The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Exmouth and Surrounds

If you want to discover the Ningaloo Reef, the longest fringing reef in the world, there’s nothing like camping right on the beach near Exmouth.

We acknowledge that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Jinigudera people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Falling asleep to the sounds of waves lapping at ocean worn pebbles is pure bliss. But if you’re after a few more creature comforts, there are also a range of accommodation options to be found in Exmouth itself.

When we talk about ‘Exmouth’, we really mean the North West Cape, from where the road to Exmouth turns left off North West Coastal Highway, north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

The area includes the town of Exmouth, the hamlet of Coral Bay, national and marine parks and recently reclaimed stations. All have camping options available, from self-sufficient to luxury glamping.

Of course the star of the show is Ningaloo Reef, where you can experience white beaches, drift snorkeling over pristine coral, and spot whale sharks and manta rays.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Here are the best spots to camp at Exmouth and surrounds.

1. Town of Exmouth

There are two caravan parks in Exmouth to choose from if you like being close to shops, pubs, and other facilities.

RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park 

Cost per night: Unpowered campsites from $54  Powered camp and caravan sites from $65
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: Showers, toilets, power, good phone reception, BBQs, pet-friendly

The caravan parks in town are great if you like being in the centre of town, close to all the amenities.

This park also has a section for people who travel with their pups, however dogs can’t go into the Cape Range National Park. If you like early morning walks or a dip in the ocean, the Town Beach is only a 25 minute walk from the park.

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Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort 

Cost per night: Unpowered campsites are $50 for two people. Powered camp sites $65
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: Showers, toilets, power, good phone reception, BBQs

This resort  is about a ten minute walk to Town Beach and only 1km from the middle of town. Both parks feature swimming pools, playgrounds, shops, and cafes.

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Yardie Homestead Caravan Park  

Cost per night: $45 for two people
Location: Yardie Creek Road via Exmouth
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: Showers, toilets, power, Telstra coverage only, BBQs, and pet friendly

At 32km from Exmouth on the western side of the cape, you’re only minutes from the entry to the Cape Range National Park.

Despite being more isolated, there’s a shop, cafe, and plenty of other resort style facilities.

Yardie Homestead is the closest caravan park to the northern aspect of Ningaloo Reef, so if you like the facilities of a caravan park but also being out of town, this is the best option. 

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2. Cape Range National Park Glamping

Sal Salis

Cost per night: $895 per person from in low season to $1,145 in high season and a minimum two night stay 
Suitable for: Glamping on the beach
Facilities: Showers, toilets, restaurant

Sal Salis is situated in Cape Range National Park off Yardie Creek Road in its own private area.

Image thanks to Sal Salis

All food and drinks are included plus there’s water sport equipment for snorkelling and kayaking available.

It’s remote, so there isn’t any phone coverage. Power is solar and power outlets are in the communal area. It’s a true luxe and detox experience!

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3. Cape Range National Park

Cost per night: $11 per adult
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: Drop toilets, no dogs, no fires

• Osprey Bay Campground
• Yardie Creek Campground
• Kurrajong Campground 
• Neds Campground
• North Mandu Campground
• Bungarra Campground
• Mesa Campground
• One K Campground
• Boat Harbour Campground
• North Kurrajong Campground

Cape Range National Park north of Yardie Creek has a series of small campgrounds with direct access to spectacular snorkelling right off the beach.

No need to get in a boat, just wade into the aqua water. You need to book online before getting there and in winter, book earlier. Bookings open 180 days in advance. School holidays are hectically busy. 

My pick for campsites is Osprey Bay and North Mandu for their snorkelling so close to the campsite.

We love being able to come back to these campsites after a day of exploring and watch the sun dip below the horizon, a glass of wine in hand. 

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Read More: Road Tripping WA’s Coral Coast From Desert to Reef

4. Nyinggulara (Ningaloo) National Park

Cost per night: $8 per adult
Suitable for: 4WDs with tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: None, dog friendly, campfires in allocated firepits

• Winderabandi Campground
• North Lefroy Campground
• Janes Bay Campground
• Point Billie Campground
• South Lefroy Bay Campground

Ningaloo Station was run by the Lefroy family until a year or two ago when the 99-year lease ended and the Department of Parks and Wildlife took it over.

It was named after the local Indigenous word Nyinggulu. Camping here is more basic. The road is rough – 4WD rough.

