40-Mile (Gnoorea Point) camping permit

40 Mile Beach is the bookable nature-based campground at Gnoorea Point, on the Pilbara coast southwest of Karratha. Its 134 sites run along a sheltered bay known for fishing, boating and a cooling swim, but this is remote coastal camping rather than a holiday park: there is no drinking water, no power and no shower block for campers.

The City of Karratha identifies the Yaburara and Mardudhunera people as the Traditional Owners of this camping area. Stay within marked sites and existing tracks, and keep out of signed rehabilitation areas.

Getting there#

Address: Forty Mile Beach Road, Gnoorea WA 6714

Allow roughly an hour from Karratha. The official visitor guide places 40 Mile Beach about 56km south of town, while the booking page describes the journey as about 65km and 50 minutes southwest. The access road is gravel, so check current City of Karratha road closures and Main Roads WA travel information before leaving, particularly after rain.

Do not arrive expecting to refill at camp. Bring enough drinking and cooking water for the full stay, plus a contingency for delays. The City's 2026 camping information directs visitors needing potable water to the long-vehicle parking bays at Walgu Park in Karratha.

Choosing a campsite#

The campground has 134 numbered sites across five mapped areas. They are all unpowered, but the ground conditions differ enough that selecting a suitable number matters:

• Sites 1–35: sandy surface; the booking portal recommends a camper or off-road van.
• Site 36: very soft surface; listed for tents, swags or a camper.
• Sites 37–54: firm sand; listed as suitable for any vehicle.
• Sites 55–110: firm ground; listed as suitable for any vehicle.
• Sites 111–114: sandy surface; listed as suitable for any vehicle.
• Sites 115–118: soft sand; listed as suitable for any vehicle.

The operator does not publish the same vehicle guidance for sites 119–134, so use the official area maps and the live booking description rather than assuming every remaining site will suit a large or low-clearance rig. Only one vehicle with its trailer or camper in tow is permitted per site, and a three-metre clearance must be maintained between camps.

Facilities and what to bring#

40 Mile is deliberately basic. The City lists:

• a natural boat ramp
• sullage disposal points
• rubbish collection points
• public toilets for day users
• a seasonal caretaker during the peak camping period

Every campsite must have its own chemical toilet; the day-use toilets are not a substitute for camper facilities. There is no potable water at the campground, and the City does not list powered sites or showers.

Pack drinking water, a chemical toilet, shade, sun protection, food, fuel and any essential medication or vehicle supplies. Remove portable flooring when leaving and put household rubbish in the bins. Fish offal must be wrapped and binned rather than left on the beach or in the water.

Generators are permitted subject to quiet hours, but current City pages publish different shutdown times. Check the conditions attached to your permit and follow the caretaker's direction instead of relying on an old screenshot or third-party listing.

Fishing, swimming and boating#

The sheltered bay is the campground's main attraction. The City promotes Gnoorea Point for fishing, boating and swimming, and provides a natural launch ramp rather than a formed concrete facility. Plan any boat trip around the Pilbara coast's tides: official guidance warns visitors to allow for a tidal range of around five metres.

Treat conditions on the day as the deciding factor. Check weather, tide and marine warnings before launching, secure boats well above the changing waterline, and stay within marked access tracks to protect dunes and vegetation.

Dogs, fires and camp behaviour#

Dogs and other animals are allowed. They must be kept in a caravan, tent, fenced area or another secure enclosure; otherwise, dogs must remain leashed and under the control of a responsible person. Owners are responsible for ensuring their animal does not disturb people or other animals.

Bring your own firewood and never collect vegetation from the campground. Open fires are prohibited when current fire-danger restrictions apply. Registered off-road vehicles may use existing tracks subject to the applicable age, safety, noise and registration rules, but driving through rehabilitation areas or making new tracks is not permitted.

The campground can close at short notice when conditions threaten visitor safety. This is particularly relevant during the Pilbara cyclone season from November to April, so check official weather and emergency advice before committing to the drive.

2026 season, fees and stay limits#

The peak camping season runs from 1 May to 30 September. Bookings for the 2026 season are open, fees are paid in advance and the maximum stay is 28 nights within any three-month period. The City currently lists a permit at $16 for one night or $96 for seven nights, but prices can change; use the live booking page as the final source.

From 1 October to 30 April, no fee or advance booking is required. The off-season limit is much shorter: a maximum of three nights in any 28-day period. Cyclone-season closures can also override normal access.

The booking portal currently allows a full refund when a cancellation is made at least 25 hours before arrival and changes up to the arrival date. Recheck those terms when paying because booking policies can be updated.

Booking 40 Mile Beach camping#

Reserve a numbered site through the official 40-Mile booking page. Compare the five area maps before paying, especially if towing a caravan or travelling in a low-clearance vehicle. During peak season, check in with the caretaker and camp only on the site shown on the permit.

What campers say#

Traveller reports make one point especially clear: the site number can change the feel of a 40 Mile stay.

• In the latest detailed Tripadvisor reviews, campers value water views, fishing, tidal-flat exploring and the social atmosphere. Several also say the caretakers helped them find a more suitable vacant site when their original choice did not match their setup.
• The same reviews repeatedly warn that the central day-use toilet can be a long way from outer sites. Self-contained travellers generally find the layout easier; every campsite must still carry its own chemical toilet under the permit rules.
• A 2025 reviewer enjoyed the rocky side for fishing and views but reported ants and beetles after dark. Insect pressure varies with site and conditions, so pack repellent and keep food and lights managed.
• Public Facebook site-selection discussions also focus on choosing a numbered site carefully rather than treating the whole coastline as interchangeable.

These are camper opinions, not promises about catches, insects, road condition or whether a caretaker can move a booking. Compare the official maps before paying and ask the current caretaker about alternatives after arrival.

Can't get a booking?#

With 134 coastal sites, availability varies by area and surface type. If every suitable site is unavailable for your peak-season dates, set up a free CampWatch alert and we'll text when matching availability returns. No app, no account — just your phone number.

Campground details, 2026 season information, fees and permit conditions were checked against the City of Karratha, Karratha Tourism & Visitor Centre and official booking portal on 27 August 2026.