19 Feb Camping your way up the Coral Coast, WA

Camping your way up the Coral Coast is a unique way to explore this part of WA (*Western Australia). WA’s Coral Coast is a prime tourist destination from April – Oct due to the warm climate.

WA is massive, therefore there is a lot of ground to cover along this coast line. Going on a road trip and stopping an multiple places is the best way to explore all the amazing destinations.  Luckily the Coral Coast has some amazing locations and campsites along this coastline to enjoy on your travels.

This blog post is for you if are looking for a few places to break up your trip as you travel up the Coral Coast of WA. Prehap’s you are currently doing the big lap, or looking for a holiday destination. There are camping grounds suitable for one night or multiple night stop overs. Nature based campsites, remote camping options and caravan parks. Camping for every type of traveler.

Reasons to Camp up the coral coast

When you think of visiting Western Australia the tourism advertisements are a bit misleading. You will see images of people swimming with whale sharks in Exmouth and walking through ancient gorges in Kalbarri or Karijini. To visit places like Karijini or Exmouth it is a really long way from Perth CBD. For example Perth to Exmouth is a 14 hr drive or a plane flight. Don’t be discouraged by the drive because there are so many places to stop and enjoy on the long journey. 

The coral coast stretches from just north of the Perth Metro area all the way up the coast to Exmouth. The destination is absolutely worth it with so many hidden gem campsites on the beaches of the coral coast. WA is known for its beaches so why not attempt to try them all if you have the time.

Maybe you are planning a trip up the coral coast on a budget. Camping a very cost effective option because accommodation in WA is very expensive.

Travel on a Budget

The most common complaint I hear about WA is the cost of accommodation, expensive campsites and the lack of free camps. In comparison to other states (in Australia) WA has very few free camps. However we do have a lot of really lovely cheap camping options and station stays that won’t break the budget while camping along the coral coast.

Are you looking for an overnighter? Or a place to stop and enjoy for a few days? Or maybe you need somewhere with a shower and a camp kitchen.

Pick and choose where you splurge on a nice caravan park to enjoy the luxury of a warm shower or some facilities. 

My top picks for caravan parks up the coral coast are the RAC Monkey Mia ($50 per night),  Wooramel River Retreat ($35-40 per night) or the Yardie Creek Homestead ($45-$50 per night). All others are nature based campsites which will require you to be semi-self sufficient for a night or 2.

If you are looking for a one nighter there are plenty of 24hr rest stops along the highway if you want a free camp to rest and break up the journey. Personally I always have a terrible night’s sleep listening to road trains going past all night and it’s a restless sleep. A better option is to break up the journey and detour off the highway a few km’s to a nice cheap beachside or bush side camp to fully experience what the coral coast has to offer without the price tag of a caravan park.

Planning your campsites up the coral coast. 

Some campsites up the coral coast are a bit of a mission to get too, and will warrant a few nights stay. While others are perfect for a relaxing over night stop as you travel up the North West Coastal Highway. Below the campsites up the coral coast are in order of distance, 1 being closest to Perth and 20 is furthest from Perth.

The list of campsites up the coral coast include a few remote camping options which are (in my opinion) not suited for a one night stay, so plan accordingly. Keeping in mind some of these suggested places might not be suitable for your means of travel (2wd vs 4wd, large caravan or off road capabilities etc) and not all are accessible to all types of travelers. Station stays are destination locations to enjoy a few nights stay. Mostly due to the access or distance from the main highway.

For example Ningaloo Station is a destination campground, it is 4wd access only and the road in is approx 30km of rough corrugation plus and additional 15-30km 4wd sandy track to access most of the beachside campgrounds. This can take around 1.5hr form the main highway. It’s a stunning location where you can enjoy fishing and snorkeling on the Ningaloo reef. It is worth spending a few nights.

Monkey Mia is also classed as a destination location and also warrants a few nights stay because it is a whopping 150kms (1.5hr) drive from the NW Coastal Highway.

