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Stockyard Gully

Difficulty: Trek rating 1.5 of 5 - Click for detailsTrek rating 1.5 of 5 - Click for details   Suitable for: 4WD AWD 2WD Caravan Camper Motorhome Bike 
These caves are located some 250 km north of Perth. It's an easy 1 day trek from Perth with only a short section of sandy, limestone outcropped track to reach the caves.
StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesUpper Swan
Trek
FinishLake Indoon
Distance303.55 kmMinimum Days1
Average Speed79.51 km/hrDriving Time3 hr 49 min
Article By: Member - Mark   Updated: 29 Apr 2008
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 Description

The Stockyard Gully Caves are one of Western Australia's best kept secrets. The main cave has a sandy bottom and is some 300m long from entrance to entrance. There are two shorter caves that are accessible for the more adventurous before reaching the "final" cave, which has no exit.

The caves can be approached from the Northern end via Lake Indoon or the southern end from Cockleshell Gully Road. 4WD is only required for the sandy tracks and is suitable for towing off-road trailers/vans. Any 4WD is appropriate, as the larger rocky limestone outcrops on the track have been flattened off by CALM.

Although this trek can be completed in one day (mostly driving), it is a great weekend away with overnight campout at nearby Lake Indoon.

Lake Indoon is a large, freshwater lake, which covers 130 hectares, with a depth varying from approximately 1.5m - 5m depending on the seasons and rainfall. It is approximately 4.5kms around the lake. The Lake Indoon facilities include camping grounds around the lake, an ablution block with hot water showers, and a tank for drinking water. The Carnamah Shire runs the campground at Lake Indoon with campsites available on a first-in first served basis. A new gas BBQ and picnic area is available near the boat ramp on the north side of the Lake. Costs are $5 per person per night (½ price for kids), collected by rangers in the morning. Click www.carnamah.wa.gov.au to view the Shire of Carnamah website providing further details on Lake Indoon.

 Interactive Route Map

Upper SwanBullsbrook EastBP Service Station (East of Muchea)ChandalaBeermullahBrand Hwy & Orange Springs RdBadgingarraBrand Hwy & Jurien RdJurien Rd & Cockleshell Gully RdJurien BayJurien Rd & Cockleshell Gully RdStockyard Gully TunnelLake Indoon
Upper Swan
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
Position: 116.0289ºE   31.7708ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Bullsbrook East
Distance: 12.75km
Average Speed: 83.4km/h
Features: Populated Place
Position: 116.0261ºE   31.6611ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: BP Service Station (East of Muchea)
Distance: 11.94km
Average Speed: 78.5km/h
Features: Service Station,RoadhouseFuel Food,Shopping
Position: 115.9777ºE   31.5804ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Chandala
Distance: 4.99km
Average Speed: 97.16km/h
Chandala
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 115.9586ºE   31.5347ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Beermullah
Distance: 41.16km
Average Speed: 95.09km/h
Beermullah
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 115.8020ºE   31.2124ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Brand Hwy & Orange Springs Rd
Distance: 25.57km
Average Speed: 97.53km/h
Brand Hwy & Orange Springs Rd
Use the Orange Springs Rd turnoff for an alternative route between the Brand Hwy and Lancelin Rd.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 115.7092ºE   30.9994ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Badgingarra
Distance: 77.43km
Average Speed: 82.59km/h
Badgingarra
No description entered. Enter description or photos.
Features: Populated Place
Position: 115.4970ºE   30.3871ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Brand Hwy & Jurien Rd
Distance: 23.36km
Average Speed: 91.41km/h
Brand Hwy & Jurien Rd
Jurien Road heads west from the Brand Hwy towards the town of Jurien Bay.
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 115.3976ºE   30.2237ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Jurien Rd & Cockleshell Gully Rd
Distance: 23.34km
Average Speed: 91.19km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 115.1746ºE   30.2497ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Jurien Bay
Distance: 16.16km
Average Speed: 74.93km/h
Jurien Bay
Located approx 260km north of Perth on the Turquoise Coast. Good town and facilities. Accomodation ranging from caravan park to hotel/motel. Great place for fishing, diving and swimming in summer and exploring the inland in winter.
Features: Populated PlaceService Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Airstrip Rubbish Bin,Tip UHF Repeater Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Beach Cemetery,Grave Site National Parks,Reserves Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Position: 115.0383ºE   30.3059ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Jurien Rd & Cockleshell Gully Rd
Distance: 16.16km
Average Speed: 74.93km/h
Features: Junction,Intersection,Turn Off
Position: 115.1746ºE   30.2497ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Stockyard Gully Tunnel
Distance: 38.05km
Average Speed: 61.34km/h
Features: Point of Interest
Position: 115.0982ºE   29.9408ºS (GDA 94)
Next Place: Lake Indoon
Distance: 12.64km
Average Speed: 26.08km/h
Lake Indoon
Lake Indoon is a large, freshwater lake, which covers 130 hectares, with a depth varying from approximately 1.5m - 5m depending on the seasons and rainfall. It is approximately 4.5kms around the lake.
Features: Water Body,River,Stream,FallsToilet Camp Fee Point of Interest
Position: 115.1554ºE   29.8616ºS (GDA 94)

Route Control

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 Permits

No permits are needed for the Stockyard Gully trek. Camping fees apply at Lake Indoon - costs are $5 per person per night (½ price for kids), collected by rangers in the morning.

