Summer Archives - RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park

Ningaloo Stars offers stargazing experiences in Exmouth, showcasing the spectacular skies of Cape Range National Park. Combining ancient storytelling with modern astronomy, their guided astronomy nights provide a unique journey through the wonders of the night sky.

Exmouth is renowned as one of Australia’s premier stargazing destinations, thanks to its crystal-clear skies, minimal light pollution and clear view of the Milky Way. Whether you’re a first-time stargazer or a seasoned astronomy enthusiast, these experiences are designed to inspire and educate.

Led by knowledgeable guides, guests can observe planets, constellations and deep-sky objects through high-quality telescopes while learning about the science and stories behind what they see. Tours run for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and include individual seating, cosy blankets, complimentary hot chocolate and sweet treats for a comfortable evening under the stars.

Image credit: Tourism WA

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Exmouth offers a fantastic range of dining options, from casual brunch spots to craft breweries and upscale restaurants. Here are some of our favourites:

The Social Society Exmouth

Known for serving some of the best breakfasts in town, The Social Society is a bustling eco-conscious café and store. Their casual menu includes classic brunch favourites alongside creative options like spicy eggs with halloumi. Pair your coffee with one of their healthy treats, and you’ll find plenty of vegan options on offer too. Sink into one of the vintage couches, or take a moment to browse the curated collection of clothing, jewellery and gifts in the concept store.

Whalebone Brewing Co & Froth Craft Brewery

Exmouth is home to two craft breweries, each offering a unique experience. Froth Craft Brewery in located in the heart of town, offering a full restaurant experience with a diverse modern Australian menu. Set in a rustic shed, Whalebone offers a more laid-back vibe with gourmet pizzas served fresh from the pizza oven and outdoor seating. Both breweries feature live music throughout the week.

Whalers Restaurant

For a more upscale dining experience, head to Whalers Restaurant, located at the Exmouth Escape Resort just down the road. Dine on fresh, local seafood served poolside, and don’t miss the signature seafood platter for the ultimate gourmet experience.

BBQ Father

The BBQ Father operates as a deli and espresso bar by day and an Italian restaurant by night. Start your morning with a coffee and cake or grab a freshly made Italian sandwich to enjoy by the beach. After a day exploring Exmouth, cool off with a scoop of homemade gelato. From 5.30pm, the restaurant opens with a menu of antipasti, smoked meats, fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas, available for dine-in or takeaway back to RAC Exmouth Holiday Park.

Exhale

Visit Exhale for a fresh breakfast or return in the evening for tapas-style dining. The breakfast menu features favourites such as eggs, avocado toast, Belgian waffles and traditional French crêpes. In the evening, the menu showcases share plates made with fresh local ingredients, with many gluten-free options available. Exhale also hosts regular live music in its outdoor dining area and welcomes dogs.

Adrift Café

Located just down the road from RAC Exmouth Holiday Park, Adrift Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. The menu includes great options for kids, an impressive takeaway menu and welcome pets in their outdoor area. Bookings are recommended for larger groups.

Mutts

Start your day at Mutts with brekky burgers, toasties, açaí bowls and quality coffee before heading out to explore the Ningaloo. In the evening, the menu features smash burgers, loaded bowls, fresh salads, finger food and sweet treats. With a laid-back atmosphere, regular live music and pet-friendly spaces, it’s a great option for families and larger groups.

The Shack

Previously located at Bundegi Beach, The Shack now calls 73 Maidstone Crescent home. Fresh bread and bakery items are available daily, alongside a menu featuring Filipino favourites such as shawarma and pork adobo. Open seven days a week, it’s a great choice for a casual meal or takeaway.

Blue Lips

For a classic takeaway meal, head to Blue Lips for fish and chips made with locally sourced seafood, including Goldband Snapper and Spanish Mackerel. The menu also features burgers, kebabs and other takeaway favourites.

Cadillacs

Cadillacs is Exmouth’s country music bar, located directly across Murat Road from RAC Exmouth Holiday Park. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it serves a mix of Australian and American-inspired dishes. Catch live sport on the TVs, enjoy a game of pool or relax in the beer garden with live music. Dinner bookings are recommended during peak season.

Earlybird Café

Located in the town centre, Earlybird Café is open daily from 6am to 4pm. Known for its matcha lattes, açaí bowls, smoothies, freshly baked cookies and lunch time bánh mì. Keep an eye on their Instagram for special events, including Mexican and pasta nights.