Coral Coast Driving Distance

If you are planning to camp up the coral coast you can of course travel as fast or as slow as you like. If you are on a time crunch or planning to visit only one or 2 destinations you can split this Highway into 3 sections to better plan your journey. Here is an example of the driving times.

Perth to Geraldton = approx 4.5 – 5hrs drive

Geraldton to Carnarvon = approx 4.5-5hrs drive

Carnarvon to Exmouth = approx 3.5-4hrs drive

Perth to Exmouth direct = 13hrs non stop, realistically it is going to take you approx 14 hours with toilet breaks and fuel stops.

Camping up the Coral Coast – Campgrounds

5. Big 4 Caravan Park Port Denison

If you need a night in a caravan park to top up power, have a shower or do some washing, Port Denison is a lovely place to camp up the coral coast. It has all the luxuries of a caravan park like flushing toilets, caravan dump point, drinking water and of course showers. You can get powered and unpowered sites so if you need to top up the batteries, water tanks or just have a nice shower this is a great spot to either stop of the night or spend a few days exploring the area before you continue north up the coral coast. Port Denison and Dongara are great places to stay if you are planning to explore the local wildflowers of Mingenew or Coalseam National Park that bloom vibrantly in Spring. Visit the caravan park website for bookings and more info.

• Advanced booking here starting from $40 pn
• Full amenities (toilets, water, powered sites camp kitchen)
• 2wd accessible
• Destination or Overnighter.
• Dogs permitted

6. Coronation Beach Campground

This nature based campground is about 8kms from the main highway and 30mins north of Geraldton. It is also a popular kite surfing spot for tourists and locals. A great beach side over night camping option as you make your way up the coral coast. If you are enjoying the campground and the weather is in your favour you can extend your stay, this is a popular camping destination. The is a nature based camping ground with coastal shrub and a lovely beach. It can get windy here hence it is a popular kite surfing spot for tourists and locals. With easy access this is a great stay for larger rigs because it is a sealed road access an has large sites available.

• No advance bookings $15 pn/pp
• Long drop toilets
• No drinking water
• 2wd accessible
• Overnighter / Destination.
• Dogs permitted

Beautiful image supplied by @parson.through who also have a wonderful print shop of Australian Inspired photography.

8. Murchison House Station – Kalbarri

The first of the station stays up the coral coast. Murchison House station is a great spot if you plan on exploring Kalbarri. Although its a station stay all the camping is nature based so you can return to peace and quiet after you explore the town and the area. There are 2 types of sites at this station, one is the “Homestead camping” which offers about 20 cleared camping spots under the gum trees along the banks of the Murchison River. This is for big rigs, if you need toilets and shower facilities (which are very dated and basic). If you plan to explore the Kalbarri region, this is closest rout in and out of the station.

If you prefer there is also the “Bush Camping” option. You need a 4wd and be fully self sufficient. This Bush Camping option will allow you to find a secluded spot along the river away from other people or head off into the 350,000 acers of station land to explore the 4wd tracks. This is a working station, they monitor the amount of cars going into the station so although there is a lot of land and space they still have the right to be fully booked.

• Pre-booking required HERE
• Homestead $15 pn/pp – Bush Camping $50 fee + $15 pn/pp
• Toilets and Showers available at Homestead Camping
• Driking water available at Homestead
• 2wd accessible + 4wd options
• Destination spot.
• Dogs Permitted

Honorable Mention – 24 HR Rest Stops – Nerren Nerren & Galena Bridge

All the way along the North West Coastal Highway there are free 24hr roadside stops. These are suitable to camp at if you are mid journey and need a place to stay the night. Galena Bridge is on the banks of the Murchison River. Its a large area that has clearings trees, bins and toilet facilities. Nothing fancy but the surrounding bush is quite nice and sometimes has water in the river. Its a 6 1/2 hr drive from Perth so its just under the half way mark.

