Cape Range National Park
Cape Range National Park offers unique wildlife, spectacular rocky gorges and white sandy beaches nestled alongside the cool turquoise waters of Ningaloo Marine Park. Collectively they are known as the parks of the coral coast.
The weathered limestone range rises to 314 metres above sea level, forming the spine of the peninsula stretching up to North West Cape.
A range of walk trails provide the opportunity to study up close some of the areas mangrove species and the birds that frequent them, or wander the stony bed of an ancient river now known as Mandu Mandu Gorge. The walk along the rugged limestone alongside Yardie Creek may be rewarded with a glimpse of the rare footed black wallaby sunning them selves on the opposite side before evening provides a protective cover for them to come out and feed. Their paws are adapted to the rocky terrain and they seem to almost fly across the rocks.
The Milyering Visitor Centre provides all sorts of information on Cape Range and Ningaloo including both residential reef inhabitants and those that visit on a regular basis. Whale sharks, whales, manta rays and turtles frequent the marine park and displays in the visitor centre describe their interesting biology and habits and how we can share the reef safely with them.
Delve beneath the surface of the park and find out about the unique collection of bizarre cave-dwelling animals that lurk amidst the network of caves and tunnels amidst the limestone range. This ancient treasure trove is of immense value to both science and nature, some of these species currently unidentified and many unique to Cape Range.
Wildlife is pretty abundant in Cape Range, including kangaroos, emus, echidna’s, goannas and corellas. Most seek shelter during the day and the best times to view them are early morning and late afternoon.
Aboriginal people enjoyed the bounty of the sea and are believed to have resided in caves nestled into the range.
Campgrounds are located adjacent to beaches along the coast. From here, it is often a short swim out to spectacular coral gardens. Accidents have happened so visitors need to be competent swimmers to enjoy the reef areas and read all warning signs.
The Ranges are best explored over the cooler months from April to October. Gorges have no permanent pools.