Osprey Bay campground, Ningaloo Reef, WA: Fees & facilities

The Osprey Bay campground in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia is about as close as you can get to sleeping next to the Ningaloo Reef. Facilities are minimal, and camping fees cost $11 per night.

The Osprey Bay campground is a camping area in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia. This Cape Range National Park campground gives visitors the opportunities to stay right next to the Ningaloo Reef.

Many make the mistake of thinking Exmouth – the hub town for the Ningaloo Reef – is next to the reef. It is not. From Exmouth, you have to drive around the tip of the North West Cape, then come down the Yardie Creek Road on the west of the peninsula.

It’s a half hour drive from Exmouth to the National Park pay station and three quarters of an hour to popular drift snorkelling site Turquoise Bay.

Ningaloo Reef campgrounds

If you want to stay properly close to the reef, then you have to go camping. There are several campgrounds along the Cape’s western edge. Of these, the Osprey Bay campground is arguably the best choice.

This is partly because you get the rugged red gorges of the Cape Range National Park as a backdrop and partly because Osprey Bay is one of the spots where the reef is really close to the shore.

8 amazing Exmouth experiences to book in advance.

Swim with whale sharks – using a spotter plane for maximum shark snorkelling time. This is an experience you’ll genuinely remember forever.
Ningaloo wildlife adventure – see much more than just the whale sharks.
Full day kayaking tour – stopping to snorkel at parts of the reef the boats can’t reach.
Sunset cruise – with dolphin-spotting, snacks and drinks.
Cape Range trekking adventure.
Dive on the Ningaloo Reef.
Swim with humpback whales – they come after whale shark season is over.
Kayak and snorkel with turtles.

Where is the Osprey Bay campground?

The Osprey Bay campground is on the hill just behind the Osprey Bay beach. You’re a couple of hundred metres walk from the sea here, but don’t expect luxury.

The 44 camp sites at Osprey Bay are all unpowered. And, while there sheltered picnic tables and benches plus pit toilets, in every other respect you’re going to have to be self-sufficient.

Osprey Bay campground fees

The Osprey Bay campground is run by the WA Parks and Wildlife Service. Advance booking via the Parkstay website is required. Camping fees at the Osprey Bay campground are $11 per adult and $3 per child.