Mesa Campground: Reefside Family Camping on the Ningaloo Coast
Perched on the northern stretch of the Ningaloo Coast, just 40 km west of Exmouth, Mesa Campground offers the kind of camping that makes you slow down and look around. For Jo, Ben, Zara and Maxine from Live Yonder, this spot in Cape Range National Park delivered everything they love from wide open skies, red cliffs that meet turquoise water, and mornings that start with snorkels instead of screens.
Why This Spot?
Mesa Campground struck the perfect balance between adventure and accessibility for the Live Yonder family. It’s one of the closest national park camps to Exmouth, yet feels completely immersed in nature. With 23 unpowered sites tucked behind the dunes overlooking a calm bay, it’s an easy stroll to swim, snorkel, or launch a small boat.
They chose Mesa for its vibrant coral gardens, ideal for snorkelling with the kids, and the chance to spot turtles, rays, and even whale sharks out on the reef.
Best Time to Visit
Spring through to early winter (April to October) is prime time on the Ningaloo. Days are warm and clear, the reef is buzzing with life, and the cooler evenings are perfect for sitting out under the stars. Mesa is extremely popular, so book up to 180 days in advance through Parks WA to secure your site.
Trip Highlights
For the Live Yonder crew, every morning brought something new, rolling straight from bed into fins and goggles, snorkelling with turtles just metres from shore, and wandering the beach at sunset with the reef glowing offshore.
A family hike through nearby Mandu Mandu Gorge offered a totally different perspective, swapping blues for the deep reds of the Cape Range cliffs. Back at camp, the kids loved the dunes behind the sites which provided hours of laughter rolling and racing down the soft sand while the ocean shimmered below.
Tips for Travellers
Mesa’s simplicity is part of its magic. Facilities are basic with just pit toilets, no power or water, so it’s important to come prepared. A fly swatter will make life more comfortable, especially on still days, and a drone is great for spotting turtles and rays from above. Sites closer to the beach offer shade and easy access to the bay, while those tucked behind the dunes feel more private.
And while it’s tempting to stay for a quick stopover, Jo and Ben recommend lingering longer. “A few days just isn’t enough, you really need time to slow down and take it all in.”
What to Pack
Bring everything you need for off-grid comfort including water, fuel, food, and snorkel gear, plus your muk mat, especially with sandy-footed kids running in and out of the van. It’s the best way to keep the beach where it belongs.
Add in your fishing gear, panko crumbs for the freshest fish dinners, and a sense of adventure, you’ll need them all.
Kid and Pet-Friendly?
Perfect for kids, not for pets. As a national park, dogs aren’t permitted, but families will love the open spaces and calm, shallow water ideal for swimming and exploring.
Final Thoughts
Mesa Campground captures everything special about Cape Range. The freedom of simple camping, the thrill of the reef, and the serenity that comes from being surrounded by raw, natural beauty. As Jo put it, “For us, it’s the mix of the bare basics with world-class beauty that keeps us coming back. There’s nothing else like it.”
Get The Mats Live Yonder Love
