Exploring Cape Leveque, Dampier Peninsula — WA

Written by: Editorial Team

Published on March 27, 2024

Time to read 6 min

When it comes to beautiful and remote coastlines, Western Australia has plenty to offer. But for those wanting to get away from the crowds, the stunning Cape Leveque on the Dampier Peninsula is a tranquil paradise filled with beautiful beaches, unique campsites and welcoming communities just waiting to be explored.

And best yet, you can take your camper trailer with you. The Broome-Cape Leveque Road has now been fully sealed, making travel easier and more enjoyable than ever. Please note, not all side roads have been sealed, so it’s best to ensure both you and your camper are suited to rough travel.

As always when travelling in remote parts of Australia, ensure you have the right safety gear, including recovery equipment, UHF radio, sat phone, spare parts suitable for your setup (such as wheel bearings), and a well-planned route with fuel refills taken into account.

It is also advised to have planned your accommodation in advance.

So, buckle up and join us on this adventure from Broome to Ardyaloon with plenty of diversions along the way.

Things to know

Grading: AWD (with caution)

Trip time: 2–3 days

Distance: 312km, Broome to Ardyaloon with detours

Longest distance without fuel: 127km, Broome to Beagle Bay

Best time of year: May–October

Permits and fees: The Broome-Cape Leveque Road is a public road, and therefore no permits are required. Visitors intending on leaving this main road and travelling across Aboriginal land to reach overnight destinations, such as Middle Lagoon, do not require a permit as long as they already have an accommodation booking and proceed directly to their destination.

There are some Aboriginal communities on the peninsula, such as Beagle Bay, Kooljaman and Lombinda, that welcome day visitors, and a small fee is generally required.

Warning: While the Broome-Cape Leveque Road has now been sealed (the final 90km finished in 2020), some of the side roads are still gravel and often quite corrugated and rough, particularly after heavy rain. Check road conditions with the Broome Visitor Centre for up-to-date information before departing.

Takeaway alcohol cannot be purchased anywhere on the Damper Peninsula. Most locations will allow alcohol to be carried through but check the situation before leaving Broome.

For those bringing their furry companions along for the ride, please note that dogs/pets are generally not permitted on the peninsula. There are some camps and communities that do allow dogs, which would require you to travel directly to the location without stopping and letting your dog outside on the way.

High clearance 4x4 vehicles and offroad camper are still needed if you plan to access side roads off the Broome-Cape Leveque Road.

Contact details:

Broome Visitor Centre
P: 08 9195 2200

Handy navigation

The drive

Head north out of Broome and in 10km there will be a left turn onto the now fully sealed Broome-Cape Leveque Road. Follow the road for approximately 111km and take the turn-off to Burrguk (Banana Wells) which is located 14km from the main road.

Travellers used to have to deal with long stretches of sandy roads before the Broome-Cape Leveque Road was fully sealed

Banana Well Getaway is an eco-friendly retreat and campground, with options between cabins, houses or camper trailer-friendly sites (powered and unpowered available).

Back on the main road you’ll soon come to the turnoff to the Aboriginal community of Beagle Bay (located approximately 123km north of Broome). This 4km detour is well worth the visit, and we recommend checking out the Sacred Heart Church, which features a stunning mother of pearl shell altar built by local Aboriginal people and Pallottine monks. Please note, visitors must pay an entry fee at the community office before visiting the church.

For those wanting to divert inland, south of the Beagle Bay turn-off there is a narrow dirt track which heads 123km east before turning south to the Great Northern Highway, 55km west of the Willare Bridge Roadhouse and Caravan Park. Please note, this track is quite narrow and lined with trees that will scrape along any campers or vans wider than a LandCruiser or Patrol.

Turning back onto Broome-Cape Leveque Road after Beagle Bay, drive another 21km north to the Middle Lagoon turn-off. Middle Lagoon is located 34km from the turn and is a fan-favourite for camping and fishing. There are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. Natures Hideaway Middle Lagoon, Gnylmarung, Whale Song Campground, and Mercedes Cove all offer unique and beautiful destinations to set up camp and explore the area.

