Charles Knife Canyon in short
The turn-off for Charles Knife is about 22 km, or 20 minutes, south of Exmouth. The road is a winding mountain road, and on the gravel section the park agency recommends four-wheel drive. Caravans and trailers are not recommended, because there is little room to turn around. Allow time for slow driving and photo stops, and do not plan the road as a shortcut to anywhere.
Shothole Canyon is the other canyon drive in the Cape Range. This page covers both, with the access position for Shothole in its own section below.
Charles Knife and Shothole side by side
What is published for each canyon drive.
| Point | Charles Knife | Shothole Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Turn-off about 22 km south of Exmouth | In Cape Range National Park |
| Road | Winding mountain road, gravel section with 4WD recommended | Check the current road description before you go |
| Caravans and trailers | Not recommended, limited turning room | – |
| Reported status | Open in an operator's update of 10 August 2026 | Closed in the same update |
| Walk | Badjirrajirra, Class 4 | – |
The status line comes from a tour operator's conditions page dated 10 August 2026. It is not an official real-time notice. Check the current position before you drive out.
Charles Knife, Shothole and Cape Range tours
Guided canyon drives and park days from Exmouth, with current prices and availability.
The Badjirrajirra walk
The park agency describes the Badjirrajirra walk as Class 4, 6 km long and about 3 hours. The visitor centre in Exmouth gives 8 km for the same walk. The sources disagree, so plan for the longer figure and allow generous time. Class 4 means a rough, steep track, so wear proper walking shoes and take more water than you think you need.
The best hours for walking are the cooler ones. The park overview recommends walking only from April to September. From November to March, the park agency warns of temperatures above 45 °C, little shade and no water. Carry at least 4 litres per person, and stay back from cliff edges on the canyon rims.
Shothole Canyon: access updates
A tour operator's conditions page, updated on 10 August 2026, listed Charles Knife as open and Shothole Canyon as closed. No official reopening date is attached to that update. The operator's page is also not a live feed, so the position may have changed since. Check the park agency's alerts before you drive out, and do not plan a day around Shothole until you have confirmed it.
If Shothole is closed, the Charles Knife road still gives you canyon views, and the rest of the park is a short drive away. See the Cape Range National Park page for gorges and beaches, or Yardie Creek for a walk and a boat tour.
Fees and what to bring
Two park pages disagree, so plan for the higher cost.
Entry fee
The Cape Range overview says there is no park entry fee for either canyon drive. The Charles Knife page and the Shothole listing show the standard park fee. Do not count on free entry. In 2026 the standard fee is A$17 per vehicle with up to 12 people, A$10 reduced.
Vehicle
The gravel section on the Charles Knife road is where 4WD is recommended. Do not tow a caravan or trailer up the road.
Water and shade
Expect little shade. Carry at least 4 litres per person, a hat and sun protection, and fill the tank before you leave town.
Timing
Choose a cooler time of day. Learmonth Airport averages a daily high of 38.1 °C in January and 24.5 °C in July. The weather page has every month.
Driving the road and choosing your day
The Charles Knife road climbs from the main road as a winding mountain road, so take it slowly and give way on the bends. The gravel section is where the park agency recommends four-wheel drive, and the lack of turning room is the reason it advises against caravans and trailers. Leave anything you tow in Exmouth.
Choose a day when the temperature suits a walk. Cooler months and cooler hours make the canyon rim far more comfortable, and the cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30 April. Cyclone Narelle struck this coast in 2026, so check the current position of any park road before you set out, and confirm your accommodation in town. If you prefer not to drive the gravel yourself, guided canyon trips run from Exmouth. Check what is included before you book.
Plan the rest of the day
Places that fit with a canyon drive.
Charles Knife Canyon: frequently asked questions
How far is Charles Knife Canyon from Exmouth?
The turn-off is about 22 km, or 20 minutes, south of Exmouth. The road then climbs as a winding mountain road with a gravel section.
Do I need a 4WD for Charles Knife?
The park agency recommends four-wheel drive on the gravel section. Caravans and trailers are not recommended because turning room is limited.
Is Shothole Canyon open?
A tour operator's update of 10 August 2026 listed it as closed. No official reopening date is attached. Check the current status before you go.
How long is the Badjirrajirra walk?
The park agency gives 6 km, Class 4, about 3 hours. The Exmouth visitor centre gives 8 km. Plan for the longer distance.
Do I pay to drive the canyon roads?
Park pages disagree. One says no entry fee for either drive, and two show the standard fee. Be ready to pay A$17 per vehicle (2026) or hold a pass.