Nerren Nerren is just half an hour further and another free 24 hr roadside camp along the North West Coastal Highway. Maybe you have reached your limit of daily driving or maybe you are on your way back from Exmouth. If you plan to stay hear you will see stray cats at night so keep dogs on leads at all times and leave no rubbish around. You will also hear a bit of road noise with the large road trains driving at night, handy hint, bring ear plugs. Both of these are good “half way marks” if you are unsure how you will go driving long distances or maybe you are travelling with kids who need a break from the car.

• Free, 24 hr limit.
• Long drop toilets.
• No drinking water
• 2wd accessible, caravans and big rigs.
• Overnighter
• Dogs permitted

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10. Monkey Mia RAC Dolphin Resort

This location is a full fledged resort. Monkey Mia is a hugely popular tourist destination that will warrant a few nights stay or be a destination for your holiday. The Shark Bay area offers loads to see and do read full review HERE. The resort offers great camping facilities, large caravan sites, ensuite caravan sites, powered, unpowered, grassed area for tents and a very amazing camp kitchen. The toilet blocks are very newly renovate (as of 2021) and clean. There is also chalet accommodation if you need a night out of the tent.

Being a resort there are 2 pools, play areas for the kids, a lovely restaurant and a beachside bar. Coming in at a whopping $50 per night for an unpowered site, you have to remember this is a resort with very amazing and new facilities. In my opinion well worth it to enjoy a little luxury especially if you have been doing some nature based camping and need a shower and a few days in civilization before you hit another nature based campsite. Monkey Mia is in Shark Bay, close to Denham Town. If you cant afford the price tag of the resort there are plenty of caravan parks in Denham Town.

• $40 pn unpowered tent site, $50 pn powered caravan site $80 pn with discount available for RAC members. Book HERE

• Ablution block, campers kitchen.
• Dogs permitted
• 2wd accessible
• Destination location.

Honorable mention – 24hr rest stops – Whale Bone Bay, Fowlers Camp & Eagle Lookout.

If you are traveling on a budget or just looking for an overnight campsites in the shark bay region, I recommend these overnight campsites – Whale Bone Bay, Fowlers Camp or Eagle Lookout, you must purchase a $15 permit to stay the night, you can pay 24hrs in advance here. These are beautiful options if you are fully self sufficient. They do not offer any facilities (toilets, showers, drinking water etc) so you will need to be prepared if you choose to sleep here overnight.

13. Wooramel River Retreat

This station stay is a working cattle and goat station that offers a load of amenities. It offers glamping tents, cabins and also a load of different camping options. It is advertised as a river retreat however the river flows only a few times a year so don’t expect to camp alongside a bubbling river. The “river side” campsites offer a bit of tree coverage vs the “river flat” camping option only has a few sparse trees and mostly just a red dirt base. They also have a grassy patch for tent, roof top tents or campervans. They have artesian baths and insta worthy bush style showers, a communal fire pit and a cafe. It is a very well set up campground/caravan park.

• Camping from $30 p/n – $60 p/n. Advanced bookings HERE.
• No drinking water
• Flushing toilets and showers
• Pet Friendly
• Overnight or Destination location.
• 2wd accessible.

14. Point Quobba Campgrounds

This location has been made an iconic location up the coral coast due to the king waves kill sign located at the Quobba blowholes 75km’s north of Carnarvon. There is actually a really nice coastal camping ground just south of the “King Waves Kill” sign called Point Quobba. There is a small coral reef teaming with life just off shore you can enjoy a snorkel and the fishing is pretty good off this coastline if you have a tinny or boat. Otherwise its a great one or 2 night stay on your way up the coral coast. This is a bit of a detour from the main highway so allow some time to enjoy the location if you choose this option.

• $11 p/n pp ranger will visit daily. No pre bookings. Book online on arrival if you can obtain a campsite HERE.
• No drinking water
• Long drop toilets available at the day use area, however you must have a chemical toilet if you are camping.
• Dogs permitted
• Overnight or Destination location.
• 2wd accessible.

