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National park · Australia

Cape Range National Park

Day-trip from Exmouth along Yardie Creek Road: snorkel Turquoise Bay at the north end, walk Mandu Mandu gorge (3 km, 1.5 h) and finish at Yardie Creek; go May–Sep, start before 9:00, carry 5 L of water per person.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
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Directions
From where I am

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Area

476 km²

approximate

Established

1964

Best months

May–Sep

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

At a glance

Country
Australia
Area
476 km²
Park boundary figures vary by source; the gazetted area is roughly 470–510 km² (check).
Established
1964
Best months
May–Sep
Permits
For some areas

Cape Range is a limestone plateau on the North West Cape, 50 km south of Exmouth in the Gascoyne, cut by dry gorges and fronted by Ningaloo Reef a few hundred metres offshore. The reef is the reason most people come: Turquoise Bay, Oyster Stacks and Lakeside are shore entries into a shallow lagoon with coral, fish and turtles, no boat needed. On land, Mandu Mandu and Yardie Creek gorges give short walks above permanent water and rock wallaby cliffs. The coast road is sealed from Exmouth to Yardie Creek, so a 2WD hire car covers the main sights; the eastern canyons off the highway are dirt-road country. Campgrounds are capped and must be booked, and there is no fresh water, no fuel and almost no phone signal in the park.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.

Size and age

476 km² · national park since 1964

Park boundary figures vary by source; the gazetted area is roughly 470–510 km² (check).

Why go

  • Ningaloo Reef sits a few hundred metres offshore, so you can snorkel straight off the beach with no boat.
  • Turquoise Bay and Oyster Stacks put coral, fish and turtles within a short swim of the sand.
  • Two gorge walks — Mandu Mandu and Yardie Creek — give a dry-land counterpoint to the reef.
  • The coast road is sealed end to end, so a 2WD hire car is enough for the main sights.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebAvoid
  3. MarCaution
  4. AprGo
  5. MayBest
  6. JunBest
  7. JulBest
  8. AugBest
  9. SepBest
  10. OctGo
  11. NovCaution
  12. DecAvoid
  • Jan40°C-plus days; cyclone risk
  • FebHottest, humid; storms
  • MarStill hot; cyclone season
  • AprCooling; boat tours restart
  • MayDry, mild; whales arriving
  • JunClear, comfortable days
  • JulPeak season; book campsites
  • AugCool nights, calm lagoon
  • SepWarm, dry; whales still about
  • OctHeating up; quieter
  • Nov40°C possible; no shade
  • DecExtreme heat; cyclone risk

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Cape Range National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Humpback whales offshore (Bloodwood Creek lookout is a known vantage point)Jun–Oct · Migrating north, then south with calves.nononononoyesyesyesyesyesnono
Green and loggerhead turtles in the lagoonAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Manta rays, reef sharks and octopus on the reefApr–Octnononoyesyesyesyesyesyesyesnono
Rock wallabies at Yardie Creek gorgeAll year · Most active early morning and late afternoon.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Emus, kangaroos and echidnas in the scrubMay–Sep · Most visible in the cooler months; a road hazard at dusk.nonononoyesyesyesyesyesnonono

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Exmouth

Drive south on Murat Road, then Yardie Creek Road; the road is sealed all the way to Yardie Creek. No fuel in the park.

50 min to the park entrance, 1 h 15 to Yardie Creek

From Learmonth Airport

Pick up a hire car and drive north to Exmouth, then follow the coast road south.

1 h 45 to Yardie Creek

From Perth

Fly to Learmonth (about 1 h 50) or drive the North West Coastal Highway via Carnarvon.

