Cape Arid National Park Park

Western Australian coastal park with beaches and wildlife

East of Esperance, this Western Australia park protects coastal dunes, granite headlands and heathland; visitors camp, bushwalk the Cape Arid Track, and look for kangaroos, seabirds and quiet beaches.

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Cape Arid National Park at a Glance#

Address: Cape Arid National Park, near Israelite Bay, Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia, Australia

Website: https://parks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/cape-arid

Hours: Open 24/7 (visitor facilities seasonal)

Admission: Park entry free; camping and permits have fees

How to Get to Cape Arid National Park#

Cape Arid National Park lies on the south coast of Western Australia east of Esperance. The park is reached by road from Esperance (the nearest major town) - driving distance is roughly 140 km east of Esperance (about 2 hours) via the South Coast Highway (National Route 1) and then turning onto unsealed park access tracks.

Expect long unsealed roads within the park; a high‑clearance 4WD is recommended, and you should use designated trailheads and campsites as services are limited.

Tips for Visiting Cape Arid National Park#

  • Treat Cape Arid as remote country: many park tracks are rough and need a high‑clearance 4WD, so check road conditions and closures with the Parks and Wildlife Service in Esperance before setting out.
  • Plan a spring visit (September-October) if you want the best wildflower displays; outside that window the park is much quieter but still very remote, so carry plans for self‑reliant camping and allow extra travel time after rain when tracks can become impassable.
  • If you intend to explore beaches or tidal areas, check local tide times and avoid driving/park­ing on soft sand at high tide - ranger advice from Esperance will give the most current safety information.

Best Time to Visit Cape Arid National Park#

Spring (September-November) is often the best time to visit for mild weather and wildflower displays.

Spring (wildflower season)
Sep-Nov · 12-25°C
Mild temperatures and wildflowers in bloom-one of the most attractive times to explore the park.
Summer
Dec-Feb · 18-35°C
Hotter and drier-good for beach and coastal activities but heat can be intense on inland trails.
Winter
Jun-Aug · 8-18°C
Cooler and wetter with more comfortable temperatures for walking; some tracks may be muddy.

Weather & Climate near Cape Arid National Park#

Climate

Cape Arid National Park's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 5°C to 28°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 29°

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
14° 28°

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 26°

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 24°

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
17°

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with 59 mm of rain.

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
20°

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
23°

Weather

38 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
10° 25°

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 23 mm.

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 27°

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze