May 1, 2026

Inside this newsletter👉 The bucket-list stay (it's in the dunes, next to the reef) The best option right on the beach Our pick for families The classic Exmouth pub (yes, it has rooms!) The most important booking tip we can give you

How are you?

Hi from Adelaide still... if you receive our caravan emails also, you might have seen that we are getting our new van in July! Yay! Almost time to travel again! If you don't, and would like to receive our weekly caravan emails, just click here, and I can add you to the list - Tim writes about all the caravan tech stuff to make life easy :)

You may have seen in the news all about the Ningaloo and Exmouth and the effects that tropical cyclones can have. Luckily, this time it wasn't too bad, and most operators are returning to their usual. If you're thinking about an Exmouth trip, now's the time to book.

Fuel prices are lower at the moment, and tourism helps keep places like the Ningaloo open for visitors, so let's have a look:

A town with a fascinating backstory

One of the things I love most about Exmouth is that the town itself has a really interesting history — it's not just a pretty place to look at.

Before it became a tourist destination famous for whale shark swims, Exmouth was a naval base for submarine communications. The American Navy had a big presence here, and you can still feel that influence all around town today. That quirky USA vibe I noticed when we first arrived? That's where it comes from.

The most visible reminder is the impressive antenna array — a huge cluster of tall towers with wires stretching everywhere, sitting on the coast north of the town. We'd never seen anything like it. Worth a slow drive past.

And then there's the Ningaloo Centre in town — a proper discovery gallery that brings all of it to life. It covers the American Navy connection, the story of Cyclone Vance in 1999 (there's a specially designed Cyclone Room — the kids were fascinated), and the incredible biodiversity of Cape Range National Park. It also houses one of the largest live reef aquariums in Australia, with over 100 species native to the Ningaloo. Well worth the small entry fee.

The Ningaloo Reef itself was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Area, and it's easy to see why. Six of the seven species of the world's sea turtles have been recorded there — turtles known to have swum over 1,000km just to nest on its shores. The reef is home to whale sharks, humpback whales, dugongs, manta rays, dolphins, and more, depending on the time of year. It really is one of the most biodiverse marine environments accessible to everyday visitors anywhere on the planet.

Accomodation

Before anything else — book early.

Peak season in Exmouth runs from April to October, and places fill up 6 to 12 months ahead. This is not an exaggeration. If you know you're going, lock it in!

The splurge: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

15 luxury eco-tents nestled right in the dunes of Cape Range National Park, steps from the reef. It's all-inclusive — gourmet meals, drinks, guided activities. It's a proper bucket-list stay in a bucket-list location.

​Check prices and availability for Sal Salis here​

Best beach location: Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort

The only resort right on Sunrise Beach. Ocean or marina views from your balcony, an infinity pool, and the Mantarays Restaurant on-site. If you book an apartment or villa, you also get a 2-person spa bath. It's peak WA holiday vibes.

​Check prices and availability for Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort​

Best for families: RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park

Don't let "holiday park" put you off — this place is genuinely impressive. Modern studios through to two-bedroom villas, a big pool, a playground, and even an outdoor cinema in peak season. It's one of the best setups in town for families.

​Check prices and availability for RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park​

The classic: Potshot Hotel Resort

We love the 'Potty.' It's the original Exmouth pub-meets-resort, and it's great value. Simple motel rooms right through to self-contained two-bedroom apartments, and you can walk to the shops and Whalebone Brewery from here (trust us — worth it).

​Check prices and availability for Potshot Hotel Resort​

How many days do you need?

We get asked this constantly. Our answer: more than you think! Most people book 3–4 days and leave wishing they'd stayed longer. We recommend a minimum of 5–7 days — enough for a major reef tour, a couple of days in Cape Range National Park, and a day in town. You could easily fill 10+ days if you have them.

Planning a trip and want to keep track of your budget?

One thing we always recommend is having a good handle on your travel costs before you go — fuel, campsites, food, activities, it all adds up quickly! We put together a Travel Australia Spreadsheet that makes it really easy to plan and track everything in one place.

It's just $9, and we think it's one of the most useful things you can have open on your phone or laptop while you're on the road.

​Grab the Travel Australia Spreadsheet here →​

If you're interested, here are a few articles to have a read:

​7 Best Places to Stay in Exmouth, WA​

​The Perfect 3-Day Exmouth Itinerary​ ​

Great deals

​Our partners StarRV have just announced a great deal for anyone who wants to travel via camper but doesn't have their own van.

If you use code FUEL200, you can save $200 on StarRV hire - just book before the 17th May.

For all Ts & Cs, and more info, click here ​

Have a great week

Margie & Tim

PS, here is a view of the spreadsheet if you're wondering what it's all about:

​https://www.facebook.com/reel/1865764284109714 Link to a short video on our Facebook page :)