Australian Outback Travel Guide

Exmouth
Outback Travel Guide

Exmouth, with a population of around 2,400 permanent residents, is found at the Northern end of the Coral Coast, around 1,260 kms from Perth. The town was originally setup as a support town for the United States Naval Base, but because of its stunning beaches, fishing and year round climate has thrived as a tourist destination, with its laid back lifestyle and endless sandy beaches.

Exmouth is the ideal base to explore the Ningaloo Reef, where you can swim and snorkel into the water from the beach and explore the vibrant coral and fish. There is also easy access to the Cape Range National Park where you can go 4WD'ing, bushwalking, in season the wildflowers are in full colour, and you can even snorkel into Ningaloo Reef from the beach.

There are many tours operating out of Exmouth offering a wide range of adventures, from swimming with the whale shark in season or game fishing after Northwest Snapper and Red Emperor. There is also plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets, from camping and caravanning right up to beachfront villas.

Exmouth Attractions

Ningaloo Reef

The Ningaloo Marine Park is 260 kms long and nearly 20kms wide out to the sea, covering an area of 5,000 square kms of ocean. There are more than 500 species of tropical fish and 250 species of Coral found within the Marine Park, and with the Park starting at Amherst Point near Coral Bay and stretching North up to Bundegi Reef near Exmouth, there is plenty of coastline for you to explore.

Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest fringing reefs in the world, allowing you in many places to walk off the beach and snorkel out to the reef. At many points the reef crest lies only 100 metres off the coast, with its furthermost point being 4kms off shore.

In season take a tour out to the reef and swim with the world's biggest fish, the whale shark. The whale sharks, which can grow up to 18 metres, normally arrive to Ningaloo Reef in March / April until June to feed on the plankton. While you are out there, keep your eye out for the giant Mantra Ray which can be up to 4 metres wide across their wings, turtles can be spotted swimming through the reef and dolphins may swim up to investigate.

Humpback Whales also can be seen migrating to their breeding grounds between May and October each year, and Pygmy Whales, Pilot Whales, Killer Whales and False Killer Whales have also been seen along the reef.

Ningaloo Marine Park

Cape Range National Park

The Cape Range National Park is 40 kms South of Exmouth and covers an area of 50,581 hectares, including 50 kms of pristine beaches. The road within the park up to Yardie Creek is sealed, however a 4WD is necessary from that point. Most of the beaches are on unsealed roads, however they are usually accessible by conventional vehicles, along with most of the tracks. Check at the Milyering Visitors Centre on road and track conditions before proceeding.

There are many spectacular attractions in the Cape Range National Park, from busk walking through the 3km walking trail in Mandu Mandu Gorge offering stunning panoramic views, to Yardie Creek, a gorge that hides a colony of black footed rock wallabies. Yardie is the only gorge in the Park that has permanent water and a tour can be booked at the Exmouth Visitor Centre to join a boat cruise through its cool depths. In late winter the park comes alive with spectacular wildflowers, including the Sturt Desert Pea and the stunning Bird Flower.

Camping is available in the park with most sites accessible by conventional vehicle. The camping sites are close to the coast so you can go swimming, snorkelling, fishing etc. There are very few facilities at the sites, but many do have toilets and picnic tables. Fires and pets are not permitted, and please ensure you take plenty of drinking water.

Cape Range National Park

Exmouth Weather - Average Temperatures and Rainfall

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. Max (°C)	38.1	37.4	36.3	33.2	28.4	24.8	24.2	26.2	29.2	32.5	34.3	36.7
Avg. Min (°C)	22.9	24.1	23.0	20.5	16.3	13.0	11.4	12.2	13.8	16.2	18.3	20.7
Avg. Rain (mm)	29.3	40.9	41.9	16.7	42.6	40.0	23.4	12.9	2.2	1.8	2.1	5.5
Avg. Rain Days	2.2	3.0	2.4	1.9	3.7	4.8	3.6	2.1	1.0	0.5	0.6	0.5