15. Gnaraloo Station – 3 mile

Another insta worthy sign to snap on your way up the coral coast is the entrance to Gnaraloo station. From the King Waves Kill sign at Quobba you access this via a a 70km unsealed (and at times corrugated) road, it is 2wd accessible however be prepared for some rough sections of road. It is recommended to stay a few nights because of the remote location and distance from the main hwy. Perched on the low cliffs are 48 nature based campsites close to the Homestead. 3 Mile camp is a coastal camping ground is a popular spot with nice cleared sandy patched to camp on the rugged cliffs.

There is a small shop with minimal grocery items and some basic ablution blocks if you need a warm shower. There is also chalets available from the Homestead if you need a bed for the night. Gnaraloo station has good surfing and unfortunately parts of the reef are classed as a sanctuary so finishing is limited here, unless you have a boat to fish outside the sanctuary zone. If you cannot allocate a few days here on your trip along the coral coast this may not be a place to visit because it is very remote and will chew into the km’s and time on your trip.

• Starting from $35 p/n per site, higher in peak season or for “primo” sites. Booking available HERE
• Ablution block, artesian showers, toilets etc. No drinking water provided.
• Pet friendly.
• 2wd accessible

16. Warroora Station

This s a working cattle station along the pristine Ningaloo coast. With the reef a short distance just off shore. There are multiple camping options here. Including a caravan style camping ground at “the Homestead” that are 2wd accessible and then additional options that are nature based 4wd beachside camping options. The most popular bays include 14 mile camp, Elles Beach, Maggies Campgrouns, Stevens Camp and The Ridge Campground. You can book the homestead campground from their website HERE and the beachside camping off Explore Parks website HERE. The beachside camps will require 4wd or off road caravans. The station is approx 25km from the main hwy.

• From $15 p/n pp
• Pre-booking required HERE
• NO Drinking water provided
• Chemical toilet required for beachside camping / dump points available near by.
• Dogs permitted
• Destination Location
• 2wd & 4wd options.

17. RAC Coral Bay

Coral Bay is a small satellite town, I’m not sure you can really call it a town it is a tourist destination with minimal facilities. Coral Bay is basically huge resort/caravan park. It offers all types of accommodation including tent sites, caravan sites, chalets and villas. There is a general store, pub and cafe, That’s it. Its charm is the amazing Ningaloo reef at wading distance. Enjoy the amazing beaches or enjoy some of the tours available from the caravan park reception. This is a hugely busy spot, you will need to book well in advance. If you want a quiet secluded spot this is not the camping grounds for you. It is a very family friendly location due to the calm shallow bay waters.

• Starting from $55 for an unpowered site pre-bookings necessary HERE
• Pet friendly
• Full facilities available. Toilets, showers etc.
• Destination location
• 2wd accessible.

18. Nyinggulara National Park (Previously Ningaloo Station)

This is a newly appointed national park, previously know as Ningaloo station and most people will still refer to it as Ningaloo Station. The station was recently decommissioned and made into a National Park in 2021. The camping facilities remain unchanged and can now be booked via the explore parks website HERE. It offers prime beachside campsites on the Ningaloo coast however the road into the station is somewhat infamous, due to its horrible 30km corrugated tract. But don’t be discouraged, the campsites are absolutely breath takingly beautiful and worth the journey. Making this a destination camping spot not an over night stopover.

You will need to stock up on supplies and have a chemical toilet because this is a nature based camp spot with no facilities. The area includes multiple campsites such as Janes Bay, South Lefroy, North Lefroy, Point Billi and in my opinion, the best campsite in WA – Winderbandi Bay. There is great fishing off this coastline however some parts are zoned a sanctuary so be sure to check local marine signs before fishing. The ningaloo reef is easily accessible from South Lefroy and Winderbandi Bay.

• $15 p/n pp pre-booking HERE
• No facilities. Must have a chemical toilet.
• No Drining water.
• Dogs permitted.
• Destination location.
• 4wd access only.

