How camping on the Ningaloo coast works now
Camping on the Ningaloo coast is booked online through Park Stay. Sites are released once a month, on the first Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. AWST. The general rolling 180-day rule that applies to many other parks does not apply here, so do not use it for planning.
The former station campgrounds on the coast are listed as Nyinggulara National Park (ex-Ningaloo). They are closed after Cyclone Narelle and no reopening date is given. Old advice about booking a spot on Ningaloo Station is out of date.
The monthly booking release
The park authority's September 2026 guide lists release dates up to October 2027.
| Stay period | Release |
|---|---|
| April 2027 | 6 October 2026 |
| May 2027 | 3 November 2026 |
| June 2027 | 1 December 2026 |
Booking periods can differ from calendar months because of weekends and school holidays. Read the guide before release day.
Stay limits
You can stay at most 14 nights in the park if one of the nights falls in the Western Australian school holidays. Otherwise the limit is 28 nights.
Your account
The person who actually camps needs their own customer account. You cannot hold several sites for the same day in your own account.
The online queue
On release day the website closes from midnight. At 10:00 a.m. any existing queue is cleared and everyone is placed in a new random order. Joining early does not improve your place.
Booking help at the park
Milyering Discovery Centre has self-service devices for the booking portal. Outside opening hours there is a Wi-Fi hotspot that gives access to it. The centre opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and is closed on Christmas Day.
Park guide →Tours to book from your campsite
Reef, whale and canyon trips around Exmouth, with live prices and availability.
Fees and rules: Osprey Bay as an example
Osprey Bay has published fees. Other sites can differ.
| Item | Amount in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adult, per person per night | A$15 |
| Concession, per person per night | A$10 |
| Child, per person per night | A$5 |
| Booking fee | None |
| Park entry, vehicle with up to 12 people | A$17 (A$10 concession), updated 20 August 2026 |
| Annual All Parks Pass | A$130 for 12 months, a private vehicle with up to 12 legally seated people |
The nightly fee is per person, not per site. Vehicle entry is charged on top. On a continuous camping stay you pay entry on the first day only and can re-enter during the stay without another entry fee.
What the campground offers
The sites are unpowered. There are dry toilets. Campfires are not allowed and dogs are not allowed.
Generators and waste
Generators are allowed on designated sites only, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Do not empty toilet waste into the campground toilets.
Tour pickups
One boat operator does not collect guests from the park campgrounds. You meet the boat at the Tantabiddi Boat Ramp. Ask each operator about pickup before you book.
Tour guide →Snorkelling near Lakeside
The Lakeside snorkel area is about 500 m south along the beach, between the beach and the yellow buoys. All marine life there is protected, so look but do not touch. Currents are possible, and flooding can follow heavy rain or very high spring tides.
Snorkelling guide →The station coast: what is closed
Status on the park authority's page in October 2026.
Which sites
Nyinggulara National Park (ex-Ningaloo) includes Janes Bay, North Lefroy, Point Billie, South Lefroy and Winderabandi. All campgrounds there are closed after the cyclone and the page gives no reopening date.
Why it matters
The campgrounds have to be rebuilt in full. A damaged radio tower also means there is no emergency communication in the area.
14 Mile
Sites 12 to 28 at 14 Mile are heavily damaged, and the whole site is due to close for works from 29 October 2026.
Rules for a later reopening
When these sites open again, expect no drinking water and no toilets. You would need a portable, approved, closed toilet. Dogs are allowed only in designated areas and on a leash, and private ATVs without approval are not allowed. These rules do not mean the sites are open now.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that fit a camping trip.
Cape Range National Park
Entry fees, passes and the Milyering Discovery Centre.
Weather and best time
Temperatures, cyclone season and when animals are around.
Exmouth accommodation
Town, marina or park, if you prefer a bed.
Camping at the southern end of the reef is a different booking. See Coral Bay for caravan parks and camping there.
Ningaloo camping: frequently asked questions
How do I book a campsite in Cape Range National Park?
Online through Park Stay only. Sites are released monthly on the first Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. AWST. Milyering Discovery Centre offers self-service devices and an out-of-hours Wi-Fi hotspot for the portal.
Is there a 180-day booking window?
Not for Ningaloo camping. The general daily 180-day rule does not apply here. Use the monthly release dates instead.
How long can I stay?
At most 14 nights if any night falls in the Western Australian school holidays, otherwise 28 nights.
Can I camp on the old Ningaloo Station sites?
Not now. The campgrounds in Nyinggulara National Park (ex-Ningaloo) are closed after Cyclone Narelle and no reopening date is given.
Do I pay park entry on top of the camping fee?
Yes. The camping fee is separate. On a continuous stay you pay vehicle entry on the first day only.