Planet Burgers

For a late-night feed, head to the Planet Burgers food truck. Choose from burgers, souvlaki, hot dogs, loaded fries, desserts and kids’ meals. To skip the queue, order online ahead of time, takeaway or dine on their outdoor seating. After 10pm, a limited late-night menu is available to satisfy those evening cravings.

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Experience the magic of the Ningaloo reef in a memorable way with a unique glass bottom boat tour.

Learn about the living forests of coral that make up the reef and spot spectacular marine life inches from your toes through a large glass panel.

Offering everything from 1 hour coral viewing tours, half-day snorkelling tours to private exclusive tours all year-round, Ningaloo Glass Bottom Boat is sure to leave you in awe of the underwater world.

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Venture beyond the usual hotspots of Cape Range National Park by joining a small group eco-tour with the local guides from Exmouth Adventure Co.

The whole family will love the Turtle Tour, a half-day sea kayak and snorkel tour that explores the northern tides of the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, in the Bundegi Sanctuary Zone.

Keep an eye out for turtles in the shallows as you glide along in your kayak. Paddle along the wildlife-rich waters, taking breaks to dive into the water for a snorkel to explore the vibrant marine world.

For a more immersive experience, consider the full-day Kayak and Snorkel tour option, or their “Ningaloo in a Day” experience. This fully guided day tour explores the highlights of the Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park, including a guided hike at Yardie Creek Gorge, snorkel at the iconic Turquoise Bay and a freshly prepared lunch.

For the ultimate eco-adventure, enquire about a multi-day kayak expedition. These off-grid camping tours take you to world-class snorkelling sites each day, offering a unique and unforgettable way to explore the region.

Prefer to create your own adventure? Exmouth Adventure Co also offers an extensive range of hire equipment, including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and surfboards. Tours and hire services operate all year round.

Check their website for the latest tour options, availability and booking information.

Photo: Tourism Western Australia

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Visiting the SS Mildura Wreck is one of the more unique things to do in Exmouth. Located just a 15-minute drive away at the northernmost point of the North West Cape, this over 100-year-old steamship wreck remains remarkably well preserved.

The best time to visit is at low tide, when the wreck is visible above the waterline. You can walk out across the flat rock beach to get a closer view, but reef shoes are highly recommended.

Snorkelling to the wreck is also possible, though it is only advised for strong swimmers, as the currents in the area can be quite strong.

Informative plaques near the site detail the events that led to the ship’s final resting place on the reef. There are also plaques with information about the nearby Harold E. Holt Naval Communication Station, which is visible from the beach.

For facilities, toilets can be found at the nearby Bundegi Beach, just a short drive away. Consider combining your visit with a trip to the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, one of the best spots in Exmouth to watch a spectacular sunset.

Photo: Tourism Western Australia

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Exmouth is a diver’s dream, offering world-class dive sites and the chance to explore the remarkable underwater ecosystems of the Ningaloo Reef. Whether you’re looking to join a shore or boat diving tour, gain your PADI certification, or upskill on an advanced course, Exmouth offers several options for divers of all skill levels.

One of the region’s most iconic dive sites is the Exmouth Navy Pier, consistently ranked among the top 10 dive sites in Australia. This active 300-metre-long Navy Pier is teeming with vibrant marine life that thrives around the jetty pillars, but access is strictly controlled. You’ll need to book a tour with Dive Ningaloo, the only operator authorised to use the site.

Both Dive Ningaloo and Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo offer tours to the Ningaloo Reef and the nearby Muiron Islands. The Ningaloo Reef, one of the world’s largest fringing reefs, is home to over 450 species of marine life and 250 species of coral and can be easily accessed through a shore dive. A short boat ride away, the pristine Muiron Islands are a haven for scuba divers with an abundance of coral gardens, rocky ledges and caves to explore.

If you’re new to diving, Exmouth is an excellent place to get started with a PADI dive course, while experienced divers can take their skills to the next level with specialty courses.

All tours include gear, or divers are welcome to bring their own equipment if they prefer. Family-friendly snorkelling tours are also available.

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Discover the only permanent creek in Cape Range National Park – the ancient and picturesque Yardie Creek Gorge. Located at the southernmost end of the park, it’s about an hour’s drive from RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park.

