Stans Camp is a small, seasonal campground overlooking the Pelican Sanctuary Zone of Ningaloo Marine Park. The shoreline here is part of a special purpose zone where shore-based fishing is permitted, and the site offers basic facilities for self-sufficient travellers with 4WD vehicles.
Stans Camp is 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. Expect space, quiet and views rather than comfort or facilities.
Overview
- Open during peak season only
- Bookings must be made online in advance
- One booking per campsite – group bookings across a single site are not permitted
- Booking availability:
- Up to 180 days before arrival
- Same-day bookings possible (subject to site availability and internet access)
- Stay limits:
- 14 nights if overlapping with WA school holidays
- 28 nights at other times
- Outdoor education groups or tour operators must enquire through Milyering Discovery Centre
Campsites
- 14 unpowered campsites with compacted gravel surfaces
- Sites vary in size – check the map and individual site details before booking
Facilities
- A chemical toilet dump point is provided
- Campers must bring:
- A sealed-unit chemical or composting toilet
- All drinking water and personal hygiene supplies
- Firewood and rubbish bags – no bins or water on site
Campground Rules
- Bag-based toilets and burying waste are not allowed
- Use the dump point for chemical toilet waste only
- Composting toilet waste must be removed from the park
- Campfires permitted in personal fire rings when conditions allow (April to October)
- Fires not allowed on days of HIGH fire danger or above – check Emergency WA
- Firewood must be brought in – collection within the reserve is prohibited
- Dogs allowed but must remain on a leash
- Generator use is permitted
- No ATVs or unlicensed off-road vehicles permitted
Fees
- A per-person camping fee applies
- No vehicle entry fee is charged for Nyinggulu Coastal Reserves
- Payment must be made online via Mastercard or VISA
- No booking fee
- Cancellations or date changes may attract fees, especially during:
- 4–19 July
- 26 September – 11 October
Access and Location
- Located 42 km south of Coral Bay
- High-clearance 4WD with low-range gearing required
- Access via soft sand track – tyre pressure must be reduced
- No facilities available to reinflate tyres on exit
- Use Main Roads WA Travel Map for route planning
Safety and Preparation
- No power, water, bins, or hygiene facilities provided
- Campers must bring all essential supplies including:
- Water, food, fuel, first aid, and weather-appropriate gear
- Conditions may include:
- Extreme heat (Dec–Apr)
- Cyclones (Nov–Apr)
- Storms (May–Oct)
- Check Emergency WA for fire danger ratings and alerts before travelling
Why Stay at Stans Camp?
- Quiet, seasonal site for off-grid camping near a sanctuary zone
- Ideal for 4WD travellers seeking beach access and fishing opportunities
- Great for travellers looking to escape crowds and enjoy simple, coastal camping
What People Say About Stans Camp
The positives
- Quiet fallback option – commonly described as a good Plan B when other camps are booked.
- Large bays – plenty of room for bigger caravans to manoeuvre.
- Views still decent – even without direct beach access, some reviewers still liked the outlook.
- Less crowded – because most travellers prefer the coastal camps, it can feel empty.
The downsides
- Not a beach camp – rocky shoreline, difficult fishing and generally not suitable for swimming or kids playing.
- Very basic ground – flat, hard, uneven dirt rather than sand.
- Little privacy – sites are close together despite large surrounding land.
- No boat launching – not suited to water access activities.
Access and conditions
- Corrugated 4WD track – about 14 km in, tyres down recommended.
- Flies – mentioned more than once.
- Fully self contained only – no facilities at all.
- Dogs allowed on leads
Best Fit For
Travellers who just need a place to stay near Ningaloo when the main camps are full, or large rigs wanting easier manoeuvring space than tighter beachfront camps.
Might Not Suit If
You want swimming, snorkelling straight from camp, shade, comfort, or a scenic beachfront experience. This one is about practicality, not atmosphere.
Want to Stay at Stans Camp (Overflow Camp)?
More Beautiful Locations
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.