If you follow the coastline north beyond Carnarvon, trace the edge of the Ningaloo Reef, and press further past Exmouth, you’ll eventually arrive at Cape Range National Park, a limestone spine of gorges, canyons, beaches, and wilderness.
This is a park shaped by time, erosion, and extremes. For travellers who seek out landscapes that hold their own rhythm, Cape Range offers space to move and room to think. It’s a key destination on Proudback’s Outback Adventurer route, and one of the most rewarding stops on any inland-to-coast 4WD journey.
From pastoral land to protected reserve
The story of Cape Range is older than maps. This part of the North West Cape peninsula has long been home to the Thalanyji people, who lived between the reef and the range for thousands of years. In the late 19th century, European settlers arrived and established pastoral leases, running livestock on land that was, even then, hard country.
By the 1960s, concerns about environmental degradation and the unique geology of the area led to formal protection. Cape Range National Park was declared in 1964. Today, it forms part of the broader Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, alongside its marine counterpart, Ningaloo Marine Park.
What to expect when you arrive
Covering over 47,000 hectares, the park stretches along the west side of the peninsula, facing the open Indian Ocean. The terrain is stark and sculpted—rugged limestone ridges rise over deep gullies and narrow gorges, flanked by spinifex and hardy desert shrubs.
Visitors will find several points of interest:
- Yardie Creek Gorge, where red cliffs frame permanent saltwater fed by tides and shaded by mangroves.
- Mandu Mandu Gorge, a dry riverbed walk that offers sweeping views from its upper ridge.
- Charles Knife and Shothole Canyons, best accessed from the eastern side, with lookout points into dramatic escarpments.
- Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, which stands at the tip of the range overlooking the reef.
Wildlife is part of the experience. Euros (hill kangaroos), emus, echidnas, black-flanked rock wallabies, and over 100 bird species move through the area. In the right season, the desert wildflowers emerge—spindly, defiant bursts of colour across dry soil.
Activities and conditions
Walking and hiking are a major drawcard. Several short to medium-length trails allow for deeper access into the gorges, most of which require moderate fitness. Yardie Creek offers boat tours for those wanting a different vantage point without the climb.
Camping is permitted at certain sites, including Tulki, Neds, Osprey, Mesa, and Yardie Creek campgrounds. Facilities are basic—drop toilets and limited water—but the settings are extraordinary. Expect to fall asleep with the ocean nearby and wake to the low shuffle of kangaroos.
Some sections of the park are accessible by 2WD vehicles, but exploring the more remote reaches requires a 4WD. Conditions vary depending on weather, especially during the wet season. Travellers should check local updates, bring sufficient fuel and water, and allow time for detours.
Included in the Proudback Itinerary
Cape Range National Park is featured right in the middle of Proudback’s Outback Adventurer, a guided 12-day journey that begins in Perth and ends on the coast. After travelling through inland station country and the Murchison, the tour transitions toward Ningaloo, with time allocated to explore the park at ground level.
As part of the tour, guests spend time in Yardie Creek Gorge and surrounding trails, guided by those familiar with the terrain and the stories that shape it. The route allows for walking, swimming, sunset viewing, and evenings under a sky unspoiled by artificial light.
This is part of what makes Proudback’s guided self-drive 4WD tours through Cape Range National Park different from doing it alone. You drive your own vehicle in convoy. Fully equipped, supported, and briefed at every step, but without the need to manage logistics, permits, or safety concerns in isolation.
It’s a balance between freedom and access. For those who want to experience Cape Range beyond the turnouts and carparks, it makes all the difference.
Planning your visit
Cape Range is open year-round, though the dry season (April to October) is ideal. Temperatures are more comfortable, wildflowers are often visible, and wildlife more active. Camping sites must be booked through WA Parks in advance—many fill months ahead.
Travellers not joining a guided tour should ensure their vehicle is capable of handling gravel and coastal track conditions. Entry fees apply, and there are multi-park passes available for extended trips.
Why Cape Range deserves a place on your itinerary
Some landscapes leave an impression that isn’t easy to summarise. Cape Range National Park does that. It holds its place on the edge of the reef with quiet confidence—raw, weathered, and full of life that has adapted to extremes.
For anyone seeking out nature that still feels unscripted, it is one of the most rewarding places in Western Australia.
Ready to explore Cape Range with the support and freedom of a guided experience? Join Proudback’s Outback Adventurer and discover what it means to drive your own journey—without leaving the essentials behind.