Janes Bay campground

Janes Bay is the smallest and most secluded campground on the Ningaloo Coast, tucked inside Nyinggulara National Park (formerly Ningaloo) about 135 kilometres south of Exmouth. With just 17 bookable sites set behind a sheltered bay on the Indian Ocean, this is remote coastal camping at its most rewarding. The campground sits adjacent to the Cloates Sanctuary Zone of Ningaloo Marine Park, placing you within reach of one of Australia's most remarkable coral reef systems.

No toilets, no water, no bins, no sealed roads. You need a capable 4WD and a fully self-contained setup.

Getting there#

Janes Bay is roughly 135 km south of Exmouth (about 2.5 hours). Both routes require a high-clearance 4WD with low-range.

From the north (via Yardie Creek Road): Through Cape Range National Park. After Yardie Creek, the road becomes unsealed. You may need to cross Yardie Creek — sandy and tidal. Check conditions with Parks and Wildlife first.

From the south (via Cardabia-Ningaloo Road): Off the Minilya-Exmouth Road. Corrugated gravel and soft sand. More common route from Coral Bay (~77 km south).

Reduce tyre pressure for sand sections. Carry a recovery kit (snatch strap, rated shackles, tyre deflator, compressor). No mobile reception for the entire drive. Let someone know your plans.

Check the official page for current access conditions.

Facilities#

This is a no-facilities campground. You must arrive completely self-sufficient.

What's provided: 29 compacted gravel camping pads (17 bookable sites) and a chemical toilet dump point.

What you must bring:

• Portable sealed-unit flushing or composting toilet (mandatory — camp hosts check compliance; bag-based systems not permitted)
• All drinking water (nearest refill is Exmouth, 2.5 hours away — minimum 10 litres per person per day)
• All food and cooking equipment
• Rubbish bags to pack out everything
• Firewood if you want a campfire (portable fire ring or pit only, no ground fires)
• Shade structures, sunscreen, insect repellent

Fees and booking#

Per person per night: adults $8, concession $6, children $3. No vehicle entry fee for Nyinggulara NP.

Book through ParkStay WA. Bookings open 180 days in advance, first Tuesday of each month at 10am AWST. One site per booking, Mastercard/Visa only. Maximum stay: 14 nights during school holidays, 28 nights otherwise.

Things to do#

Shore fishing#

The shoreline sits within a special purpose zone where shore-based fishing is permitted. Cast for spangled emperor, blue-bone, and trevally. Fishing inside the Cloates Sanctuary Zone is prohibited.

Kayaking and paddleboarding#

The sheltered bay creates ideal conditions. Launch from the beach and explore reef flats. Early mornings before the wind are best. Turtles, rays, and reef fish are visible from the water.

Whale shark season (Mar-Aug)#

Whale sharks gather along the Ningaloo Coast to feed on coral spawn. Tour operators in Exmouth and Coral Bay run licensed encounters — book months ahead for peak season (Apr-Jul).

Turtle watching (Nov-Mar)#

Green and loggerhead turtles nest along the coast. Hatchlings emerge January to March. Observe from a distance — no torches or flash photography near nesting sites.

Cape Range National Park day trip#

Drive north for gorge walks (Mandu Mandu Gorge, Yardie Creek), reef snorkelling (Turquoise Bay, Oyster Stacks), and the Charles Knife and Shothole Canyon drives. Park entry $17/vehicle.

Best time to visit#

Autumn/Winter (Apr-Aug): Best conditions. 22-30 degrees daytime, cool comfortable nights, lighter wind. Peak whale shark and humpback whale season.

Spring (Sep-Oct): Pleasant, warming temperatures, fewer crowds. Wildflowers across coastal scrubland.

Summer (Nov-Mar): Extreme heat (regularly 40+ degrees), cyclone season, bushfire danger. Turtle nesting season and fewer campers, but the remoteness makes this risky in extreme conditions.

Rules#

• Dogs allowed (leashed, under control at all times)
• Generators allowed (be considerate)
• Portable toilet mandatory (sealed-unit only)
• Campfires in portable fire rings only, banned on HIGH fire danger days or above
• Pack out all rubbish
• 4WD access only

Tips for camping at Janes Bay#

• Stock up in Exmouth. The nearest fuel, water, ice, and supplies are 2.5 hours north. There's nothing between town and the campground
• Bring more water than you think. Allow at least 10 litres per person per day, more in summer. There's no water source anywhere nearby
• Arrive with a full recovery kit. Snatch strap, rated shackles, tyre deflator, and a compressor are essentials. If you get bogged, you may wait hours before another vehicle passes
• Download offline maps. No mobile reception. Download maps, campground details, and tide charts before leaving Exmouth
• Check road conditions before you go. Call the Exmouth Visitor Centre on (08) 9949 1176 or check the Parks and Wildlife website. Conditions change after rain and tidal events
• Prepare for wind. Janes Bay can be windy, especially in the afternoons. Choose a site with natural scrub shelter and bring sturdy tent pegs rated for sandy ground

Can't get a booking?#

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