DEntrecasteaux NP - Western Section

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesNorthcliffe
FinishBlack Point
DifficultyDifficulty 4/5
Suitable For4WD 
Distance194.01 km
Minimum Days2
Average Speed35.48 km/hr
Travel Time5 hrs 28 mins
Page Updated: 22 Oct 2021

Description

Virtually all of this trek lies within the western D’Entrecasteaux National Park national park which stretches along the coast from Black Point in the west to near Walpole in the east with Windy Harbour providing a convenient coastal ‘centre’.

The trek can be divided into two separate sections: the centre and eastern section comprising the Yeagarup and Callcup dunes with magnificent karri roads accesses including the Carey Brook camping and Beedelup Falls areas; and the western section encompassing the very scenic Lake Jasper, Jasper Beach and Black Point.

The access track to the Jasper/Black Point area requires normal careful coastal driving through mainly peppermint woodland with some bullich, but tyres should be deflated to about 20psi. The Yeagarup and Callcup dunes definitely require tyre deflation and at Callcup, if proceeding up the dunes, pressures as low as 10-12psi will be required.

It may be possible to beach drive the entire stretch between Donnelly River and the Summertime Track near Windy Harbour, but more often than not the Warren River crossing will be impassable, as might be the Meerup River. Swell and tides play a part here.

Depending on where you enter the beach, you might be forced to exit up the Callcup dunes. Note that this section is the most challenging of the trek and really demands some previous dune driving experience.

Most the destinations marked on the trek have good camping with DEC fire rings for the most part (no camping at Beedelup Falls). The Carey Brook camping area is lovely, set as it is in tall karri with adjacent access to the perennial brook.

An excellent reference for this area is the draft management plan for Shannon and D’Entrecasteaux National Parks which is available atwww.dec.wa.gov.au.

How to Use this Trek Note

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TIP

ExplorOz Traveller now features the NEW EOTopo 2023 mapset!

Environment

The climate is characterised by cool temperate with most rainfall in winter but frequent morning drizzle even in summer. Summer temperatures are usually moderate but occasional short hot spells occur.

D’Entrecasteaux National Park contains huge areas of pristine or largely untouched beaches, coast structures including magnificent dune systems and long beaches, as well as major wet and sedgelands providing for a large diversity of fauna and flora.

It lies wholly within the Warren bioregion which is characterised by dissected (rivers and streams) undulating country supporting karri on the loams, paperbark and sedge swamps in the extensive depressions and predominantly peppermint woodland and scrub progressively near the coast.

The coastal belt extends the entire length of the Park with widths between half a kilometre near Windy Harbour to up to nine kms towards the west and east. Black basalt cliffs occur at Black Point but the coast access for the rest of this trek is pure beach. The major river and creek systems are the those of the Warren and Meerup rivers.

The expansive Yeagarup and Callcupo dunes approximate 4000 hectares in extent. Lake Jasper is the largest lake in the southwest and holds a large body of fresh water overlaying clean white sands – it is known as a ‘white lake’ due to the lack of tannins encountered in other waterbodies of the Park.

The flora of the Park is extremely diverse which holds up to 1000 species, with major families including orchids, sedges, pea groups and melaleucas (paperbarks). Away from the coast the area is dominated by impressive tall karri forest.

The main coastal tracks between are dominated by peppermints and the usual south coastal plant communities with occasional stands of bullich. Mammals and birds are well represented in D’Entrecasteaux National Park withat least 21 species of the former and 123 of birds. Reptiles, in contrast are relatively poorly represented.

History

D’Entrecasteaux National Park was formed progressively over the period 1970-90 via the amalgamation of private purchases, existing conservation reserves, forestry reserves, pastoral leases and local government reserves; resulting from recognition by the Conservation through Reserves Committee (1974) that the State lacked a large single south coastal area preserved from human development.

Archeological evidence indicates continuing Aboriginal usage of the D’Entrecasteaux National Park area for at least 10,000 years with current custodians mainly from the Murram branch of the Noongar Nation. Lake Jasper holds major significance to custodians and many archaeological artifacts have been discovered at the site.

