Explore the natural wonders of this World Heritage area known as Warnangura in the Baiyungu language. It is located on the western edge of the North West Cape Peninsula. An adventurer’s playground with ancient gorges, a rugged limestone range, arid coastal plains and surrounded by 50kms of immaculate beaches that connect to the turquoise waters of the Ningaloo Marine Park. You can go on a guided 4x4 Ningaloo Reef to Range tour departing from Exmouth.
Cape Range National Park is located 36 kilometres from Exmouth and 1055 kilometres north of Perth. Most places in the park are 2wd accessible, so a 4wd is not essential, however, to cross Yardie Creek you will need a 4wd. You can also fly into Learmouth from Perth and hire a car from Exmouth if you would like to save time driving.
Cape Range is rich and diverse with an array of wildlife including kangaroos, emus, echidnas, birds and black-flanked rock wallabies. The park showcases a variety of attractions including hiking trails and the wildflower viewing areas at Yardie Creek Gorge, Mandu Mandu, Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Canyon. Over 630 species of flowers have been found in the Cape Range National Park including the white centred Sturts Desert Pea and the elusive Green Bird Flower.
Turquoise Bay, Cape Range National Park. Image By Tourism WA
Mangrove Bay is a sanctuary zone area that overlooks a lagoon area. At high tide, a number of birds can be spotted in the lagoon feeding on small marine life. You may also spot an osprey or an eagle flying above. If you have a 4wd, a trip down Shothole Canyon Road is highly recommended. The Canyon got its name after the shot holes left by the explosive charges that were detonated in the 1950s to trigger miniature earthquakes in the search for oil. The track is rough and gravel but takes you through the gorge floor to see the exquisite rock layers of the canyon walls, so is a must-see.
If you would like a guide on your travels, Eco Adventure Tours will take you on an informative Ningaloo in a Day Tour visiting Yardie Creek, or Ningaloo Safari Tours have a small variety of day tours available that explore Cape Range National Park. Camping in Cape Range is very popular, the eleven campgrounds along the Cape Range coast are in very high demand from April to October.
It is important to note that walls in the canyon areas are steep and can be dangerous, so caution must be taken and please travel with a friend. Please always remain on existing walking trails and avoid walking in the middle of the day.
Region: Coral Coast
Nearest town: Exmouth, 51.4km
Established: 1965
Area: 476.55km2
Highlights: Yardie Creek, Turquoise Bay, Charles Knife Canyon, Shothole Canyon, Oyster Stacks
Experiences: Canoeing/Kayaking, Camping, Fishing, Diving, Swimming, Walking, Hiking