Cape Range National Park

Park Karst-lined national park near Ningaloo Reef

Limestone ranges and deep canyons west of Exmouth in Western Australia; visitors hike Yardie Creek, camp in gorges and combine trips with Ningaloo Reef snorkeling and whale-shark excursions.

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Cape Range National Park is a protected area on the North West Cape of Western Australia, characterised by a rugged limestone range that runs parallel to the coastline and adjacent to the Ningaloo Reef. The park protects steep gorges, karst features and arid shrubland on the peninsula.

The park’s landscape includes deep limestone gorges, coastal escarpments and arid plains; ranges in the park rise to around 300 metres above sea level. It is known for terrestrial wildlife, cave systems and immediate proximity to the fringing coral reef, which supports rich marine biodiversity.

The area is managed for conservation and recreation, with walking trails, lookouts and riverine gorges offering opportunities for short hikes and wildlife viewing. Many visitors combine park visits with snorkeling or diving on Ningaloo Reef from the nearby coastal town.

Cape Range National Park lies on the North West Cape of Western Australia and borders the Ningaloo Marine Park; the small town of Exmouth on the peninsula serves as the main gateway for the area.

  • Topography and reef adjacency: The limestone range rises to heights of roughly 300 metres and sits immediately adjacent to the Ningaloo Reef marine environment.
  • Access point: Access is commonly via the nearby town of Exmouth, which serves as the principal gateway for visitors to the park and Ningaloo Reef.
Cape Range National Park
Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia
-22.0696, 113.9779
Open 24/7
Park entry free; camping and day‑use permits and campsite fees apply

How to Get to Cape Range National Park #

Cape Range National Park is accessed from the town of Exmouth, Western Australia. From Exmouth drive south on Ningaloo Drive (the main access road) into the park - the park entrance and popular sites are within a short drive (tens of kilometres) of Exmouth. From Perth, Exmouth is a long drive north on the North West Coastal Highway (over 1,000 km) or reachable by regular regional flights to Exmouth.

Tips for Visiting Cape Range National Park #

  • Use Exmouth as your base and arrive at Cape Range National Park early in the morning to enjoy Yardie Creek, Vlamingh Head lighthouse and Turquoise Bay in cooler, quieter conditions.
  • Don't miss Turquoise Bay's drift-snorkel stretch and the inland Mandu Mandu Gorge walk-these are park highlights that many day visitors skip in favor of short beach stops.
  • Time snorkel trips to coincide with calmer sea conditions (local operators out of Exmouth can advise); explore quieter side roads and lookouts rather than the main carparks to avoid peak crowds.

Best Time to Visit Cape Range National Park #

The best time for Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef is the dry season (April-October) for comfortable conditions and good marine visibility.

Dry season (best time)
April-October · ~18-30°C
Warm days, low humidity and calm seas - ideal for snorkeling/diving on Ningaloo Reef, hiking and camping in the park.
Wet/hot season
November-March · ~25-38°C
Hot, humid conditions with thunderstorms, cyclone risk in the summer months and increased marine stinger (jellyfish) risk - many outdoor activities are less comfortable or seasonal.

Weather & Climate near Cape Range National Park #

Climate

Cape Range National Park's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in February) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 11°C to 36°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 21°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

29°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
21° 36°

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is the hottest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).

Comfort

29°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
23° 35°

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is hot with highs of 34°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
22° 34°

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
20° 32°

Weather

22 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with 51 mm of rain.

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 27°

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 22°

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
12° 24°

Weather

17 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain.

Comfort

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

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 3 mm.

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
15° 30°

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 3 mm.

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
17° 32°

Weather

3 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
19° 35°

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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