The WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is introducing a new booking system trial for campgrounds along the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.
This trial changes how campsite availability is released in an effort to reduce cancellations and give more travellers a fair chance at securing a booking.
Instead of bookings opening daily up to 180 days in advance, campsites will now be released monthly at a set time.
Why the Booking System Is Changing
Ningaloo is one of the most in-demand coastal camping destinations in Western Australia. Many people miss out on bookings due to speculative reservations and later cancellations.
The trial aims to:
- Improve fairness of access
- Reduce no-shows and bulk booking behaviour
- Make booking times easier for Australians
- Better manage demand for popular sites
How the New Booking System Works
Bookings will open at 10am AWST on the first Tuesday of each month during the trial period.
Each release opens a block of future travel dates rather than a rolling calendar.
2026 Opening Dates
| Travel Dates | Bookings Open |
| 3 Aug – 27 Aug 2026 | 3 Feb 2026 |
| 28 Aug – 24 Sep 2026 | 3 Mar 2026 |
| 25 Sep – 29 Oct 2026 | 7 Apr 2026 |
This system avoids splitting weekends and allows people to plan ahead more easily.
What Campgrounds Are Included
The trial applies to all Parks and Wildlife Service campgrounds along the Ningaloo Coast, including:
Cape Range National Park
Boat Harbour, Kurrajong, Mesa, Neds, Osprey Bay, Tulki Beach, Yardie Creek and others
Nyinggulara National Park
Janes Bay, Point Billie, South Lefroy Bay, Winderabandi
Warroora Coast & Coastal Reserves
14 Mile, Lagoon, Elles Beach and more
All other WA campgrounds continue operating normally.
Important Things Campers Need to Know
You may need multiple bookings
If your trip crosses release periods, you must book each section separately once it opens.
Expect queues
High demand sites may place visitors into an online queue system.
You get 30 minutes to complete a booking
If you leave the page inactive for 1 minute, your session may expire.
Enter correct vehicle details
Vehicle size and trailers affect which sites you are allowed to book.
You cannot book for others
Each camper must hold their own account.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
Before bookings open:
- Have flexible travel dates
- Consider less popular campgrounds
- Prepare vehicle registrations and payment details
- Know which sites suit your setup
- Avoid multiple tabs or devices
Highly demanded sites include Osprey Bay, South Lefroy and Winderabandi.
What Happens with No-Shows?
If campers don’t arrive, hosts contact them the following morning.
Bookings may be cancelled after 48 hours and released back online.
This system helps make unused sites available again during busy periods
Where to Book
Bookings are still made through the Park Stay WA system
For more information read the Official government FAQ.
Want to Stay at Ningaloo station?
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More Locations
Check out the rest of the Locations available
14 Mile Beach Camp
14 Mile Beach Camp is a remote, off-grid beachfront campground near Coral Bay with white sand, turquoise water, big skies and epic sunsets.
It’s dog-friendly (on lead) and well-priced, but you need to arrive prepared because there are no toilets, showers, or water on site.
Boat Harbour Campground
Secluded 4WD-access campground with basic amenities near Ningaloo Marine Park.
Bruboodjoo Campground
Bruboodjoo Campground is a large, off-grid coastal camping area north of Coral Bay suited to self-contained travellers, especially fishers and boat owners.
Expect big open sites, beach launching access, and a remote feel rather than structured campground facilities.
Bungarra Campground
Bungarra Campground is a small inland campground set slightly back from the shoreline, offering a quieter and more sheltered stay than the beachfront sites.
With only a handful of camps and a short walk to the water, it suits travellers who want proximity to the coast without being directly exposed to wind and salt.
Janes Bay Campground
Janes Bay Campground is a remote coastal campsite suited to travellers who want space, simplicity and a proper off-grid stay.
There are no built facilities, just open camps, ocean views and plenty of wind. The journey in can be rough, so it’s best suited to well-prepared campers with capable vehicles and everything they need on board.
Kurrajong Campground (Cape Range)
Kurrajong Campground is a quieter Cape Range campground with easy dune access to the water, clean facilities and a laid-back feel.
It’s a solid choice for travellers who want a more peaceful base, simple amenities, and quick access to swimming and reef time.
Mesa Camp
Mesa Campground is a popular coastal campground with spacious sites, beach access and easy launching for small boats.
Facilities are simple but well maintained, and some sites have shade. Generators are permitted during set hours.
Neds Campground
Neds Campground is a small, peaceful campground tucked behind the dunes with a short walk to a quiet swimming beach and excellent sunset views.
Sites are spacious, some with tree cover, and facilities are simple but well maintained.
North Kurrajong & T-Bone Campground (Cape Range)
North Kurrajong Campground is a spacious coastal campground set just behind the dunes with easy access to reef and swimming areas.
Facilities are basic but well maintained, and the location is known for wildlife sightings, snorkelling and peaceful surroundings.
Best suited to self-sufficient travellers wanting nature, quiet and proximity to the reef rather than a serviced camping area.
North Lefroy Campground
North Lefroy is a spacious beachfront campground with large private sites and excellent access to fishing and boating.
Facilities are basic and the access track can be rough and sandy, so a capable 4WD and lowered tyre pressures are essential.
North Mandu Campground
North Mandu is a small, secluded campground with only a handful of sites tucked behind the dunes.
Facilities are simple but generally well maintained, and the location offers peaceful camping close to some of the best beaches and snorkelling areas in Cape Range.
One K Campground
One K is a quiet and remote campground suited to self-sufficient travellers looking for space and solitude.
Facilities are basic and access requires some preparation, including lowering tyre pressures before arrival.
Osprey Bay Campsite
Osprey Bay Campsite is one of the standout campgrounds on the Ningaloo coast, with big, well-spaced sites right by the water, spotless long-drop toilets, and unreal snorkelling straight off the beach.
Point Billie Campground
Point Billie Campground is a big, off-grid Ningaloo Station campground best suited to boaters and fishos, with huge sites, cracking sunsets, and plenty of wildlife. Expect wind, exposure and a rough corrugated 4WD approach.
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Sal Salis offers an exclusive, eco-luxury safari camp set within the dunes of Cape Range National Park, overlooking Ningaloo Reef.
With just 16 wilderness tents and one honeymoon tent, the experience blends barefoot comfort with guided nature-based activities and all-inclusive hospitality in a remote coastal setting.
South Lefroy Bay Campground
South Lefroy Bay Campground is a seriously special Ningaloo Station beach camp with clear, calm turquoise water and reef access straight off the sand.
Stans Camp (Overflow Camp)
A basic Ningaloo Station overflow campground sitting inland from the reef line. It’s open, exposed and self-contained only, often used when nearby beachfront camps are full.
The Ridge Campground
Remote bush campground south of Coral Bay with unpowered sites and basic facilities.
Tulki Beach Campground
Tulki Beach Campground is a small, well-kept Cape Range National Park campground known for its peaceful feel and proximity to some of Ningaloo’s best snorkelling areas.
Not directly on the reef edge, but close enough to paddle or walk to the water with ease.
Winderabandi Point Campground
Winderabandi Point Campground is a remote beachfront campground on Ningaloo Station offering one of the most immersive reef and wildlife experiences along the coast.
Expect true off-grid camping, soft sand access and wide-open ocean views. It rewards preparation – and punishes complacency.
Yardie Creek Campground
Yardie Creek Campground is a small, beachside Cape Range National Park campground near the Yardie Creek gorge walks. People rate it highly for the location, sunsets, stargazing and the camp host vibe, but it’s basic and books out fast.
Bring water, expect long-drop toilets, and plan around the creek crossing if travelling south.