There are no facilities, so you have to take a chemical toilet with you. Like Cape Range National Park, you need to book via the Park Stay WA website. Although now a national park, dogs on leads are allowed. 

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5. Cardabia Station

Cost per Night: $15 per adult
Suitable for: Camping
Facilities: bins provided, chemical toilet dump point

Between Coral Bay and Nyinggula (Ningaloo Station) is Bruboodjoo Campground on Cardabia Station and it’s the only long term camp on the Ningaloo Reef.

Image thanks to Cardabia Station

This is rustic camping at its best with fishing and connecting with nature right on your doorstep. You must bring your own chemical toilet.

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6. Coral Bay

Coral Bay has two caravan parks, and both are close to the beach.

Bayview Caravan Park 

Cost per night: Unpowered site is $53 for two people in the high season 
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: Showers, toilets, power, good phone reception, BBQs

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Peoples Park Coral Bay

Cost per night: $60 for a powered site. Unpowered sites are limited 
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: Showers, toilets, power, good phone reception, BBQs

Coral Bay is a pure tourism hamlet hugging a white sandy beach and coral reef. It gets ridiculously busy during the school holidays, so you need to book in advance.

The reef based activities are the main purpose for being there. It’s a peaceful protected beach perfect for kids. 

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7. Warroora – Nyinggulu Coastal Reserves 

Cost per night: From $10
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: None, dog friendly, campfires in allocated firepits 

• 14 Mile
• Amherst Point Campground
• Stevens Campground
• Elles Beach Campground
• Lagoon Campground
• Sandy Point Campground
• Black Moon Cliff Campground
• Maggies Campground
• The Ridge Campground
• Nicks Campground

Warroora Station (like Ningaloo Station) was a sheep station under a 99-year lease that developed tourism with beachside camping.

Image thanks to Warroora station

When the lease was up, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA) took over the coastal camping aspect and now run it along with the Gnulli Native Title holders.

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Warroora Homestead Campground

Cost per night: Unpowered site from $34 
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs 
Facilities: No power, basic camp kitchen, shower and toilet 

Although the beachside campgrounds are managed by Parks and Wildlife, the Warroora Homestead is still run by the people who had the lease. Located 1.5km from the beach, the area has abundant wildlife. As well as unpowered camping, there are an assortment of accommodation options.

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8. Bullara Station 

Cost per night: $32 unpowered, $48 powered
Suitable for: Tents, motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs
Facilities: Showers, toilets, power, camp kitchen, meal nights  

Bullara Station is another nice place to go camping in the Exmouth region.

Although not on the water, it’s an atmospheric ‘station stay’ with facilities like a café, bar, communal fire pits, and other accommodation options. It’s on the North West Cape and 91km from Exmouth.

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FAQs Camping in Exmouth

How far is Exmouth from Perth?

Exmouth is 1,250km north of Perth on North West Coastal Highway and Minilya Exmouth Road.

How do I get to Exmouth to go camping?

By car 

It’s a long drive from Exmouth from Perth, we usually take two days at least. It’s handy having a car in Exmouth to get to Ningaloo Reef. If going to the stations, a 4WD is needed.

By air

Flights from Perth and Melbourne (in season) arrive at Learmonth Airport 36km south of Exmouth. There are shuttle buses to take you from the airport to Exmouth.

What’s the best time to visit Exmouth and Ningaloo?

The best time to visit Exmouth and the Ningaloo region is from March to October. September and October can be very windy and summer is incredibly hot!

Is there free camping near Exmouth?

There’s no free camping in the North West Cape.

Can I camp on the beach near Ningaloo Reef?

There are many campsites right on the beach in Cape Range National Park, Nyinggulara (Ningaloo) National Park, and Warroora-Nyinggulu Coastal Reserves. You need to book through the Park Stay website.

Can I camp at Turquoise Bay?

Turquoise Bay is a day use only location and one of the best snorkelling sites on Ningaloo Reef.

Can I take my dog camping to Exmouth?

Some places take dogs on leashes. Dogs aren’t allowed in Cape Range National Park but can go to Nyinggulara (Ningaloo) National Park and Warroora-Nyinggulu Coastal Reserves. RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park has a dog friendly area.

What to take with you camping at Exmouth?

Other than when in town at Exmouth or Coral Bay, you’ll need to be self-sufficient with food, water, and in some cases, toilet. Make sure you have a mask and snorkel and some swim fins to explore the colourful coral reef, right off the beach.

Feature image thanks to Sal Salis.