19. Cape Range National Park

If you plan on traveling up to Exmouth it is absolutely worth stopping into Cape Range National Park if you cant get a campsite here. This is the last place you can enjoy access the Ningaloo reef. Cape Range National Park is a very popular spot because the coastline is lovely and the reef is so close to shore. You will need to book in advance to get a good spot. The most popular nature based campsite is Ospray Bay. There are 9 camping grounds, 2 – 4wd access only, all others are easily accessible by 2wd.

• $15 p/n pp pre booking available HERE. + $15 park entrance fee.
• NO drinking water provided.
• Long drop toilets provided.
• No dog permitted
• Destination location.
• 2wd accessible.

20. Yardie Homestead Caravan Park

Yardie Creek station its on the outskirts of Cape Range National Park. It is a privately owned caravan park and a great alternative if you were unable to book a campsite in the national park because its a short drive into the Park. It offers large sites some shade, toilet facilities and even a pool. Plus it is close enough to be able to explore the national park has to offer or Exmouth town.

• Starting from $45 p/n per site. Booking available HERE.
• Full park facilities. Drinking water, Toilets, Showers etc.
• Destination location.
• Dogs permitted.
• 2wd acessable.

Types of campsites up the Coral Coast

Nature Based:

What does this mean? It means it has small cleared areas, usually very basic no frills campsite, surrounded by nature, shrubs or immersed in nature. Some have facilities like long drop toilets, a sheltered picnic area. Require you to be self sufficient meaning no power or drinking water provided. Some campgrounds will offer bore water or rain water not suitable for consumption.

Caravan Parks:

Hopefully this is self explanatory. Most caravan parks will have ablution blocks with running water/showers/flushing toilets and camp kitchens. Some will also have access to a laundry or a dump point for vans and chemical toilets. 

Station Stays:

Some station stays will offer more facilities than others. Others provide no facilities and require you to be fully self sufficient. Book a site according to your needs. Most will offer nature based sites and very few facilities. 

Overnight campsites:

There are lots of 24hr stopovers along the Highway. These are free stopovers literally suitable to rest overnight to continue the long journey. However there are some great overnight campsites that are a short distance from the highway that can be enjoyed. If you are planning to drive up the coast slowly you might like explore a few of these sites to see more or stop for a few nights.

Destination campgrounds:

What defines a destination campground? There are lots of campgrounds that are destination worthy. These are good enough to venture too as a full holiday or vacation destination. They might be a long way from the highway or they might be a stunning destination worthy of a few nights stay. A destination campground will provide you with a great location to enjoy and explore.

Planning your trip up the Coral Coast

So as you can see there are plenty of places to stop up the coral coast to break up the journey. So if you are visiting WA and planning on driving up the coral coast some popular destinations include Jurien Bay, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay and Exmouth. 

With Google maps and GPS’s apps so accessible and easy to use, you will be able to easily navigate your way up the coast. WA is getting better with reception however there are lots of areas you will not have access to phone reception and might require navigation. If you need additional support offline or when out of reception download the Wiki Camps app. It is a $15 app with all the campsites available in Australia. It also gives you access while offline. You can add your campsite locations to a trip planner and use that if you have no reception. 

Some locations will not have access to drinking water so ensure you always carry enough drinking water with you. 

Some campgrounds will require you to pay cash into an honesty box or to a camp host. IF you are planning on staying at these sites you will need to bring physical cash. Hilarious that needs to be said, however as we move into a more cashless society few people carry cash with them. Plan ahead, get cash out where you can for your required campsite. 

Final Thoughts – Camping up the Coral Coast

Accommodation around WA is not cheap, so why not enjoy camping your way up the Coral Coast to save some coin and also fully immerse yourself in the state. Keep in mind that Western Australia is massive with lots of ground to cover up the coral coast so plan your trip wisely and know you don’t have to see it all. Cherry picking a few prime locations can mean you can still enjoy some relaxation while out exploring and camping up the Coral Coast.