Tuesday, Feb 18, 2003 at 19:25
Rox
I lived in
Exmouth for three years and often camped along the coast between
Coral Bay and
Exmouth. I always found the area to the south of
Ningaloo Homestead less attractive than to the north.
You can follow the coast from
Coral Bay north and once you get past
Ningaloo Homestead (or go and ask if you can go up to the
lighthouse ruins nearby) and sheep yards, you follow the track north. Its a fair distance from the sea at this stage. You'll see big sand dunes that are impassable in anything but a tracked vehicle. There are a couple of gates to go through and then you should see a sign for Lefroy Bay. There is OK camping here, but I preferred to head west at Lefroy until you come to another
gate. Go through this
gate and immediately turn south, following the fence line. This track does go all the way back to the main track, but there is a sign saying No Entry (or some such thing). At this point if you head west again you'll eventually come out at a section of beach that is literally a stones throw from the reef. GREAT camping here. If you're adventurous and can find a way over the sand dunes here to the south, you'll pick up the track that goes to the old Norwegien Bay
whaling station. (Heed the signs there as there is a lot of blue asbestos fibres around, but worth a look from the distance even.) I havent been there for a few years, so not sure if the tanks are still standing, but there was a lot of other old machinery etc around.
If you wish to travel further north, then Winderabandie Point is also really good. The track out the point is often REALLY soft, so you'll need to
check that out before taking the camper out there. Best thing here is you can
camp on either side and be in the lee of the wind.
North of Winderabandie (through another
gate) and there are a couple of deviations to the coast. Most are OK, but again the best one is about 17kms from the Winderabandie turnoff.
Further north you come to the National Park sign and about 1 1/2 kms north the track goes out to a natural
rock groyne. This is protected from the North East winds.
About 1km south of Yardie Creek (4kms north of
rock groyne) is a camping spot with pit
toilets.
Just make sure that Yardie Creek is passable and that you have a national park pass if you are going to stop anywhere in the park. (We used to go straight through and you didnt need a pass - we even took the dog as the road is a public road)
In the park there is also camping but fees apply.
All these areas are popular, but the track out from Lefroy isnt so
well used (or known until now!)
Have a good time and take a fishing rod, you can catch northwest snapper off the beaches.
AnswerID:
13411
Follow Up By: Coops - Monday, Feb 24, 2003 at 17:15
Monday, Feb 24, 2003 at 17:15
excellent info Wayne.
I'll be down there having a look again soon armed with all that - cheers
FollowupID:
8233