2 h flight, 13 h drive

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Cape Range National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Northern beaches (Mangrove Bay, Ned's Bore, Milyering)Mangrove boardwalk, the Milyering Discovery Centre and the first campgrounds.Open with park entry; unsealed side roads, mostly fine for 2WD in dry weather.
Turquoise Bay and Oyster StacksThe main shore-snorkelling beaches and the busiest stretch of coast.Open; car park fills by mid-morning in peak season.
Mandu Mandu and KurralongGorge walk, dune campgrounds and the Bloodwood Creek lookout.Open; unsealed access roads.
Yardie Creek and Boat HarbourYear-round creek, gorge walk, boat tours and the largest campground.Sealed road ends here; the sandbar crossing south is 4WD only and often impassable.
Eastern canyons (Shothole, Charles Knife)Inland gorges reached from the highway side, not from the coast road.Dirt roads, 4WD advised; closures after fire or heavy rain (check).

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 9 approximate points in Cape Range National Park, north up123456789
Approximate positions along the coast road from the park entrance to Boat Harbour, for orientation only.
  1. 1Park entrance (Yardie Creek Road) · Gate≈-21.923, 114.010Approximate.Map ↗
  2. 2Mangrove Bay · Beach≈-21.965, 113.943Map ↗
  3. 3Milyering Discovery Centre · Headquarters≈-22.029, 113.923Map ↗
  4. 4Turquoise Bay · Beach≈-22.098, 113.888Map ↗
  5. 5Mandu Mandu gorge · Trail≈-22.149, 113.883Map ↗
  6. 6Sandy Bay · Beach≈-22.232, 113.843Map ↗
  7. 7Yardie Creek · Trail≈-22.322, 113.813Map ↗
  8. 8Boat Harbour · Beach≈-22.364, 113.786Map ↗
  9. 9Exmouth · Town≈-21.933, 114.128Approximate town centre.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

SnorkellingEasy1–2 hTurquoise Bay drift snorkelEnter at the north Bay Loop end or drift north from the Drift Loop car park. Currents run at the south point; check tide and wind before you get in.
TrailsModerate1.5 hMandu Mandu gorge walk3 km return up a dry limestone gorge; loose rock, no shade. Best before 9:00 in warm months.
TrailsModerate1–1.5 hYardie Creek gorge walkShort climb above a permanent waterhole where black-flanked rock wallabies are often seen on the cliffs.
Boat tripsEasy1 hYardie Creek boat tourPuttering cruise up the creek, roughly April–September; a minibus connection from Exmouth is available.Booking: Book ahead in peak season
SnorkellingModerate1 hOyster Stacks snorkelFive reef islets with dense coral and fish. Only workable near high tide; sharp rock and shells at the entry.
CultureEasy30–45 minMilyering Discovery CentreDisplays on the reef and the cave fauna that lives below the water table; the only place with a phone signal.
BeachesEasyHalf daySandy Bay and Osprey BaySheltered sand usually free of current; windy afternoons bring windsurfers.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check
Fees for Cape Range National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (private vehicle, per day)AUD 15–17vehicle2026 estimate; WA parks entry is charged per vehicle with up to 12 occupants (check current rate).
Park entry (per person, walk or cycle in)AUD 8–9person2026 estimate (check).
Campground feeAUD 11–15adult per night2026 estimate; concession and child rates lower. Book ahead — capacity is capped.
Yardie Creek boat tourAUD 45–50adult2026 estimate; runs roughly April–September. A minibus add-on from Exmouth costs extra (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry fee permit or guide

Pay at the park entrance station on Yardie Creek Road (self-registration when unstaffed) or buy a WA parks pass online before you drive out.

Campground booking permit or guide

Book online in advance for every park campground; sites are limited and fill in the July school holidays.

Caving access permit or guide

There are no show caves; cave systems need training, equipment and permission from the parks authority (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Fishing
Line fishing from the beach is allowed; spear-fishing is not. Boat-fishing is restricted to set areas — check the parks authority site before you launch.
Dogs and pets
Not permitted anywhere in the park, including in vehicles passing through.
Water
No fresh water supply in the park. Carry about 5 L per person per day; the Ned's Bore spring is declared unfit for drinking.
Drones
Not allowed without permission from the parks authority (check).
Fires
Open fires are not permitted; the scrub is tinder-dry and a spark can start a fast-moving fire.
Unsealed roads
Check your rental agreement — many exclude unsealed roads, and some campground access tracks are rough.

