Exmouth leads the way to wildflower-filled canyons, white-sand beaches, and dazzling marine life.
Sun-bleached sands and kaleidoscopic coral reefs fringe the shores of Western Australia’s Coral Coast, and the small town of Exmouth makes a popular base for exploring. Perched on the eastern shore of the North West Cape, Exmouth has rugged caves and canyons, white-sand beaches, and Insta-worthy sunsets right on its doorstep. Campers are spoiled for choice, whether you prefer to pitch a tent or park your campervan at one of the national park campsites, many just a short walk from the beach, or check into a holiday resort or caravan park with powered sites, wifi, and a swimming pool.
The wild northern tip of the North West Cape is often overlooked by travellers heading to Cape Range National Park. It’s easily explored from Exmouth, stopping to snorkel or kayak at Bundegi Beach, spot turtles at Jurabi Coastal Park, or dive the Mildura Wreck. Campers can stay at Exmouth on the Exmouth Gulf coast or at Yardie Creek Station on the Coral Bay coast.
On the western shore of the North West Cape, the Cape Range National Park encompasses some of the cape’s most spectacular landscapes. Follow scenic walking trails and 4WD tracks through rocky canyons, take a cruise along Yardie Creek, and admire wildflower-filled valleys, then head to the coast to swim with whale sharks and snorkel in the Ningaloo Marine Park. There are ten campgrounds to choose from, with unpowered sites and space for motorhomes, caravans, and camper trailers, plus eco-tent rentals.
Western Australia’s version of the Great Barrier Reef is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef which stretches for more than 200 km from Coral Bay in the south all the way along the North West Cape. World-class snorkelling and scuba diving awaits adventurers along the Coral Coast, with the chance to spot diverse marine life, including whale sharks, turtles, manta rays, and several rare species.
Summers along the Coral Coast can be hot, humid, and plagued with bush flies—temperatures can climb as high as 45°C in December and January. A more pleasant time to explore is during the cooler months of April through October. Not only is the weather more suited for hiking and outdoor activities—daytime temperatures average 25°C—but you can time your visit for wildflower season (June through August) and whale shark season (March through August).