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LEA · medium airport

Learmonth Airport

Exmouth, Australia

Airports
LEAmedium airport

Learmonth Airport

Exmouth, Australia
Explore Exmouth city guide Navigate to this airport
3
Routes out
1
Destinations
YPLM
ICAO
19 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Remote Western Australia gateway serving Exmouth and the Northwest Cape.

Location
Exmouth, Australia
Learmonth Airport (IATA: LEA, ICAO: YPLM) is a regional airport located near Exmouth in Western Australia, approximately 37 kilometres south of the town on the Northwest Cape peninsula. It serves as the primary air access point for the Exmouth region, including the nearby Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and major tourist destination. The airport occupies land that is shared with the Royal Australian Air Force's RAAF Base Learmonth, a joint-use civil and military facility. This arrangement reflects its strategic importance to defence operations in the region as well as its civilian role. Regular passenger services connect Learmonth to Perth, supporting tourism, the fishing industry, and local communities. The airport sees increased demand during the whale shark and manta ray season, drawing visitors from across Australia and internationally.
Terminals
The airport has a single small terminal building handling all passenger arrivals and departures.
Getting to & from
Ground transport to Exmouth is primarily via taxi, shuttle bus, or hire car, as the airport sits approximately 37 kilometres south of the town.
Airlines here
Qantas and its subsidiary QantasLink operate the primary scheduled services connecting Learmonth to Perth.
Notable facts
  • ›Learmonth Airport is a joint civilian and RAAF military facility, operating as RAAF Base Learmonth.
  • ›The airport serves as the gateway to Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • ›Located on the Northwest Cape peninsula, roughly 1,200 kilometres north of Perth.
  • ›The region is known for whale shark encounters, driving significant seasonal tourism traffic.
  • ›The airport's remote location makes air travel the most practical means of reaching Exmouth.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to the Ningaloo Coast where red outback meets turquoise sea

Learmonth Airport, serving the remote town of Exmouth in Western Australia's North West Cape region, originated as a Royal Australian Air Force base and continues to operate as a joint civil-military facility. It functions as the primary air gateway to the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef, one of the world's largest fringing coral reef systems. The airport handles a modest but growing volume of leisure and resource-sector traffic, reflecting the region's rising profile as an ecotourism destination.

Terminals
  • Civil Terminal — A compact single-level terminal handling commercial passenger services with basic check-in, baggage, and waiting facilities.
Ground Transport
  • Rental cars from Avis and other operators available at the terminal
  • Pre-booked shuttle transfers to Exmouth town (~40 km away)
  • Taxi and rideshare services operating on limited schedules
  • Resort and accommodation courtesy transfers available on request
Nearby Hotels
  • Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort
  • Exmouth Cape Holiday Park
  • Potshot Hotel Resort
  • RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park
  • Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef (wilderness camp)
Dining

The terminal offers very limited food and beverage options, so travellers are advised to eat before arriving or bring their own snacks. Exmouth town, about 40 kilometres from the airport, has a broader selection of cafes, pubs, and restaurants catering to tourists and workers. Stocking up on supplies in Exmouth before heading to more remote coastal sites is strongly recommended.

Traveller Tips
  • Book a rental car well in advance during whale shark season (March–July) as availability is extremely limited.
  • The airport is approximately 40 km from Exmouth — confirm your transfer or hire car arrangement before landing.
  • Carry cash and snacks for the journey, as facilities at the terminal are minimal.
  • Sun protection is essential year-round in this region; UV levels are extremely high even in winter.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (1 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

LEA → PERNZ · 100
LEA → PERQF · 717 DH4
LEA → PERVA · 100
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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Encyclopaedia

Learmonth Airport is an airport, co-located on the site of RAAF Base Learmonth, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base. The airport is located near the town of Exmouth on the north-west coast of Western Australia.

Read full article on Wikipedia