If you love solitude, amazing landscapes, and vast open spaces, you’re going to love Western Australia. This amazing land, and the northwest in particular, is often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’. It’s a land of endless remote possibilities and nowhere showcases this better than the amazing array of national parks. From the rugged gorges of Karijini in the north to the pristine beaches of Cape Range in the south, Western Australia’s national parks are as varied as they are spectacular. Not only do the national parks showcase the area’s amazing geology, flora, and fauna, but they also provide an opportunity to connect with Australia’s rich indigenous heritage.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at the 10 best national parks in Western Australia. We’ll examine where they are, what the best things are to see, and when is the best time to visit. If you’re planning a trip to Western Australia in the near future, this information will help you plan the trip of a lifetime.
Western Australia is home to an astonishing 112 national parks. The quantity and quality of these parks are on par with anywhere in the world and have made the task of picking the ten best pretty challenging. However, we’re not one to sit on the fence, so here are your 10 best national parks in Western Australia:
Cape Le Grand National Park is a coastal paradise on Western Australia’s southern coast, located to the east of Esperance. Its pristine beaches, large granite peaks, and excellent walking trails make it one of the State’s most popular parks. The excellent beaches in the park are too numerous to name, but Lucky Bay, Thistle Cove, and Hellfire Bay rank as some of the best beaches in the Esperance region. As well as beachgoers, the park is popular with hikers who come to scale some of the large rock outcrops, such as Mount Le Grand (345m) and Frenchmen Peak (262m). The views from the summit of these outcrops are sensational.
All the best things to do in Cape Le Grand National Park revolve around the park’s beaches and myriad hiking trails. Here are some of the best things to see and do in the park:
Lucky Bay: Famous for its pure white sand and clear turquoise waters, Lucky Bay is a must-see. Watch for kangaroos lounging on the beach—a unique and iconic sight that draws many visitors. the beach is drivable, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective.
Frenchman Peak: Hiking to the summit of Frenchman Peak is rewarding for the panoramic views and also the hike itself, passing through various unique rock formations.
Hellfire Bay: Another picturesque beach known for its stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters. The contrast of the red granite boulders against the white sand and azure waters creates a mesmerizing landscape.
Cape Le Grand Lookout: Offering sweeping views of the surrounding coastline, this lookout provides an excellent vantage point to appreciate the park’s rugged beauty and the expanse of the Southern Ocean.
Thistle Cove: This secluded and serene beach is nestled between rocky headlands, offering a quieter and more peaceful atmosphere compared to some of the busier beaches in the park. The calm waters and stunning scenery make it a hidden gem.
To experience Cape Le Grand National Park at its finest, try to visit during the spring or autumn seasons. These periods offer more comfortable temperatures for beach activities and hiking. You’ll also experience fewer crowds than at the peak of summer. A further benefit is that spring brings an explosion of color during the wildflower season, while autumn boasts fall colors.
Winters in Cape Le Grand tend to be cooler with higher rainfall, while the summer months can sometimes be unbearably hot. Check out our guide on the best time to visit the nearby town of Esperance for a more detailed view.
Situated on the Peron Peninsula on Western Australia’s Coral Coast, Francois Peron National Park is remote, untouched, and spectacularly beautiful. The park falls within the larger Shark Bay World Heritage Site and is approximately 726 km north of Perth. This secluded expanse of land encompasses a rugged coastline, white sand beaches, vivid red dunes, and a thriving marine ecosystem.
Francois Peron National Park is home to a little bit of history, some spectacular views, and a wealth of beaches and marine life. Most attractions in the park incorporate one or more of these ingredients.
Big Lagoon: This exquisite lagoon features stunning turquoise waters and white sandy beaches against a background of fiery red sand dunes. The shallow waters teem with marine life, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling.
Skipjack Point: A visit to Skipjack Point is a must and offers sweeping views of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. It’s one of the best places in the park to see wildlife, including dolphins, turtles, dugongs, sharks, and manta rays.
Peron Homestead Precinct: This historic building dates back to the early part of the twentieth century and has now been converted into a visitor and interpretive center. As well as the buildings, there’s a good walking trail and a rustic hot tub to enjoy.