Alternatively (or additionally if you’ve got time to spare), another 4km further north along the main road there is a turn-off towards the east which leads to La Djardarr Bay which offers basic coastal camping.

Another 44km along the main road are the turn-offs to the Lombadina and Djarindjin communities near Thomas Bay, both of which are easy 2km detours.

The Djarindjin Roadhouse is a good spot to stop for fuel and food refills, and the new caravan park has modern facilities and camper trailer-friendly sites.

The Lombadina bakery is a must-visit, offering fresh bread from its wood-fired oven on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The town also offers a range of accommodation, tours and fishing trips - bookings are required. Other sites to see include the old church, the beach and the Lombadina Art and Craft Centre. Permits are required to enter the town (day passes are available), and these can be organised at the office upon arrival. (E: reception@lombadina.com, P: 08 9192 4936). The community is closed on weekends and public holidays, and private boats are not permitted.

A unique way to experience Cape Leveque

North of the junction the main road passes by the all-weather airstrip that services the area. After this, you can spot a track heading off to the east to Mudnunn and the campground at Bygnunn.

Please note, the popular Kooljaman Wilderness Camp north of Lombadina closed its doors in late 2021.

Following the main road you will soon see a turn-off towards the remote Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, a WA gem that offers locally grown pearls, tours, a fantastic restaurant and a wide range of accommodation and camping options. It’s other claim to fame is that it is home to the only pool on the Dampier Peninsula. Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm also has fuel for purchase.

Another 7km along the bitumen (you’re now approximately 215km from Broome), you arrive at Ardyaloon (One Arm Point), a remote Aboriginal community at the very tip of the peninsula. Permits are required and can be organised from the office. Once you’ve got that sorted, head out to Flat Rock Lookout and then the Ardyaloon Hatchery, where you can learn about the Bardi Jawi people’s connections to their saltwater traditions and enjoy stunning views of the fish and coral species found in the area.

Whale bones at Pender Bay

The beauty of Cape Leveque

Located at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, Cape Leveque belongs to the Bardi people, who allow visitors to come and stay in this beautiful and unique part of Western Australia. All land from the Djarindjin turn-off, approximately 40km south of the northern tip of the peninsula, is now included in the Bardi Jawi Indigenous Protected Area, which covers 126,990ha of land and sea country, and is patrolled by Bardi Jawi Rangers.

Cape Leveque Lighthouse is located on the western coastline and is well worth a visit. Built in 1911, this historic lighthouse was manned up until 1985. To one side of the lighthouse you can view the red sculptured cliffs which rise up above white sand beaches and crystal clear water, while on the other side of the lighthouse there’s a good swimming beach.

One of the best things about Cape Leveque is its remoteness, meaning that you won’t be sharing the beach and breathtaking sunsets with countless other like-minded travellers like you will on Cable Beach in Broome. The red cliffs are stunning to see as the sun sets, and this is a great spot to spot dolphins and migrating whales.

Things to do

The Dampier Peninsula offers a wonderland of places to explore, swim, fish and relax.

Please note, there are saltwater crocodiles in these waters, so be croc safe and always ask hosts or campsite staff about safe places to swim and fish. If you aren’t able to bring your boat as well as your camper, don’t despair. Beach fishing can be done at high tide from many of the beaches and rocky headlands, and many of the resorts and towns run fishing tours if you want to get expert advice from the locals.

Organising a cultural tour is a must, and gives great insight into the rich history of this remote part of Australia and the special relationship its Traditional owners have with the land. Brian Lee Tagalong Tour and Bundy’s Cultural Tours are great options, as are the many tours offered at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm and from the Lombadina community.

Another way to experience Cape Leveque and its natural wonders is via a scenic flight, which can be organised through the Broome Visitor Centre.

For the animal lovers, journeying to Cape Leveque in the winter months offers a great chance of seeing humpback whales during their migration to and from their calving grounds further north in the Kimberley region. They can often be spotted in the bay in front of Whale Song Campground.