilities vary by site. Campfires, including heat beads, are prohibited; portable gas stoves are permitted. Generator rules depend on the campground and booking. Dogs and other domestic pets are not permitted.