The Cape Range National Park covers over 50,000 hectares and is 30 kilometres south west of Exmouth and is located on the western side of the North West Cape. The park is a contrast of tranquil beaches, spectatular canyons and rugged terrain.

Geologically, the Cape Range is an upward fold of limestone originally formed below the sea level. Erosion of the limestone has gouged vast canyons in the sides of the range and subsequent deposition of the eroded material along each side of the range has helped build up coastal plains. 

An amazing national park with 50kms of pristine beaches, deep canyons and rugged limestone ranges. Wildlife is abundant with emus, red kangaroos and euros. The northern boundary of the park is 40kms from the town of Exmouth. The park is divided into the West and East sides.

Two roads run from Learmonth to Exmouth Road into the range from the eastern side. Shothole Canyon road winds along the bottom of shothole canyon, while the Charles Knife Road runs along a razor-back ridge head at the end of the road. A five kilometre walking trail connects the two canyons.

Shothole Canyon

16kms south of Exmouth on the Minilya to Exmouth road is the turnoff to Shothole Canyon. Named after the explosive charges set up to create miniature earthquakes for seismographic studies during the oil searches in the 1950's. There is a picnic area at the end of the 15km road and a short walking trail. The canyon road provides easy access into one of the many spectacular gorges in Cape Range. The sheer canyon walls exhibit colourful rock layers.

Charles Knife Canyon

23kms south of Exmouth you turn west off the Minilya to Exmouth road into Charles Knife Canyon. The road follows the knife edge ridges of the range and provides spectacular views down into and over the canyons and over the gulf, especially stunning during sunset or sunrise as the natural light highlights the colours of the canyon walls contrasting against shadows produced by the ridges.

This road is partly unsealed and can be described as undulating and uneven. The normal family type sedan and motor home can travel along this road surface without trouble however it is advisable to travel at a reduced speed for the more uneven sections. SUV's and 4 wheel drive vehicles are more suitable

Traveling down the west side of the Cape Range National Park - The road from Exmouth around the end of the cape passes close to Naval communication towers and Vlaming Head Lighthouse and continues down the western coast for the full length of the National Park.

Normally a sand bar covers the entrance to Yardie Creek, which can only be crossed by four wheel drive vehicles.

Short spur roads take you to numerous picnic spots and campsites along the coast and one track leads to the mouth of Mandu Mandu Gorge.

A highlight of any visit to this park is Yardie Creek where deep blue water, cut off from the sea by a sandbar on the coast, lies imprisoned between vertical cliffs giving one the impression of a semi-tropical fjord. Take time to walk along the cliff tops and keep an eye open for rock wallabies, and prolific birdlife, which are found in the gorge.