Exploring the Ningaloo Coast

9 Nights of Beach Hopping in Paradise

If you’re seeking an unforgettable adventure in Western Australia, look no further than Ningaloo. We recently embarked on an incredible journey, spending 9 glorious nights exploring this stunning coastal region. Our trip included 3 nights each at South Lefroy, North Lefroy, and Winderabandi. In this article, we’ll share our experiences, providing valuable insights for fellow travelers considering a visit to Ningaloo. 

Booking the campsites

Bookings can be made 180 days ahead on the WA Parks Website. Search for Nyinggulara National Park (ex-Ningaloo) and the dates you would like to book. If you would like to see which campgrounds are available within a block of time, select the dates (eg. 1st-30th May) and it will show you which campgrounds have availability during that month. Once you choose the campground, you can narrow it down to find out which dates are available. If your plans change, it is easy to cancel your booking and get a refund.

Navigating the Roads

Minilya-Exmouth Road and turn left onto Ningaloo Rd (blue line)

Our journey to Ningaloo began with a 50-kilometer drive on a corrugated compact sand road, starting from Carnarvon. We lowered our tire pressure to 25psi and proceeded cautiously, as the road conditions varied. It was a bumpy ride, taking just over 1.5 hours. Upon reaching the entrance of South Lefroy, we further reduced our tire pressure to 15psi and navigated a soft, winding sand track to site 12. While we managed to avoid getting bogged down, we understood why it’s a common occurrence for others.

Yardie Creek Road (yellow line)

We traversed Yardie Creek Road twice during our trip. The first time was for a day trip to Yardie and Oyster Stacks with just our car. The second time, we were towing our 3-ton caravan. This road spans 25 kilometers and offers a mix of road conditions, including corrugated, soft sand, and hard, smooth stretches. The road is narrow and winding in parts. When traveling with only our car, we maintained a tire pressure of 25psi, which worked fine. However, while towing the caravan, we encountered a challenging section of super soft sand and got bogged down. After lowering our tire pressure, using max trax, and a few attempts, we successfully navigated this obstacle. Yardie Creek crossing, which has been dry for about six months, presented no issues, as it’s a simple soft sand crossing. However, there is no signal at the campsites, except for some 4G signal at Yardie Creek.

South Lefroy: Snorkelling Paradise

Our stay at South Lefroy, particularly at site 12, exceeded our expectations. Positioned right on the beach, at the end of the beachfront sites and adjacent to a sand dune, it provided some wind protection. Although we experienced a few windy moments, they were manageable. The snorkelling approximately 100 meters off the beach, between sites 9 and 14, was simply spectacular. Swimming there multiple times, we encountered reef sharks, stingrays, turtles, abundant fish, and stunning coral formations. The current in this area is quite strong, allowing you to swim out and then float back with the current. Snorkeling closer to shore also offers great views, with plenty of fish around, particularly near the dark patches of coral. We even managed to catch some fish off the beach in front of site 14. Evening campfires and breathtaking sunsets added to the magic of South Lefroy.

North Lefroy: A Peaceful Retreat

Our North Lefroy experience, at site 21, was marked by its vast size and privacy. While we didn’t have success with fishing or find suitable snorkeling spots without a boat, the generous nature of fellow campers brightened our stay. A kind individual shared some freshly caught fish with us, making for a memorable evening. The first night was incredibly windy, almost making us feel as though we might be blown away. We took a day trip to Yardie Creek, enjoyed a walk along the gorge, and explored Oyster Stacks, which offered fantastic snorkeling and a kid-friendly environment for swimming.What truly made North Lefroy special was the chance to make new friends. Our kids had a blast playing with others, and the enchanting sunsets over the beach were an added bonus.

Winderabandi: Beachfront Bliss

Our site at Winderabandi, number 6, was situated in a row of sites right on the beach. While it wasn’t the most private spot, we cherished the beachfront location. Fortunately, we were blessed with excellent weather, despite hearing that it had been quite windy in the days leading up to our arrival. We received a tip to paddle out to the edge of the reef and snorkel along the reef wall, and this advice led to an incredible experience. On the second day, while paddling, we had the privilege of witnessing a massive whale leaping behind the waves, a truly extraordinary moment. It’s worth noting that the wind can change rapidly at all three of these spots, often shifting in different directions, making it somewhat unpredictable. Over our 9-day stay, we managed our water supply efficiently, even having some left over. As a family of four, we brought 2 x 90L tanks, 2 x 20L jerry cans, and 4 slabs of bottled water for drinking. Rinsing our dishes with seawater and taking 10-second showers helped conserve water resources.If you have any further questions or need more details about our adventure, please feel free to ask. We’re here to help and share the wonder of Ningaloo with fellow travelers. Happy exploring! 🏖️