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.
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.
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.
Weather & Climate near Cape Range National Park #
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.
January
January is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 21°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is the hottest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
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March
March is hot with highs of 34°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with 51 mm of rain.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain.
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October
October is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 3 mm.
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November
November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 3 mm.
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December
December is warm with highs of 34°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall.