Wiluna to Ningaloo

Agree with Rox's comments re: Ningaloo Station. We spent 10 days there in July this year. Top spot and whilst there make sure you check out the Point Cloates lighthouse ruins and the Norwegian Bay Whaling Station ruins. There is a track all the way from Coral Bay to Yardie Creek passing through 4 properties including Ningaloo Station.

One small correction to Rox though...be aware that the all the coastal stations around Carnarvon and Ningaloo have formed an alliance of sorts under the name NROCA (Ningaloo Reef Outback Coast Assoc) to try to stave off the WA Govt's bid to take over this stretch of coastline and hand it over the CALM. The stations are pushing hard to keep control and have been placed under enormous pressure (rightly so) to make sure that this unique environment is properly looked after.

Whilst informal bush camping remains the main attraction (and superb scenery of course), the stations have been forced to introduce certain rules (these came into effect in July when we were there). These include 1) mandatory use of chemical loo's; it is no longer acceptable to dig a toilet pit or head off into the dunes with a spade. 2) Total ban on the collection of firewood. If you want a fire, you must bring in your own wood and it must be easily identified as have come from elsewhere (easy since the wood in this area is limited to very thin, scrubby saltbush and gidgee).

As well, certain old campsites have now been blocked off for rehabilitation but there is still heaps of great individual or group camping spots in designated area's. Some of the stations have totally banned quadbikes (but not Ningaloo where they may still be used on designated tracks). Ningaloo Station has also established a formal rubbish tip.

Take in your own drinking water as the nearest available is at Exmouth. Washing water can be obtained from the stock tank at the foothills of the Cape Range opposite North Lefroy beach but you'll need a bucket and rope or a pump of some sort to get to it. Having said that, with the popularity of the place (almost all year round), try to avoid relying on this water supply if possible as it is placed under enormous pressure and at the end of the day, it's there for the stock, not we campers.

:o) Melissa Petrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper
http://members.westnet.com.au/flatdog

Thanks for that, er, "Nav 80",

I've downloaded the trek notes and park info about the coastal area. And the rudimentary map downloaded from nrma shows the roads Meekatharra - Gascoyne - Carnarvon and Newman - Tom Price - Nanutarra and Northern and North Hwys. I'll see the detailed maps when I get back to Oz / Adelaide at the beginning of December. Meantime,two questions. Are there any useful tracks in the area between those two east-west routes you listed? ie in the area between Gascoyne and Paraburdoo? If so, what are they like? And I'd have liked to go to Karijini, but thought it had too much risk of being wet in January. Is that true, or is it just hot?

Joey&Verna

Question 1. The area between Gascoyne and Paraburdoo is mainly station country,there are quite a few tracks through there but you would need station permission to get access, except for the gazetted roads. The area at that time of year will be very hot and dry with very little water around until you get further north into the Pilbara eg. Tom Price Paraburdoo.
Question 2. Karijini would be OK in January very hot and dry except the whole area through there at time of year is subject to cyclones. If there is no cyclone its hot and dry,if there is a cyclone on the way get out quick as the whole area can turn to flood and bog within hours. If you keep tabs on the weather you have plenty of warning if a cyclone is eminent. I belive your best bet would be Karijini Exmouth and down that coastal track I mentioned to Coral bay and the other spots along there someone else mentioned, it would be much more pleasent on the coast at that time of year..

OK Nav 80, thanks for the help. We're looking forward to the trip.Joey&Verna