About this park
We all know that the southwest region has great coastal scenery and West Cape Howe National Park is no exception. The landscape is wild and dramatic - towering cliffs, white sandy beaches, granite headlands, huge crashing waves, coastal heathland and even some karri forest. It is breathtaking whichever way you look. The diverse landscape is home to lots of birds and wildlife.
Visit beautiful Shelley Beach and the spectacular lookout above for views out to sea and along the rugged coastline to Torbay Head. Venture further into the park on the sandy four-wheel drive tracks, or by walking a section of the Bibbulmun Track. And, if that sounds tame, well there’s always paragliding. Shelley Beach Lookout has two platforms purpose built for hang gliding and paragliding. I mean who doesn’t want to launch themselves off a ledge into mid-air right?! Stick around for a while and set up camp. There’s a low-key campground at Shelley Beach.
Yes, we recommend you drop into West Cape Howe National Park. After all, it is the southernmost point of mainland Western Australia and the next stop is Antarctica!
Safety information
Plan when to visit. Read this safety information about bushwalking, fishing and hang gliding/paragliding. Consider travelling with a personal location beacon (PLB). In the event you need to be rescued it could save your life!
- The southern coastline has a notorious record for accidents and deaths due to people slipping or being washed into the ocean by unexpected waves, gusting winds or extra-large swells. Please exercise extreme caution and don’t risk being the next victim.
- Stay well back from cliff edges.
- When fishing please wear a Personal Flotation Device or life vest. Rock fishing is extremely dangerous on this coastline and is not recommended. Fish from the beach.
Gallery
![Coastal Banjine flowers in bloom and a view of West Cape Howe in the distance. Pink Coastal Banjine flowers in bloom in the coastal heath of West Cape Howe National Park with the ocean and West Cape Howe in the distance](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells-2.jpg?itok=Aib1eH-x)
![West Cape Howe National Park. Sun shining through clouds late in the afternoon over a deserted beach and distant headland](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells-3.jpg?itok=jueywu7G)
![Kangaroo hopping through the West Cape Howe coastal heath with pink coastal banjine and banksia in bloom Kangaroo hopping through the West Cape Howe coastal heath with pink coastal banjine and banksia in bloom](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells.jpg?itok=Rk54QST0)
![Shelley Beach, West Cape Howe National Park white sandy beach with the ocean rolling in and green bush on the hill in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/shelley-beach-west-cape-howe-national-park-tourism-western-australia-2.jpg?itok=6JF1hGFh)
![View towards Shelley Beach and Torbay from West Cape Howe National Park View towards Shelley Beach and Torbay from West Cape Howe National Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells-4.jpg?itok=IQ3dhtBI)
![Rugged dolerite cliffs of West Cape Howe, West Cape Howe National Park. Rugged dolerite cliffs and coastline at West Cape Howe](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells-5.jpg?itok=BCgUXgfr)
![View of the ocean and dolerite cliffs of West Cape Howe View of the ocean and dolerite cliffs of West Cape Howe](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells-6.jpg?itok=e_bdd5xb)
![Dunsky Beach, West Cape Howe National Park. Dunsky Beach in West Cape Howe National Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells-7.jpg?itok=T4KtI3PM)
![Gravel road through karri forest in West Cape Howe National Park Gravel road through karri forest in West Cape Howe National Park](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells-8.jpg?itok=NqDfteDc)
![West Cape Howe sunrise West Cape Howe sunrise](/sites/default/files/styles/slide_large/public/2021-10/west-cape-howe-national-park-bronwyn-wells-9.jpg?itok=6pOyoJ31)
Activities
Bushwalking
Camping
Fishing
Four-wheel driving
Overnight hiking
Paragliding
Rock climbing
Plants, wildlife and fungi
Visit the Atlas of Living Australia for a list of species recorded in West Cape Howe National Park.
Traditional Owners
We recognise and acknowledge Menang people as the traditional owners of West Cape Howe National Park.