 Things to See & Do

Lake Indoon   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Toilet Camp Fee Point of Interest
Lake Indoon is a large, freshwater lake, which covers 130 hectares, with a depth varying from approximately 1.5m - 5m depending on the seasons and rainfall. It is approximately 4.5kms around the lake. The Lake Indoon facilities include camping grounds around the lake, an ablution block with hot water showers, and a tank for drinking water.
Jurien Bay   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Airstrip Rubbish Bin,Tip UHF Repeater Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Beach Cemetery,Grave Site National Parks,Reserves Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Located approx 260km north of Perth on the Turquoise Coast. Good town and facilities. Accomodation ranging from caravan park to hotel/motel. Great place for fishing, diving and swimming in summer and exploring the inland in winter. Wildflowers abound in nearby Lesueur National Park.
Upper Swan   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
No description entered. Enter description or photos.

 Preparation

This is a basic 4WDing trip with no special preparation needed. If you manage to do this trip without seeing another vehicle, consider yourself blessed. If camping at Lake Indoon, basic supplies are available only ~10 kms from the Lake at Eneabba or full supplies from Jurien Bay, some ~50km south west. If travelling in the warmer months, ensure you have supplies of water on board.

The Cockleshell Gully Road entrance is a well-maintained gravel road that is capable of being traversed by any vehicle. The short 4Wdriving section to actually reach the caves is basically a sandy track with outcrops of limestone. It can be soft in the drier months but I have never had to reduce tyre pressures to get through. Soft roader vehicles without low range will easily be able to complete this trek.

Stockyard Gully Caves can be approached from two ends. The "southern" approach is from Cockleshell Gully Road and is typically the way out if one has camped overnight at Lake Indoon. The "northern" end is approached from Eneabba/Coolimba Road, off which Lake Indoon is located.

Fuel Supplies & Usage

Fuel SymbolUpper Swan, BP Service Station (East of Muchea), Jurien Bay Diesel4cyl 42 litres ULP4cyl 49 litres LPG4cyl 61 litres
6cyl 47 litres6cyl 55 litres6cyl 53 litres
8cyl 52 litres8cyl 50 litres
Usage is averaged from TrekFuel (* specific to trek) submissions and calculated based on trek distance.
Fuel is also available at Cataby (which is just off the Brand Highway around 32kms north of the Moore River bridge) and Eneabba (about 12kms east of Lake Indoon).

Best Time To Visit

All year round – Summer for water activities at Lake Indoon.

Closest Climatic Station

Lancelin
Distance from Trek Mid Point 28.17km SW
 JanFebMarAprMayJun JulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C 28.929.728.325.3 22.520.119.119.1 20.322.324.627.1
Mean Min. °C 17.417.916.714.5 12.510.910.09.9 10.511.814.116.2
Mean Rain mm 9.511.213.531.1 87.3126.2124.794.0 57.329.820.86.2
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Services & Supplies

The following locations have various services and supplies: Upper Swan, BP Service Station (East of Muchea), Jurien Bay
There are also some limited supplies at Eneabba (about 12kms east of Lake Indoon).

 Camp Sites & Accomodation

Lake Indoon   
Water Body,River,Stream,Falls Toilet Camp Fee Point of Interest
Lake Indoon is a large, freshwater lake, which covers 130 hectares, with a depth varying from approximately 1.5m - 5m depending on the seasons and rainfall. It is approximately 4.5kms around the lake. The Lake Indoon facilities include camping grounds around the lake, an ablution block with hot water showers, and a tank for drinking water.
Jurien Bay   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Airstrip Rubbish Bin,Tip UHF Repeater Fuel Water Supply Toilet Pub Food,Shopping Beach Cemetery,Grave Site National Parks,Reserves Police Station Medical Services Resort,Motel
Located approx 260km north of Perth on the Turquoise Coast. Good town and facilities. Accomodation ranging from caravan park to hotel/motel. Great place for fishing, diving and swimming in summer and exploring the inland in winter. Wildflowers abound in nearby Lesueur National Park.
Upper Swan   
Populated Place Service Station,Roadhouse Caravan Park Fuel Water Supply Toilet Food,Shopping Resort,Motel Point of Interest
No description entered. Enter description or photos.

 History

The erosion from a creek fed upstream from the surrounding plains formed the caves. Further erosion over the years has resulted in roof cave-ins, leaving natural entrances to the caves. These caves are a natural water course and the creek flows in the wetter months. There are warnings not to enter the caves in severe rainstorms as the cave can flood! One can see the levels that were reached in the local flood of 1999.

 Driving Directions

Time
Direction
Distance
Upper Swan to Bullsbrook East 12.75 km N 359° 9 min
Bullsbrook East to BP Service Station (East of Muchea) 11.94 km NW 333° 9 min
BP Service Station (East of Muchea) to Chandala 4.99 km N 340° 3 min
Chandala to Beermullah 41.16 km NW 337° 25 min
Beermullah to Brand Hwy & Orange Springs Rd 25.57 km N 340° 15 min
Brand Hwy & Orange Springs Rd to Badgingarra 77.43 km N 343° 56 min
Badgingarra to Brand Hwy & Jurien Rd 23.36 km NW 332° 15 min
Brand Hwy & Jurien Rd to Jurien Rd & Cockleshell Gully Rd 23.34 km W 262° 15 min
Jurien Rd & Cockleshell Gully Rd to Jurien Bay 16.16 km SW 244° 12 min
Jurien Bay to Jurien Rd & Cockleshell Gully Rd 16.16 km NE 64° 12 min
Jurien Rd & Cockleshell Gully Rd to Stockyard Gully Tunnel 38.05 km N 348° 37 min
Stockyard Gully Tunnel to Lake Indoon 12.64 km NE 32° 29 min
Upper Swan to Lake Indoon 303.55 km     3 hr 49 min
Distance is GPS recorded driving distance (not straight line), Direction is straight line from start to end, Time is calculated from actual GPS driving data.

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