Fishing – The waters surrounding Shark Bay are prolific for anglers, and the same is true of Francois Peron National Park. Big Lagoon, Bottle Bay, and Herald Bright rank amongst some of the best beaches to fish from.
The best time to visit Francois Peron National Park is during the cooler months, from April to October. These months provide more comfortable temperatures for exploring and outdoor activities. Temperatures are typically in the low to mid-twenties, although it is cooler overnight. As well as more amenable temperatures, you’ll also find calmer winds and fewer crowds.
In contrast, November to March brings much higher temperatures, often reaching 40°C during the peak summer months. With very little shade in the park, these temperatures can become overbearing. Visitor numbers are highest across December and January when the park sees an influx of families during the summer school vacations.
The park is best known for its dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and hiking trails. These all feature prominently in the best things to do in Karijini National Park:
Gorge Exploration: Explore the incredible gorges such as Hancock, Weano, Joffre, and Dales Gorge. Each gorge has its unique features, from serene rock pools to stunning waterfalls. Hancock Gorge is perhaps the most spectacular, where towering walls of red rock encase the enchanting Kermit’s Pool. You’ll need to venture through tunnels and narrow pathways to get there.
Swimming in Rock Pools: You can enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural rock pools found within the gorges. Fern, Circular Pool, and Fortescue Falls all offer fantastic spots to cool off amidst breathtaking scenery.
Hiking Trails: The park features various hiking trails of varying difficulty. You can trek along trails that wind through gorges, along ridges, and to viewpoints with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Hamersley Gorge: Visit Hamersley Gorge to see the stunning Spa Pool, a naturally formed rock pool with a small waterfall. The vibrant colors of the rocks and the serene water make it one of the park’s most photographed spots.
To experience Karijini National Park at its finest, you should plan your visit during the cooler months of late autumn, winter and early spring. This period from April to October sees milder temperatures, which makes hiking and exploring the park far more comfortable. This period also sees lower rainfall reducing the risk of flash flooding in the gorges.
If you visit during autumn you’ll see the parks waterfalls at pools at their best following the wetter summer season. Alternativelky a Spring visit brings vibrant wildflowers, adding a pop of color to the rugged landscape. Check out our best time to visit Karijini guide for a more in-depth view.
Located in the center of Australia’s west coast, Kalbarri National Park offers a diverse range of landscapes across its vast 1,830 km2 territory. The park combines large swathes of bushland with sweeping gorges, towering coastal cliffs, and rugged terrain. The park is also home to some of Western Australia’s most iconic sights, such as Nature’s Window and the view from the lookout over the Z-Bend.
The park’s other big attraction is the wealth of activities on offer. There are countless hiking and nature trails to explore, plenty of opportunities to get on and in the water, plus abseiling and climbing. If you’re looking for a great all-round experience, then Kalbarri National Park could be it.
The breadth of attractions and activities available in Kalbarri National Park makes it a destination where you can easily spend a few days or more. The following are some of the best things to see and do in Kalbarri National Park:
Nature’s Window: This iconic sandstone arch provides a natural frame for stunning views of the Murchison River Gorge. It’s a must-see spot and a fantastic photo opportunity.
Z-Bend Lookout: Visit the Z-Bend Lookout for one of the best views in the park. The lookout provides breathtaking views of the winding Murchison River as it cuts through the landscape.
Hiking and Nature Trails: Kalbarri has many trails of varying difficulty across various terrains. Often, these trails lead to parts of the park inaccessible by vehicles. You can hike to gorges, across clifftops, and along riverbanks. Probably the best known is the River Trail, which spectacularly passes through the gorge below the Z-Bend Lookout.
Red Bluff and Coastal Cliffs: You can enjoy panoramic views of the Indian Ocean from the Red Bluff headland. The coastal cliffs here offer a spectacular vantage point for watching the beautiful sunset.
Swimming and Snorkeling: Regardless of when you visit the park, you’re going to break a sweat. The great news is you can cool off by taking a dip in the Murchison River at various designated swimming spots near the mouth of the river. Some of these areas are also good for snorkeling so don’t forget to pack a mask.
Kalbarri enjoys a wonderful year-round climate with warm, sunny weather throughout the year and relatively modest rainfall. This means there’s really no bad time to visit the park, although we’d suggest the cooler and wetter winter weather makes this season the least desirable.
One factor which may impact your decision on when to visit is the wind. As anyone who has visited will attest, the seemingly endless wind that blows through spring and summer can impact on your enjoyment of the park. This is especially true in coastal areas. This makes the autumn the best season to visit. Not only are temperatures perfect for outdoor activities, but the winds notably drop from their peak in the summer months.
Our guide on the best time to visit Kalbarri gives a more comprehensive view of what to expect during each season.
Just over 200 km north of Perth is Nambung National Park, home to the Pinnacles, Western Australia’s most recognizable sight. These limestone pillars rise up from the surrounding sandy Pinnacles Desert and are a spectacular attraction. There’s no better time to see this otherworldly landscape than at sunrise or sunset when they are at their majestic best.
While the Pinnacles are synonymous with Nambung National Park, there are other noteworthy things to see. The coastal dunes are a great landscape to explore, and the beaches at Kangaroo Point and the humorously named Hangover Bay are beautiful.
Let’s be honest: it’s the Pinnacles that bring visitors to Nambung National Park. However, while you’re there, don’t miss out on some of the other excellent attractions on offer. Here are the best things to do in Nambung National Park:
Pinnacles Desert: Explore the otherworldly landscape of the Pinnacles. These unique limestone formations rise from the yellow desert sands. They are the weathered and eroded remains of limestone beds, and some stand up to 3.5 meters tall. There are various walking and driving routes through these unique formations, with the 4.5-kilometer-long Pinnacle Loop Drive the most popular.
Lake Thetis Thrombalites: Lake Thetis is a saline lake just outside of Cervantes and a great location to see thrombolites, unique formations created by microbial communities. These living structures offer a glimpse into Earth’s early life.
4WD Safari: You can explore the park’s vast expanses and off-road tracks via a 4WD safari, which offers access to some remote and less-visited areas.
Hangover Bay and Kangaroo Point: Take a scenic drive or hike to Hangover Bay and Kangaroo Point. These coastal areas offer beautiful beaches, sand dunes, and the chance to spot wildlife like kangaroos and seabirds.
Nambung National Park is a year-round destination that offers a fairly consistent experience through the different seasons. The most popular time to visit is late winter and early spring, from August to October. During this season, the park’s wildflowers bloom, bringing some color to the areas surrounding the desert. Temperatures at this time of year are also more amenable if you plan to visit during the daytime.
Regardless of which season you choose to visit, you should always try to see the Pinnacles at dawn or dusk. The colors and shadows created by the rising or setting sun make it a magical experience and one you won’t forget.
Located immediately to the east of the town of Bremer Bay, Fitzgerald National Park is a sanctuary for biodiversity and untouched wilderness. The vast park spans over 330,000 hectares and features a diverse landscape. Within the park, you can experience picture-perfect beaches, rugged cliffs, mountains and valleys, heathlands, and sand plains. It’s this richness of landscape that has seen the area designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
There is plenty to see and do in Fitzgerald River National Park, spanning a whole range of fitness levels. So whether you plan to flop on a perfect remote beach for the day or scale one or more of the park’s rocky peaks, you won’t be disappointed. Here are some of the best things to see and do:
Hiking Trails: Explore some of the various trails, like the East Mount Barren Summit Walk, the Coastal Trail, Quoin Head Trail, or the West Mount Barren Trail. While each walk offers something a little different, they all share stunning views and diverse landscapes in common. Best of all, many trails pass close to one or more beaches, allowing you to cool off after your exertions.
Wildlife Watching: You can spot rare and unique wildlife in the park, including the endangered western ground parrot, Humpback, and Southern Right whales (from July to November), and other native animals such as kangaroos and echidnas.
Hit the Beach: The park is home to many beautiful beaches, including Point Ann Beach, Misery Beach, and Barrens Beach. In many cases, you’ll have the whole beach to yourself. The different beaches offer opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and surfing.
Wildflower Viewing: The park’s rich biodiversity means that wildflower season in the spring is a spectacular experience. It’s one of the best places in Western Australia to see wildflowers in bloom, both in terms of the quantity and the diversity of flowers.
