National park · Australia
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Drive Caves Road and pick two caves plus one coastal walk: Calgardup or Mammoth for a self-guided hour, Jewel for the big chambers, Cape Leeuwin or Cape Naturaliste for the lighthouse and whale lookouts. Park entry is free; you pay per cave and per lighthouse tour. Go Oct–Apr for dry walking, Jun–Sep for whales.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km²58 sq mi
approximate
Established
1957
Best months
Sep–Nov, Jan–Apr
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
- 150 km²58 sq mi
- The park runs almost continuously along about 120 km of coast between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin; it is narrow in places and reaches over 10 km inland in others. Area figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1957
- Best months
- Sep–Nov, Jan–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park runs almost continuously along about 120 km of coast in Western Australia's south-west, between Cape Naturaliste in the north and Cape Leeuwin in the south, with Caves Road threading the limestone belt behind it. Entry to the park is free; the costs are per cave, per lighthouse tower tour and per campsite night. The draw is a pair of things that rarely sit this close together: more than 100 known caves in the karst, several of them walkable on self-guided boardwalks, and the Cape to Cape Track, 123 km of clifftop, forest and beach walking between the two lighthouses. Inland, the Boranup karri forest holds stands up to about 60 m tall. Winter and spring bring humpback and southern right whales past the capes. Bushfires in late 2021 damaged parts of the park and closed attractions for repairs; check current alerts before you drive.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1957.
Size and age
150 km²58 sq mi · national park since 1957
The park runs almost continuously along about 120 km of coast between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin; it is narrow in places and reaches over 10 km inland in others. Area figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Limestone caves under the karst belt, from a 300 m self-guided walk to Jewel Cave's long straw formations.
- The Cape to Cape Track: 123 km of coast between the two lighthouses, walkable in 5–7 days or in day sections.The Cape to Cape Track: 76 mi of coast between the two lighthouses, walkable in 5–7 days or in day sections.
- Boranup karri forest, with karri and jarrah stands up to about 60 m tall, right beside Caves Road.
- Whale watching from the capes in winter and spring, and the Indian–Southern Ocean boundary at Cape Leeuwin.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecCaution
- JanDry, hot; start walks before 9:00Dry, hot; start walks before 9:00 AM
- FebDry and hot; caves are cool inside
- MarWarm, settled; good for the track
- AprMild and dry; quiet midweek
- MayCooler; first rains, some caves close
- JunWet and windy; whale season starts
- JulWettest month; whales offshore
- AugRain and wind; whales at the capes
- SepWhales plus wildflowers; showers
- OctDry, mild, wildflowers; busiest
- NovDry and warm; long days
- DecHot and crowded; fire risk rises
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback and southern right whales offshoreJun–Nov · Watch from the capes and high cliff points; peak sightings in September and October. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Spring wildflowers in the coastal heathAug–Nov · The south-west is a global floristic hotspot; the track passes through it. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Western ringtail possum and other nocturnal mammalsAll year · Look after dark near forest edges; do not feed or handle. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Snakes active on warm daysOct–Mar · Watch your feet on sandy and rocky sections. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Perth
Drive the Kwinana and Forrest highways to Busselton, then Bussell Highway or Caves Road south.
2.5–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Busselton
Bussell Highway to the northern end near Cape Naturaliste, or Caves Road for the caves.
30–45 min
From Margaret River
Caves Road runs through the middle of the park; most caves are 15–30 min away.
15–30 min
From Augusta
Cape Leeuwin is about 10 min south of town.
10 min
From South West region plan
Where the park fits with Margaret River, Busselton and Augusta.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Northern cape (Cape Naturaliste) | Lighthouse, whale lookout, Sugarloaf Rock and the paved section of the Cape to Cape Track. | Open; lighthouse tour ticketed. |
| Caves belt (Caves Road) | Calgardup, Mammoth, Giants and Jewel caves, plus the visitor centre at Calgardup. | Open with cave tickets; hours vary by season. |
| Boranup karri forest | Tall karri and jarrah inland of Caves Road, with forest drives and short walks. | Open; unsealed roads after rain. |
| Southern cape (Cape Leeuwin) | Lighthouse, the Indian–Southern Ocean marker and the southern end of the track. | Open; lighthouse tour ticketed. |
Sketch map
- 1Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-33.539, 115.019Map ↗
- 2Sugarloaf Rock · Viewpoint≈-33.556, 115.018Map ↗
- 3Calgardup Cave and visitor centre · Cave≈-34.052, 115.025Map ↗
- 4Mammoth Cave · Cave≈-34.058, 115.031Map ↗
- 5Giants Cave · Cave≈-34.091, 115.044Map ↗
- 6Jewel Cave · Cave≈-34.292, 115.130Map ↗
- 7Boranup karri forest · Trail≈-34.130, 115.070Map ↗
- 8Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-34.374, 115.136Map ↗
- 9Margaret River · Town≈-33.952, 115.074Map ↗
- 10Contos campsite · Sleep≈-34.020, 115.020Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (all vehicles and walkers) | Free | vehicle | No entry fee for this park; you pay only for caves, lighthouse tours and camping (check). |
| Calgardup Cave self-guided entry | AUD 9.5–19 | person | Adult about A$19, concession about A$12.50, child 6–16 about A$9.50, family about A$47.50; under 6 free. 2026 estimate. |
| Giants Cave self-guided entry | AUD 9.5–19 | person | Same band as Calgardup; children under 6 not admitted. 2026 estimate. |
| Jewel Cave and Mammoth Cave guided or self-guided entry | AUD 10–25 | person | Charged per cave; family rates exist. Confirm current prices at the visitor centre (check). |
| Cape Leeuwin or Cape Naturaliste lighthouse tour | AUD 10–25 | person | Grounds are free; the tower tour is ticketed (check). |
| Park campsite (Contos, Point Road and others) | AUD 11–22 | person per night | Book online before you travel; sites fill in school holidays (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Cave entry permit or guide
Cape to Cape Track no permit
Camping permit or guide
Park rules
- Cave closures
- Giants Cave closes May–Sep except on school and public holidays; other caves run shorter hours outside peak season. Check before driving.
