Cape Range — Yardie Creek / Ningaloo
About this track
Cape Range—Yardie Creek is a moderate 4WD loop through Western Australia's Ningaloo Peninsula, linking remote turquoise-water campsites along the Indian Ocean. The 90 km track runs south from Exmouth through Cape Range National Park, with Yardie Creek as its crux: a soft-sand crossing that shifts with tide and weather. It's iconic for combining reef-camp accessibility with genuine isolation—turquoise bays, red-dirt campsites, and snorkelling within metres of your swag—yet remains achievable in a day for prepared crews.
Highlights
- Turquoise reef-camp swimming and snorkelling at track's end
- Soft-sand Yardie Creek crossing—tide-dependent, recovery-gear essential
- Red pindan soil and coastal jump-ups through native vegetation
- Secluded beachside campsites with minimal facilities
- Cape Range National Park fauna: emus, goannas, raptors
What to expect
Sandy track with variable firmness; soft red pindan interspersed with rocky washouts and minor jump-ups. Yardie Creek crossing demands low-range, momentum and sand awareness—tide and recent rain determine approach angle and traction. Coastal views dominate the southern leg. Moderate remoteness: help 1–2 hours away, but self-sufficiency expected. One-day loop is tight; most parties camp at Yardie or Turquoise Bay overnight.
Permits, prep & good to know
- Permits: Park fees — confirm current details before you go.
- Surface / hazards: Soft sand crossing.
- Remoteness: Moderate — travel self-sufficient.
Park entry fees apply—confirm current rates on-site or via the park authority. April–October is ideal; avoid January–March heat and cyclone season. Fuel up in Exmouth before entry. Carry 50+ litres water per vehicle (Yardie has limited supply). Check tide times before the creek crossing; soft sand worsens after rain. Convoy travel advised. UHF and satellite comms recommended. Recovery gear (snatch strap, boards, spade) mandatory. Camp only at designated sites; leave no trace. Confirm track closures with DBCA before departure.