The best time to visit Fitzgerald National Park is late spring or early autumn. These periods strike the right balance between milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and lower visitor numbers. Typically, it’s still warm enough to enjoy the beaches but without being excessively hot. There’s also the added benefit of wildflower season and whale watching in the spring and fall colors in the autumn.
While the peak tourist season falls across the summer months, and in particular December and January, it can often be too hot at this time to enjoy the parks many trails. The park is also notably busier over the school summer holidays. While it’s still a good time to visit, we’d suggest visiting either side of summer if possible.
The spectacular and remote Cape Range National Park stretches along the North West Cape peninsula. The park blends rugged landscapes with pristine shores that look out onto the Ningaloo Reef, another amazing attraction in its own right. The park covers 506 km², an area that includes limestone ranges, ancient gorges, and some of the country’s most exquisite beaches. If you’ve made it this far, you simply have to see the likes of Charles Knife Canyon, Shothole Canyon, Yardie Creek Gorge, and Mandu Mandu Gorge, which rank amongst the most dramatic landscapes in the state.
Cape Range National Park is renowned for its beaches, gorges, and canyons. These attractions all feature highly on the best things to see and do in this wonderful national park. Here are 5 of the best:
Turquoise Bay: Visitors come to Turquoise Bay to experience the renowned drift snorkel, where the gentle current carries snorkelers over exquisite coral formations teeming with marine life. As well as the snorkeling, there’s a pristine sandy beach to relax on.
Enjoy the Beaches: Some of the park’s beaches rank amongst the best in Australia. They’re great for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and beachcombing. Yardie Creek and Oyster Stacks offer some of the most picturesque beach locations in the park.
Hiking Adventures: The park’s undulating landscape provides many opportunities to seek spectacular viewpoints. Many of the best hiking trails pass through the likes of Mandu Mandu Gorge and Charles Knife Canyon. As well as excellent views, there’s a good chance you’ll see native wildlife along the way.
Yardie Creek Gorge: The beauty of Yardie Creek Gorge is undeniable, and you can experience it by taking a boat tour or hiking along one of the trails. If you’ve worked up a sweat seeing the gorge, you can always cool off at the excellent nearby beach.
Ningaloo Reef: While technically in a separate marine park and not in Cape Range National Park, it would be remiss of us not to mention the Ningaloo Reef. This mesmerizing underwater world is full of vibrant corals, tropical fish, turtles, and potentially even majestic whale sharks or humpback whales during their seasonal migrations.
With hot year-round temperatures and nominal rainfall, it’s best to plan your visit to Cape Range National Park during the cooler months, from April to October. Outside of this period, it’s often too hot to make the most of the outdoor activities on offer. These cooler months offer more comfortable temperatures for activities such as hiking, snorkeling, and spotting the local wildlife. Our guide to the best time to visit the nearby town of Exmouth gives a far more comprehensive overview.
In the southern part of the state and close to the city of Albany, Stirling Range National Park offers some of the best bushwalking in Western Australia. The park’s defining feature is the Sterling Mountain range which stretches for 65 km across the park. The highest peak, Bluff Knol, stands at 1059 meters above sea level. The park’s relative altitude to the surrounding areas has made it a rich biodiverse area, with many endemic plants only found within the parks boundaries.
Let’s make no bones about it: the big draw to Stirling Range National Park is the mountain range. However, there are a number of ways to enjoy the park, and you don’t have to be scaling the summits to make this a rewarding visit. Here are some of the best things to see and do in the park:
Bluff Knoll: As the highest peak in the range, Bluff Knoll is an inevitable draw for most visitors. It’s easy enough to to hike to the summit and the stunning views of the surrounding landscape more than justify the effort.
Hiking Trails: There’s a vast range of hiking trails in the park that cater to all different fitness levels. Mount Trio, Toolbrunup, and the Talyuberlup trail all offer some of the best bushwalking and traverse diverse landscapes with exceptional views.
Wildflower Season: You can witness an incredible display of wildflowers during the spring months from August to November. The park is home to over 1,500 species of vibrant wildflowers, and they’re best seen during this season.
As bushwalking is the primary reason to visit and the most common activity in the park, it’s generally best to visit during the cooler season. Running between April and October, this season has the perfect conditions for exploring the park’s many trails. The exceptional wildflower blooms in the spring period between August and October make this the optimum time to visit the park and experience it at its very best.
