National park · Australia

Mount Augustus National Park

Go only if you are already driving the Gascoyne: 4WD or high-clearance from Carnarvon (about 470 km, allow 6–7 h), walk the 12 km base trail at sunrise, and sleep at the one roadhouse outside the gate. Skip it as a day trip from anywhere.Go only if you are already driving the Gascoyne: 4WD or high-clearance from Carnarvon (about 292 mi, allow 6–7 h), walk the 7.5 mi base trail at sunrise, and sleep at the one roadhouse outside the gate. Skip it as a day trip from anywhere.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

92 km²35 sq mi

approximate

Established

1989

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: 92 km²35 sq mi; Park boundary figures vary slightly by source; about 92 km² (check).
Established: 1989
Best months: May–Sep
Permits: For some areas

Mount Augustus is a monocline of red sandstone and quartzite rising about 715 m above the surrounding plain, roughly twice the size of Uluru and far harder to reach. There is no town, no fuel and no campground inside the park; the nearest beds are at a single tourist park just outside the boundary. The reward is a quiet base walk past Aboriginal rock art, a steep summit route and night skies with no light around them. Distances are long, roads are unsealed, and the nearest hospital is hours away.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

No UNESCO listing; national park since 1989.

Size and age

92 km²35 sq mi · national park since 1989

Park boundary figures vary slightly by source; about 92 km² (check).

Why go

A monolith roughly twice the size of Uluru, with a fraction of the visitors.
Aboriginal rock art (petroglyphs) along the base trail, including engravings of emu tracks and circles.
A genuine outback drive through Gascoyne station country, with wildflowers after winter rain.
Dark night skies and no queues: on most days you will meet only a handful of other vehicles.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanAvoid
FebAvoid
MarAvoid
AprCaution
MayBest
JunBest
JulBest
AugBest
SepBest
OctGo
NovCaution
DecAvoid

Jan40 °C+ days; roads can close after rain104 °F+ days; roads can close after rain
FebHottest, humid; cyclone tails reach inland
MarStill very hot; unsealed roads soft
AprCooling; check road conditions
MayMild days, cold nights; clear
JunDry, comfortable walking
JulPeak season; nights near freezing
AugDry and mild; wildflowers start
SepWarm days, wildflowers in bloom
OctGetting hot by late month
NovHot; carry extra water
DecExtreme heat; not for walking

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Mount Augustus National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Wildflowers (everlastings, mulla mulla)Jul–Sep · Depends on winter rain; some years are poor.	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Red kangaroos and eurosAll year · Most active around dawn and dusk.	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Birds of the arid zone (zebra finches, budgerigars, raptors)Apr–Sep · Waterholes and the day-use area are the best spots.	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Flies and antsOct–Mar · Bring a head net in the warm months.	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 Carnarvon

Carnarvon–Mullewa Road east to Gascoyne Junction, then Ullawarra Road and the signed turn to the park; mostly unsealed.

6–7 h

From Meekatharra

Northwest on the Landor–Mount Augustus road, following local signs; long unsealed sections.

4–5 h

From Perth

Fly or drive to Carnarvon first, then the road route above; there is no public transport to the park.

2 days

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Mount Augustus National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Day-use area and visitor information bay	Shade, picnic tables, toilets and the start of the base trail.	Open; no fee.
Base trail (around the rock)	The 12 km loop past rock art panels, gullies and waterholes.The 7.5 mi loop past rock art panels, gullies and waterholes.	Open on foot; no vehicles on the trail.
Summit route	A steep, unmarked-in-places climb from near the day-use area to the crest.	Open; experienced walkers only.
Surrounding station country	Pastoral leases and unsealed public roads outside the park boundary.	Stay on roads; do not cross station gates.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions for orientation only; the park is remote and signage is limited.

1Mount Augustus day-use area · Headquarters≈-24.331, 116.844Approximate; start of the base trail.Map ↗
2Mount Augustus summit · Summit≈-24.325, 116.842Map ↗
3Mount Augustus Outback Tourist Park · Sleep≈-24.308, 116.910Map ↗
4Gascoyne Junction · Town≈-25.052, 115.209Approximate; last fuel before the park.Map ↗
5Carnarvon · Town≈-24.883, 113.657Approximate; main supply base.Map ↗

See & do

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

Top experiences

TrailsModerate4–6 hBase trail (Mount Augustus loop)About 12 km around the rock on rough, stony ground; start at first light to finish before the heat. Rock art panels sit close to the trail.

TrailsHard3–4 h returnSummit walkSteep loose rock with some scrambling; the top gives a full view over the plain. Not for anyone unsure on their feet.

CultureEasy1–2 hRock art along the baseEngravings near the trail; look, photograph, do not touch or chalk.

ViewpointsEasy1 hSunset from the day-use areaThe rock turns deep red in the last light; the drive back to the tourist park is short.

WildlifeEasyHalf dayWildflower driveAfter good winter rain, everlastings and mulla mulla line the roadside between July and September.

Practical

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

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check

Fees for Mount Augustus National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry	Free	vehicle	No entry fee is charged for this park; WA national park entry fees apply at other parks in the state (check).
Camping in the park	Free	night	Not permitted; there is no campground inside the boundary.
Unpowered site, Mount Augustus Outback Tourist Park	AUD 20–45	night	2026 estimate; powered and cabin rates are higher.
Fuel at Gascoyne Junction or the tourist park	AUD 2–2.4	litre	2026 estimate; outback prices run well above Perth.

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

Park entry no permit

No permit or ticket needed; drive in and park at the day-use area.

Camping no permit

Not available: camping inside the park is prohibited, so book a site or room at the tourist park outside the boundary.

Drone use permit or guide

Permission from the Parks and Wildlife Service is required before flying in the park (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Camping: Prohibited inside the park; there is no campground. Sleep at the tourist park outside the boundary.
Rock art: Do not touch, wet, chalk or remove engravings; they are fragile and culturally significant.
Water: There is no drinking water in the park. Carry all you need, at least 4 litres per person per day.
Fires: Open fires are restricted; use a gas stove and check current fire bans before you travel.check
Drones: Require permission from the Parks and Wildlife Service (check).check
Pets: Not allowed in the park; leave them in town.

Where to stay

Near the park

Mount Augustus Outback Tourist Park

The only accommodation near the park: twin and self-contained rooms plus powered and unpowered sites, a short drive from the boundary.

Near the park

Gascoyne Junction

Roadhouse, small pub and basic rooms about 300 km away; the last reliable fuel before the park.Roadhouse, small pub and basic rooms about 186 mi away; the last reliable fuel before the park.

Near the park

Carnarvon

Full range of motels, caravan parks and supermarkets, 470 km away; stock up here.Full range of motels, caravan parks and supermarkets, 292 mi away; stock up here.

Safety

Heat and dehydration high

Walk only in the early morning from October to March; carry 4 litres per person per day and turn back if you run low.

Remote roads and breakdowns high

Take a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle, two spare tyres, extra fuel and water, and tell someone your route. Phone coverage is patchy to absent.

Flooded or closed roads medium

After any rain, check road conditions with the shire or Main Roads before setting out; unsealed sections become impassable.

Wildlife on the road medium

Avoid driving at dawn and dusk; kangaroos and cattle stray onto the road.

Accessibility

The day-use area, toilets and the first section of the base trail are reachable by car with short, level walks.
The full base loop and the summit route are rough, stony and steep; not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins beyond the day-use area.
Stay on the marked trail around the rock to protect soil crusts and vegetation.
Do not geotag or publicise rock art locations; keep the panels undisturbed.
Buy fuel and supplies in Gascoyne Junction or Carnarvon so the trip supports the local economy.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Mount Augustus National Park?

Nothing. There is no entry fee for this park and no ticket booth; you drive in and park at the day-use area. Costs are fuel, food and accommodation, with unpowered sites at the tourist park outside the boundary from about A$20–45 a night (2026 estimate).

What are the best hikes in Mount Augustus National Park?

The 12 km base trail around the rock (4–6 h, moderate) passes the rock art and is the classic walk. The summit route (3–4 h return, hard) is steep and loose but gives the widest view. Both start near the day-use area; start at first light in warm months.

When is the best time to visit Mount Augustus National Park?

May to September. Days are mild and dry, nights can drop near freezing in July, and wildflowers appear after good winter rain. Avoid December to March, when daytime temperatures pass 40 °C and walking is unsafe.

Can I camp in the park?

No. Camping is not allowed inside Mount Augustus National Park and there is no campground. The nearest option is the Mount Augustus Outback Tourist Park just outside the boundary, with powered and unpowered sites and rooms.

Do I need a 4WD to get there?

A high-clearance vehicle is the minimum; a 4WD is safer, especially after rain. The approach roads from Carnarvon and Meekatharra are largely unsealed and can be closed by flooding. Carry two spare tyres, extra fuel and plenty of water.

Is Mount Augustus really bigger than Uluru?

It is a monocline, not a single free-standing boulder, and it covers roughly twice the area of Uluru and rises about 715 m above the plain. The 'world's largest monolith' line is marketing; the size and the quiet are the real reasons to come.

Deep dive

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