Explore Yardie Creek Gorge with two walking trails suited to different levels:

Yardie Nature Trail (1.2 km return): This gentle, family-friendly trail provides glimpses of the gorge, the creek mouth, and sweeping views across the sparkling Ningaloo Reef.
Yardie Creek Gorge Trail (2 km return): This longer and steeper trail offers spectacular vistas of the rich red gorge walls. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife, including eagles soaring overhead and shy rock wallabies perched in the shade of the rocks.

For a more relaxing way to experience the gorge, hop aboard a Yardie Creek Boat Tour, an eco-cruise along the tranquil creek. This one-hour shaded tour is guided by a knowledgeable local, providing fascinating insights into the park’s flora, fauna, and history. The calm waters and leisurely pace make it perfect for all ages.

Boat tours typically depart up to twice daily during peak season and once daily at other times of the year from the Yardie Creek jetty near the campground. Advance bookings are recommended and can be made online.

National Park entrance fees apply for Cape Range National Park.

Photo: Tourism Western Australia

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Tucked away on the coastal side of Cape Range National Park, 50 minutes from RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park, Mandu Mandu Gorge offers a moderately challenging 3-kilometre loop trail.

The hike begins with a walk along a dry riverbed, its white, water-smoothed pebbles contrasting with the ochre-hued cliffs. As you ascend the gorge cliff face, you’ll be rewarded at the top with panoramic views of the sparkling blue Indian Ocean in the distance and the ancient creek bed below.

With little to no shade along the trail, it’s best to start your hike in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for black-flanked rock wallabies and ospreys circling overhead. The uneven terrain makes sturdy footwear essential, and as there are no facilities at the site, ensure you bring plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks.

After your hike, cool off with a swim at the nearby Oyster Stacks, a fantastic snorkelling spot, or head ten minutes further south to Sandy Bay, where calm, turquoise waters and white sandy shores await.

National Park entry fees apply.

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While many visitors to Exmouth flock to the stunning beaches and world-class snorkelling spots on the western side of Cape Range National Park, the eastern side is also waiting to be explored with its rugged landscapes and dramatic canyons.

Charles Knife Gorge is accessible via a 2WD drive along a steep, winding road that leads to the Thomas Carter Lookout, offering panoramic views over the shimmering waters of the Exmouth Gulf. This is a breathtaking spot for sunrise or sunset, as the canyon walls glow in hues of gold and burgundy with the first or last light of the day.

From the lookout, you can access the Badjirrajirra Walk Trail, an 8 km loop that winds along the top of the range. This moderately challenging hike takes you through rocky paths and scruffy bushland, offering spectacular views over Shothole Canyon. The trail is best tackled during winter, when cooler temperatures and blooming wildflowers add to the experience.

For a more rugged adventure, explore Shothole Canyon by driving the 4WD-only track that runs along the base of the gorge. This scenic trail takes you deep into the canyon, offering a close-up look at the striking geological features and access to several lookout areas.

There are no facilities, so come prepared with plenty of water and adequate shade protection. National Park entry fees apply.

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You’re truly spoilt for choice when it comes to snorkelling in Exmouth, home to some of Western Australia’s best snorkelling spots in Cape Range National Park. With vibrant coral and waters teeming with marine life, these locations are must-visits when in Exmouth.
Turquoise Bay

Turquoise Bay

Dubbed one of the world’s best beaches, and undoubtedly one of the best in Australia, Turquoise Bay is a snorkeller’s paradise. Just footsteps from the white sand beach, you’ll find abundant coral, huge bommies and thriving marine life – including turtles if you’re lucky!

Turquoise Bay’s Drift Loop is one of the most well-known snorkelling areas – enter the water at the southern end of the beach, let the current glide you along the reef to the north as you admire the vibrant underwater world. Be careful to exit before you reach the northern sandbar, as the tides here can be quite strong.

Oyster Stacks

Oyster Stacks is a unique snorkelling site that can only be explored at high tide, when there’s enough water over the reef. Check tide charts in advance or refer to the signs at the beach entrance. Be mindful of the sharp rocks at the beach entry – reef shoes will come in handy!

Lakeside

The snorkelling area is marked by yellow markers on the beach and two floating buoys, reached via a 500-metre walk across the sand. Don’t let the extra effort to reach the snorkel spot put you off, as you’ll find amazing coral and marine life here to rival Oyster Stacks.

Facilities at these beaches are typically limited to picnic tables and toilets, so come prepared with plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks to fuel your adventure.
Snorkelling equipment is available for hire from Reception.

National Park entrance fees apply.

Photo: Tourism Western Australia

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