Camping At Ningaloo: Best campground, booking tips & what to know
Camping at Ningaloo is one of the most unique coastal camping experiences in Western Australia. Located along the Ningaloo Coast near Exmouth, these campgrounds offer direct access to the reef, crystal clear water and true off-grid beach camping.
While planning, I ran into a few hurdles and disappointments. I quickly learned that camping at Ningaloo isn’t as simple as just rocking up and choosing a site. Between the booking system, the remoteness, and the need to be fully self-contained, there are a few things I wish I knew before we went.
Now that I have gone through the planning stage, the countdown, and actually staying there for six weeks in total. I learned a lot, and I wish I had known this before we started our trip. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about camping at Ningaloo, including how to book, where to stay, what to bring, and how to make the most of your time.
➤ If you’re planning a trip to the region, make sure you also read our Top Things to do in Exmouth and our detailed 3-5 Day Exmouth itinerary to plan your trip properly.
Important Update: Ningaloo Camping Temporarily closed
Due to Cyclone Narelle, Ningaloo Camping areas are currently closed and are expected to reopen on 25 September. Always check the latest updates before travelling, as conditions and reopening dates can change.
Camping at Ningaloo Bookings: The booking system
Let’s get straight to the point: if you want to go camping at Ningaloo, you need to plan six months ahead. I know, it’s not what you want to hear. Bookings open 180 days in advance, and popular sites like South Lefroy, North Lefroy and Winderabandi are gone within minutes.
When I first started planning our lap, I had no idea when we’d actually reach Ningaloo. I was researching places, but not dates. Then I heard about the booking situation and my options were:
- Wing it, hope for cancellations, and risk missing out
- Lock in dates six months ahead, then make sure we were in the right place at the time.
We chose option two, and I’m glad we did. In Exmouth, we met other travellers desperate for a site. All caravan parks and campgrounds were booked out. Peak season here is April to October and is honestly chaos for the last-minute planner.
If you’ve already missed out, don’t give up completely. Cancellations do happen, but checking the WA Parks website every day gets frustrating. We’ve recently found Schnerp, which monitors campsite cancellations and emails you the moment a spot becomes available. You still need to be quick, but it’s a much easier way to keep an eye on those hard-to-get Ningaloo campsites.
➤ Set up your cancellation alerts here.
Once you’ve created your alert, you’re all set. The first few alerts are free, so you can try it out before deciding it’s right for you. If you choose to continue, Bush and Bay readers get 10% off with the code BUSHANDBAY.
Ningaloo Booking System – How it works?
For the 2026 season, bookings are released in monthly blocks via Park Stay WA, six months ahead of time at 10am on the first Tuesday of each month. If you’re serious about securing a spot, you need to be ready the moment bookings open.
Here’s how to maximise your chances:
- Set a calendar reminder 180 days ahead for the booking release date
- Create your Park Stay WA account before bookings open
- Be flexible with our travel dates, shifting your days by a day or two can make a big difference
- If you miss out, don’t give up. Cancellations do happen regularly. We’ve recently started using Schnerp, which monitors campsite cancellations and emails you the moment a spot becomes available. While testing it for Osprey Bay in Cape Range National Park, we received several cancellation alerts within just one week. You still need to be quick, but it’s much easier than checking the WA Parks website every day.
→ Get notified the moment a Ningaloo campsite becomes available.
➤ Still looking for places to stay? Check out our camping in Exmouth guide for more accommodation options, or our Cape Range National Park Camping Guide for national park campgrounds.
Where is camping at Ningaloo located?
Camping at Ningaloo refers to a series of remote coastal campgrounds located south of Exmouth along the Ningaloo Coast. These sites sit within the Ningaloo Marine Park and offer direct access to the reef.
Unlike camping in Exmouth or Cape Range National Park, these campgrounds are completely off-grid and require you to be fully self-sufficient and carry a portable toilet (this is mandatory).
What to bring when camping at Ningaloo
Ningaloo’s campgrounds are just stunning! But they’re also kind of remote and pretty basic. It’s the perfect place if you love off-grid camping and are fully self-contained.
Here’s what you absolutely need:
Insurance
Before you hit the road, check your insurance. Many policies don’t automatically cover off-road use. The roads in can be soft or heavily corrugated. It’s tough on your vehicle and not worth the risk. Double-check that your policy covers off-road driving. We went with Club 4X4 insurance for the confidence to explore off-the-beaten track to remote camping trips like this.
Drinking water
there’s no drinking water at the Ningaloo camping sites. You’ll have to fill up before you arrive. From South Lefroy, a trip back into town to resupply will take 2,5 hours each way. We underestimated it… It’s a full day that you’ll lose, and trust me, you don’t want to do it often.
Food
When coming from Exmouth, you’ll have to stock up at (the overpriced IGA) in Exmouth, there are no shops close to the Ningaloo Campgrounds.
Chemical toilet
It’s pretty straight forward: no toilet, no entry. Camp hosts do check, and you won’t be allowed to go camping at Ningaloo if you’re not fully self-contained. Each site has a dump point too, so no need to worry about that.
Weather Conditions
It can get very windy! And camping at Ningaloo is so weather dependent. Always check the weather forecast before setting up camp. It will make or break your stay.
➤ If you’re unsure whether your setup is suitable for camping at Ningaloo, read our Camping in Exmouth guide for easier options, or combine both experiences using our 3-5 day Exmouth itinerary.
Camping at ningaloo campgrounds: Full breakdown
There are five main campgrounds when it comes to camping at Ningaloo, each offering a different experience depending on the activities you want to prioritise. Here’s the overview:
All five are unpowered, have no toilets, and require you to be fully self-contained. Here’s a breakdown of the campgrounds so you can choose the right one for your trip:
South Lefroy Campground: Best for snorkelling from the beach
Our absolute favourite! If you don’t have a boat like us, this is one of the best spots because you snorkel straight from the beach.
The first few campsites sit directly on the sand, but they’re also part of the day-use area. Meaning you might get cars pulling up in front of you, and people can also launch their boat from there.
We stayed at site 68, a little tucked away, beach access, and perfect for swimming, SUP or fishing. We had the best of both worlds. Snorkelling at South Lefroy is best near camp site 1, so in the morning we drove to the day use area, went for a snorkel, and in the afternoon we relaxed at camp. You can book your spot online at the Explore Parks WA website.
North Lefroy Campground: Great for space & Boating
North Lefroy Campground has 51 campsites of varying sizes and distances from the water. The beach is long and open, with turquoise water.
It’s popular for boating, but you can still enjoy swimming and fishing here without a boat. The sites are sandy or firm gravel, and there’s more of a feeling of space than at some other campgrounds.
Janes Bay Campground: Most secluded ningaloo campsite
Janes Bay Campground is the smallest and most secluded of the Ningaloo campgrounds, with only 17 sites. It’s a sheltered bay, making it the ideal spot if you’re chasing calm waters for kayaking or SUP.
Because it’s smaller, it books out fast. So if you want some peace and quiet, and being away from the bigger sites, you might want to set that alarm for 2 AM.
Point Billie Campground: Best for fishing
Point Billie Campground offers 39 compacted gravel sites of different sizes. It’s one of the designated boat launching areas, though launching large boats can be tricky with soft sand.
Fishing is very popular here. Both from the beach and by boat. The reef is further out, so it’s not really a snorkelling spot if you want to walk in from the beach.
Winderabandi Campground: Great for Fishing and boating
We split our time between two sites here. We loved site 48 that we had, but didn’t enjoy number 30.
There’s also no snorkelling straight off the beach, the reef sits further out here as well. But it’s still a great spot for fishing, kayaking and boating when there’s no wind. We got lucky catching squid during sunset from site 48 near the rocks. You can book your spot online at the Explore WA parks website.
How to get There
There are two ways to get to the campgrounds at Ningaloo. Access depends on whether you’re coming from the north or south.
- From the north, you’ll need to cross Yardie Creek. Most of the time it’s dry, but the sand can be soft. We crossed it a few times without trouble, but we’ve heard of people getting bogged. Especially those who were towing caravans.
- From the south, you’ll come in on unsealed roads that can be extremely corrugated. Conditions change daily, so check before you travel.
Road conditions can change quickly, especially after weather events like Cyclone Narelle. Always check conditions before travelling.
➤ If you’re unsure whether your vehicle is suitable, check our Camping in Exmouth guide for easier access options.
What to do while camping at Ningaloo
Camping at Ningaloo is all about the ocean. Instead of listing everything here, we recommend reading our full guides on Things to do in Exmouth and our Best Ningaloo Reef Snorkelling Spots for a complete breakdown.
Best time for camping at ningaloo
Timing your trip is critical when camping at Ningaloo. Wind conditions can completely change your experience, especially when it comes to beach camping, snorkelling, boating and other water activities.
- April – June: Whale shark season and calmer conditions
- July – October: Humpback whales, but also peak season.
- November – March: Hot, humid and cyclone risk. Not ideal camping weather.
➤ For a full month-by-month breakdown, check our detailed Best time to visit Exmouth guide.
My personal tips for camping at Ningaloo
Is camping at Ningaloo worth it?
Absolutely! Camping at Ningaloo is an experience you’ll never forget. It’s the kind of place that you don’t want to leave. We totally understand why so many travellers call the Ningaloo their favourite place in Western Australia.
My main tip is to plan ahead and come prepared so you’ll avoid driving back into town to resupply. Happy camping!
Plan your Exmouth Trip
If you want to plan your trip properly, start with these guides:
➤ Or explore all our Western Australia Travel Guides to help plan your trip.
Camping at Ningaloo FAQs
Do you need to book camping at ningaloo?
Yes, camping at Ningaloo must be booked in advance. Campsites are released around 180 days ahead and sell out within minutes during peak season.
Do you need a 4WD for camping at Ningaloo?
Yes, a 4WD is required for camping at Ningaloo. Access roads are unsealed, sandy and can be heavily corrugated.
Do you need to be self-contained for camping at Ningaloo?
Yes, you must be fully self-contained. This includes having a chemical toilet, water supply and all necessary camping gear.
Which is the best campground for camping at Ningaloo?
South Lefroy is often considered the best campground for snorkelling directly from the beach.
What if Ningaloo Campsites are fully booked?
Don’t assume you’ve missed out completely. Cancellations do happen, especially closer to people’s travel dates. We’ve been using Schnerp, which monitors campsite cancellations and sends you an email as soon as a spot becomes available. You still need to be quick, but it’s much easier than refreshing the booking website yourself every single day.
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