- Fires
- Open fires are banned throughout the park because of bushfire risk; bring a stove.
- Track use
- The Cape to Cape Track is for walkers only; no horses, mountain bikes or trail bikes.
- Water
- Do not rely on tanks along the track; treat or carry your own drinking water.
- Wildlife
- No feeding or handling wildlife; keep distance from whales and stay back from cliff edges.
Where to stay
In the park
Contos and Point Road campsites
Park campsites with toilets and water tanks; book online, no open fires.
Near the park
Yallingup, Smiths Beach, Gracetown, Prevelly and Hamelin Bay
Hamlets on the track with caravan parks and commercial campgrounds.
Near the park
Margaret River
The main base for the caves belt: hotels, motels, hostels and rentals 15–30 min from most caves.
Near the park
Busselton and Dunsborough
Best base for the northern cape and Cape Naturaliste.
Safety
Heat and UV on the track high
No phone signal on long sections medium
Cliff edges and slippery rock medium
Bushfire medium
Cave steps and tight passages low
Accessibility
- The path between Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Sugarloaf Rock is wheelchair friendly.
- The Ellensbrook Homestead to Meekadarabee Cave section of the Cape to Cape Track is paved and boardwalked.
- Calgardup and Mammoth caves have boardwalks and steps; check with staff before entering with limited mobility.
- Caves Road and the main lookouts are sealed and reachable by car.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked tracks; the coastal heath is fragile and slow to recover.
- Carry out all rubbish and use the toilets at trailheads and campsites.
- Keep your distance from whales and never approach them by boat or drone without a permit.
- Book campsites rather than camping informally, and use a stove instead of a fire.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park?
Nothing. There is no entry fee for the park itself, and no pass is needed to drive Caves Road or walk the coastal sections. You pay per cave (about A$9.50–19 per person at Calgardup and Giants, more at Jewel and Mammoth), for lighthouse tower tours, and for park campsites, which are roughly A$11–22 per person per night. All figures are 2026 estimates; confirm at the Calgardup Cave visitor centre.
What are the best hikes in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park?
The Cape to Cape Track is the main one: 123 km between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, usually walked in 5–7 days, or in day sections such as Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock. Shorter options are the Boranup forest walks and the paved Ellensbrook Homestead to Meekadarabee Cave section. Carry at least 2 L of water a day and a personal locator beacon, as much of the track has no phone signal.
When is the best time to visit Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park?
October to April for dry, mild walking and the caves at full opening hours. June to September is wet and windy but is whale season, with humpbacks and southern rights seen from the capes; September and October combine whales with wildflowers. December to February is hot, crowded and carries higher bushfire risk.
Do I need to book caves in advance?
Usually no. Buy tickets at the cave entrance or at the Calgardup Cave visitor centre on the day. In school holidays and long weekends, arrive before 10:00. Giants Cave is closed May–September except on school and public holidays, so check hours before driving.
Can I drive the park in one day?
Yes, but it is a long day. From Busselton, drive Caves Road south, do Calgardup or Mammoth in the morning, Jewel Cave and the Boranup forest around midday, then Cape Leeuwin in the afternoon and return via Bussell Highway. Two days lets you add Cape Naturaliste and a Cape to Cape day section without rushing.
Is there anywhere to stay inside the park?
Yes, at park campsites such as Contos and Point Road, booked online in advance. Otherwise stay in the hamlets along the track — Yallingup, Smiths Beach, Gracetown, Prevelly and Hamelin Bay — or base in Margaret River, Busselton or Dunsborough. Open fires are banned throughout the park.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go