Resource Guides and Exploration Themes for Cape Range National Park, Western Australia

Limestone plateaus and deep canyons on Western Australia's North West Cape

Cape Range National Park

Cape Range National Park protects a remarkable strip of Western Australia's coastline where ancient geological processes have created an extraordinary landscape of limestone plateaus, deep gorges, and pristine beaches. The park forms the backbone of the North West Cape peninsula, standing as the only elevated limestone plateau along this stretch of Australia's coast. Elevation reaches 314 meters at the highest points, with the terrain descending through rugged canyons carved by water erosion over millions of years. The park's creation in 1965 marked a significant achievement in Western Australia's conservation history, formalizing protection for an area that had previously supported pastoral activities beginning in the late 19th century. The surrounding Ningaloo Marine Park, declared in 1987, extends protection into the adjacent waters, creating a comprehensive conservation framework that encompasses both terrestrial and marine environments. Visitors to the park experience a landscape that transitions dramatically from arid spinifex-covered plains to lush canyon environments where permanent water sources support distinct vegetation communities.