Where to stay

In the park

Yardie Creek campground

The largest park campground, at the end of the sealed road beside the beach and gorge.

In the park

Osprey Bay and Bungarra campgrounds

Small beach sites in the south; Bungarra has only a handful of pitches.

In the park

Sal Salis

Upmarket tented camp at Mandu Mandu, full board, open roughly April–October.

Near the park

Exmouth

The nearest town with motels, hostels, shops and fuel, 50 km north of the park entrance.

Safety

Heat and no shade high

Walk and snorkel before 9:00 or after 16:00 from November to March; carry 5 L of water per person per day and use reef-safe sun protection.

Wildlife on the road at dusk and after dark high

Avoid driving in the park at night. Kangaroos, wallabies and emus stand on the road and their eyes do not reflect headlights.

Rip and drift currents at Turquoise Bay medium

Snorkel the north end or drift north from the Drift Loop car park; do not swim against the current at the south point.

Cyclones and flash flooding medium

November to April, check forecasts before driving out; the Yardie Creek sandbar crossing floods and roads can close.

No mobile signal medium

Tell someone your plan before leaving Exmouth; the only signal is a hotspot at the Discovery Centre.

Bushfire medium

In hot, windy weather check for park closures and follow ranger instructions; the eastern canyons have burned in recent years.

Accessibility

  • The Milyering Discovery Centre, its toilets and the main beach car parks are reachable by sealed road with short, level walks.
  • Mandu Mandu and Yardie Creek gorge trails are rough, rocky and unshaded; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
  • Campgrounds have basic toilets; none have showers or powered sites.

Visiting lightly

  • Use reef-safe sunscreen and keep fins off the coral — the lagoon is shallow and easy to damage.
  • Take all rubbish back to Exmouth; bins in the park are limited.
  • Book campsites rather than camping informally; the capped numbers protect the dune vegetation.
  • Keep 3 m from turtles and rays, and never chase or touch them.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Cape Range National Park?

Entry is charged per vehicle per day — roughly A$15–17 in 2026, covering up to 12 occupants — or about A$8–9 per person if you walk or cycle in. Camping is charged separately per adult per night, and you pay entry once on arrival then re-enter free for the length of your booked stay. Rates are set by the WA parks authority, so check the current figure before you go.

What are the best hikes in Cape Range National Park?

Mandu Mandu gorge is the classic: 3 km return, about 1.5 h, up a dry limestone gorge with loose rock and no shade. Yardie Creek gorge is shorter and easier, climbing above a permanent waterhole where rock wallabies are often visible. Both are best walked before 9:00 in the warmer months. Longer canyon trails on the eastern side of the park start from the highway near Exmouth, not from the coast road.

When is the best time to visit Cape Range National Park?

May to September: dry, mild days, calm lagoon and the humpback migration offshore. October and April are workable shoulder months. November to March routinely exceeds 40°C, there is no shade, and cyclone downpours are possible — if you visit then, snorkel and walk early in the day and carry plenty of water.

Do I need a 4WD to visit Cape Range National Park?

No, not for the main sights. Yardie Creek Road is sealed from Exmouth all the way to Yardie Creek, and the campground and beach access tracks are usually fine for 2WD in dry weather. A few tracks are rough, and the sandbar crossing south of Yardie Creek is 4WD only and often impassable. Check your rental agreement, as many exclude unsealed roads.

Can I snorkel straight off the beach?

Yes. Ningaloo Reef lies a few hundred metres offshore and encloses a shallow lagoon, so Turquoise Bay, Oyster Stacks and Lakeside are all shore entries. Oyster Stacks only works near high tide and has sharp rock at the entry; Turquoise Bay has currents at its south point, so use the north end or drift north from the Drift Loop car park.

Is there mobile phone signal or drinking water in the park?

No mobile signal anywhere in the park except a hotspot at the Milyering Discovery Centre, and coverage on the road from Exmouth gives out at the park gate. There is no fresh water supply in the park — carry about 5 L per person per day. The spring at Ned's Bore is untreated and declared unfit for human drinking.

Related

Australia travel guide National park passes

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources