Coastal campgrounds (Park Stay WA)
Last reviewed · verify live conditions with Explore Parks WA / DBCA
Official bookable campgrounds along the Cape Range coast — Kurrajong/North Kurrajong, Osprey Bay, Yardie Creek, Neds Camp, Mesa, One K/Boat Harbour, Bungarra, North Mandu, Tulki Beach and others. Notices checked 8 Oct 2026 do not list a 1 November low-season close; they say book now for stays departing on or before Thursday 1 April 2027. Book only via Park Stay WA. Self-sufficiency is mandatory.
- Best for: Self-sufficient campers, multi-day snorkel + walk trips, peak-season planners who book early
- Time: 1–14+ nights depending on official max-stay rules for your dates
- Campgrounds sit along the coastal corridor at different distances from Exmouth. Some sites are 4WD or restricted — check each Explore Parks / Park Stay site page. Official max stay: 14 nights if any night is a WA public school holiday, otherwise 28 nights (re-check when booking).
Verify conditions on Explore Parks WA → · Park alerts
Book only through Park Stay WA
Camping is per official DBCA processes on parkstay.dbca.wa.gov.au. Official camp pages state a per person camping fee plus per vehicle park entry. Drinking water is not provided at typical coastal camps; pit toilets only. This website never takes camping bookings or commissions on park camping.
Facilities are basic: toilets at many sites, no power, limited/no drinking water. Bring everything you need.
Self-sufficiency is not optional
Recovery gear, water, shade, food, and a cyclone/heat plan matter more than aesthetics. Mobile coverage is patchy. Consider how you would handle a breakdown between Exmouth and Yardie Creek.
Western Shield 1080 baiting occurs in the park — relevant if travelling with dogs outside the park boundary rules (dogs are not allowed in the national park).
Choosing a campground without influencer FOMO
Compare official Park Stay WA notes for each site: vehicle type, proximity to snorkel nodes versus Yardie, and any temporary closures. “Best camp” is availability plus your vehicle, not a viral ranking.
Pack water for drinking, cooking and heat. Soft rubbish discipline and quiet hours keep coastal camps livable for everyone. Western Shield 1080 baiting occurs in the park — dogs are not allowed in the national park.
Multi-night stays need a cyclone/heat plan in season and a realistic exit if alerts deteriorate. Screenshot bookings offline before you leave town services.
Highlights at a glance
- Multiple official coastal campgrounds
- Park Stay WA booking only
- Dawn access to beaches and walks
- Stars over arid coast when weather clears
Practical tips
- Book early for April–October peaks and school holidays.
- Carry more water than you think for camp cooking and heat.
- Soft-waste discipline — take rubbish out.
- Check alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au before and during multi-night stays.
- Book peak dates months ahead when possible.
- Carry more drinking water than one-day snorkel trips need.
- Pack a headlamp and recovery mindset for night arrivals.
Facilities & services
- Toilets at many campgrounds (verify per site)
- No power
- Drinking water not provided at typical coastal camps (official site notes) — self-supply
- No fuel inside the park
Confirm toilets, parking and open facilities on the day via official sources and on-site signage.
Walks & lookouts nearby
Grades, times and open/closed status change — open each guide and verify on Explore Parks WA / DBCA before you go.
Turquoise Bay
easyTurquoise Bay is the high-volume shore-snorkel icon adjoining Cape Range / Ningaloo Coast. Easy land access hides real ocean hazards: currents, sun, and overcrowding at peak times. Not a “walk” in the bushwalking sense — listed so planners can link reef time with gorge days honestly.
- Grade
- Beach access — ocean and current hazards, not a mountain grade
- Time
- 2–4+ hours for a snorkel session including rest
- Distance
- Short walk from car park to beach [VERIFY]
View guide →
Yardie Gorge
easyShort gorge-rim and nature-walk options around Yardie Creek — high reward limestone and creek-mouth scenery with lower commitment than Mandu Mandu. Still arid, still hot, still needs water and sun discipline. Optional boat tours on the creek are a separate commercial activity when operating.
- Grade
- Short gorge-rim options — verify class on-site and officially
- Time
- 45 minutes–2 hours depending on which signed sections you take
- Distance
- About 2 km scale for rim/nature options [VERIFY exact official figures]
View guide →
Mandu Mandu
moderateThe signature Cape Range walk: Explore Parks WA describes a Class 4, 3 km return trail along a rocky creek bed into the gorge with a steep climb to the rim. Steep sections, little shade and extreme summer heat make this a cool-season mission only — not a midday December stroll.
- Grade
- Class 4 (Explore Parks WA) — moderately difficult; steep sections, rough surface
- Time
- About 1–3 hours (TrailsWA); allow up to ~2 hours as a planning baseline
- Distance
- 3 km return / loop (Explore Parks WA + TrailsWA)
View guide →
Itineraries that use this area
Map
Orientation only — confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.
Interactive map — pin may be approximate. Confirm trailheads and road status before you drive.
FAQ — Camping
Tap a question to expand the answer.
Which campground is best?
There is no single best site — it depends on snorkel vs walk focus, vehicle type and availability. Compare official Park Stay WA site notes for each campground. Osprey, Kurrajong cluster, Yardie Creek and others each trade access and character. Verify open/closed status including any post-cyclone restrictions.
Is generator use allowed?
Generator and quiet-hour rules are official site matters. Confirm on Park Stay WA / on-site rules for your campground — do not assume free use.
Stays near Camping (optional)
Optional next steps after you plan this area. Kit on the gear hub; tours on the tours hub. Park entry fees and Park Stay WA bookings are never affiliated.
Nearby stays
Exmouth (primary) · Cape Range Coral Bay area · Newman
- Hotels & apartments in ExmouthPrimary services hub for fuel, food and Cape Range day trips
- Coral Bay accommodationSecondary base further south on the Ningaloo Coast
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Some stay, tour and gear links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. All Booking.com links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Park entry fees and Park Stay WA camping bookings are never affiliated. Affiliate disclosure · Privacy