If you are planning a Ningaloo Coast camping trip for late August to September 2026, there is an important booking release coming up. Here is what travellers need to know before Tuesday 3 March.
Park Stay WA Booking Closure
Park Stay WA will be closed for new bookings from 12.01am until 10.00am AWST on Tuesday 3 March.
During this time:
- New bookings cannot be made
- The My Bookings section will remain available
- Existing bookings can still be viewed or cancelled
This temporary closure is to prepare the system for the major Ningaloo Coast release.
When Bookings Open
At 10am AWST on Tuesday 3 March, bookings will open for:
Stays between Friday 28 August and Thursday 24 September 2026
at campgrounds along the Ningaloo Coast.
For all other WA campgrounds, the normal rolling release continues:
- Bookings open 180 days (approximately six months) before arrival.
Important: Queue System Explained
If you are planning to book Ningaloo Coast camps, it is critical to understand how the queue works.
There is no advantage to logging in early.
At 10am sharp:
- All active website sessions will be cleared
- The waiting queue will reset
- New queue positions are allocated at random
- Queue spots are limited
This means:
- Being on the site before 10am does not secure priority
- Everyone effectively starts fresh at 10am
- Expect heavy traffic and delays
If You Are Not Booking Ningaloo Coast
If your trip does not involve the Ningaloo Coast during this release window, the advice is simple:
Avoid the rush.
Make or manage bookings either:
- Before Tuesday 3 March, or
- Later that day after the peak demand settles
This will save significant waiting time.
Expect Slow Performance on Release Day
Demand for Ningaloo Coast camps is extremely high. Based on previous releases, travellers should expect:
- Slow website performance
- Long queue times
- Limited campsite availability
- Possible timeouts during peak demand
A bit of patience goes a long way.
Practical tip: Have everything ready before 10am, then settle in with the kettle on or a line in the water while the queue does its thing.
How to Increase Your Chances of Securing a Ningaloo Station Campsite
Competition for Ningaloo Coast campsites can be strong, especially during peak release periods. A little preparation can make a big difference when bookings open.
Be Flexible Where Possible
Visitors who are flexible with their travel dates, campground choice, and length of stay generally have a better chance of securing a booking.
Osprey Bay, South Lefroy and Winderabandi are typically the highest demand campgrounds. Focusing only on these locations may reduce your chances due to heavy competition. Expanding your search to other Ningaloo Coast campgrounds can significantly improve availability.
Shorter stays can also be easier to secure than longer continuous bookings.
Have Your Details Ready Before Open Day
When bookings open, speed matters. Make sure all required information is prepared in advance so you can move quickly through the booking process.
Have the following ready:
- Preferred date range (plus backup options)
- Number of campers
- Vehicle details and registration numbers
- Towed vehicle details (caravans, camper trailers, trailers)
- Payment card details
Towed vehicles must be included because they affect campsite suitability and space requirements.
Do Your Research Ahead of Time
Before Open Day:
- Review the different Ningaloo Coast campgrounds
- Understand site suitability for your setup
- Prepare backup campground options
- Consider alternative dates
Arriving prepared and flexible gives you the strongest possible chance when demand is high.
About the Fairer Access to Camping Trial
This release forms part of the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area – Fairer access to camping trial, which aims to improve access and reduce booking frustration across this very popular stretch of coastline.
For full official details, see: Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area – Fairer access to camping trial FAQs – March update
Final Word
If Ningaloo is on your radar for late August to September 2026, mark Tuesday 3 March at 10am AWST in the calendar.
Be prepared, be patient, and with a bit of luck in the queue draw, you might just lock in that magic Ningaloo campsite.
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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.