Wolfe Creek National Park, located in the Kimberley region, is a site of rugged beauty and cultural significance. At its heart lies Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater, one of the largest meteorite impact craters in the world, estimated to be around 300,000 years old. The crater measures approximately 880 meters in diameter and is an impressive sight.
The park boasts a diverse landscape featuring vast plains, rocky outcrops, and unique flora and fauna adapted to the harsh desert environment. Visitors can explore the park through many walking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding scenery. The area’s Aboriginal heritage is also significant, with the Djaru and Jaru indigenous peoples having a deep connection to the land, reflected in the site’s cultural importance.
The park’s remote location and desert setting means limited facilities and activities are available within the park. However, this is part of the attraction for many visitors, and the solitude and exceptional landscape are the reasons to visit. Here are the best things to do in Wolfe Creek National Park:
Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater: The highlight of the park is undoubtedly the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater. This impressive crater is one of the largest meteorite impact sites in the world, measuring 880 meters in diameter. Circumnavigating the crater rim allows you to take in breathtaking views and get a true perspective on this geological marvel.
Walking Trails: You can experience the rugged beauty of the Australian outback by taking in one of the parks walking trails. The Wolfe Creek Crater Rim Walk is by far the most popular and offers panoramic views of the crater and surrounding landscape. Regardless of the season, be sure to carry water and sun protection, as the area can get very hot and there’s very little shade.
Stargazing: With its remote location and minimal light pollution, Wolfe Creek National Park is a fantastic spot for stargazing. The clear night skies offer incredible views of the stars and planets.
The exceptionally remote location of Wolfe Creek means that it’s advisable to only visit during the cooler period between May and November. This period falls over the Australian late autumn, winter, and early spring. Even during this time, temperatures can hit 35°C or higher during the middle of the day. With few facilities and little shade, it can be an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous place to visit. The parks remote locations means it never gets too busy so you shouldn’t need to worry about too many crowds.
Our final park is Purnululu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Kimberley region. The park is the largest on this list and covers an area of nearly 240,000 hectares. The vast park is renowned for its stunning landscape, characterized by the iconic beehive-shaped sandstone formations known as the Bungle Bungle Range. This unique geological feature, formed over millions of years through the erosion of sedimentary rocks, displays vibrant orange and black stripes caused by algae and varying layers of sediment.
The park’s unique and stunning geological features are what draws visitors to the area. Whether you’re hiking, on a 4WD tour, or taking a scenic flight, this is the reason for your visit. These geological features all feature prominently in the best things to see and do in Purnululu National Park:
Bungle Bungle Range: The iconic highlight of the park, the Bungle Bungle Range, is a must-see. You can hike the trails that wind through the range’s beehive-shaped domes to admire these mesmerizing striped sandstone formations up close.
Cathedral Gorge: The exceptional Cathedral Gorge is a natural amphitheater formed by towering red cliffs. This space’s acoustics and sheer beauty make it an incredible place to visit. Guided tours are highly recommended and help explain the area’s geological and cultural significance.
Echidna Chasm: You can walk through the narrow, towering walls of Echidna Chasm, a spectacular natural cleft in the Bungle Bungle Range. The sheer height and unique formations within this stunning gorge make it one of the best hikes in the park.
Piccaninny Creek: One of the trails that takes in a number of different landscapes is the hike along Piccaninny Creek, where you can witness the extraordinary striped sandstone formations up close. This trail also passes by dry creek beds and lush greenery in the midst of the gorges.
Scenic Flights: Consider taking a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Range for an amazing aerial view of the unique formations. This perspective allows you to appreciate the vastness and intricacies of the landscape.
The best time to visit Purnululu National Park is during the period of May through August. This period, which largely falls across the Australian winter, follows the end of the wet season in March. During this wet season, the park is closed and inaccessible. The reason to hold off visiting until May is that temperatures and humidity have significantly dropped by this time, making a visit far more comfortable. The park remains green and vibrant at this time, and daytime temperatures are a more comfortable 30°C.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this guide. You can find many more guides on exciting destinations in Australia, as well as the USA and many other countries.
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