Non indigenous history commences with early Dutch voyages from at least 1627. Captain Vancouver in the Chatham undertook the first hydrographic survey of the south coast in 1791. A year later French Admiral Bruny D’Entrecasteaux National Park led a large scientific expedition which included the ships Researche and Esperance, and which named Point D’Entrecasteaux.

Little interest followed these voyages with activity mostly restricted to sealing and whaling. However, following settlement in 1831 terrestrial and further coastal exploration accelerated with farming being established to the north of the Park in the 1850s. Pastoral leases were prominent in the (now) Park in the 1880s with grazing continuing to the 1980s. These pastoralists built a number of coastal huts for summertime grazing (cattlemen huts), most of which are long gone.

More recently, D’Entrecasteaux National Park contains scatters of recreational squatters huts at scenic locations. These have been rationalized and are in the process of termination of permits following which rehabilitation of sites will take place.

The Park is highly valued by local communities such as those of Northcliffe, Pemberton and Nannup and surrounding towns and areas, but is also increasingly used by Perth metropolitan visitors who can easily access the Park within a six hour drive.

TrekID: 203

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
Preparation for this route should be as for any other 4WD track, including carrying sufficient fuel, water, food, supplies, communications gear, safety equipment and first aid, along with emergency backup supplies.

You will encounter other vehicles in the summer months. However, you might have to wait for a day or so for assistance in the shoulder or winter months.

Be well prepared with a GPS, Epirb or HF radio or Satellite phone. We advise that you refer to the latest information and advice about outback communications in the Communications Topic.

Make sure you have adequate recovery gear and tyre repair kits. A compressor is essential! Travelers should read the 4WDriving Topic for related articles and checklists for vehicle setup and driver awareness

Permits

The permit cost for entry into D’Entrecasteaux National Park is $15.00. There are many options available when purchasing WA National Park passes see https://shop.dbca.wa.gov.au/collections/park-passes for details.

Camp fees apply at most designated campsites and you will therefore need a camping permit if you wish to camp near Black Point. Visitors can obtain information about applicable fees at self registration points found in camping areas. For more information regarding entry and camping permits and fees, please contact:

DEC Pemberton

Donnelly District (Pemberton)
Address: Kennedy Street, PEMBERTON, WA 6260
Phone: (08) 9776 1207
Fax: (08) 9776 1410
Email: donnelly.district@dec.wa.gov.au

Fuel Usage

Northcliffe (note – there are no facilities at Windy Harbour), Nannup.
DieselULPLPG
4cyl 27 litres4cyl 31 litres4cyl 39 litres
6cyl 30 litres6cyl 35 litres6cyl 34 litres
8cyl 30 litres8cyl 32 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

Closest Climatic Station

Pemberton
Distance from Trek Mid Point 21.23km NE
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C26.226.424.521.218.215.915.015.516.718.821.323.9
Mean Min. °C13.213.612.710.99.48.17.27.07.68.610.311.9
Mean Rain mm21.819.136.675.0151.0191.1209.6168.3128.990.061.834.7
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

Northcliffe to Wheatley Coast Rd & Chesapeake Rd
Driving: 6.2 km
Heading: 192°
Avg Speed: 64.26 km/hr
EST Time: 05:47
Wheatley Coast Rd & Chesapeake Rd to Windy Harbour Rd & Summertime Rd
Driving: 4.19 km
Heading: 202°
Avg Speed: 70.08 km/hr
EST Time: 03:35
Windy Harbour Rd & Summertime Rd to Lake Samuel
Driving: 3.76 km
Heading: 241°
Avg Speed: 27.38 km/hr
EST Time: 08:14
Lake Samuel to Meerup River (Southern Beach Section)
Driving: 19.63 km
Heading: 295°
Avg Speed: 28.17 km/hr
EST Time: 41:48
Meerup River (Southern Beach Section) to Lake Samuel
Driving: 19.63 km
Heading: 115°
Avg Speed: 28.17 km/hr
EST Time: 41:48
Lake Samuel to Windy Harbour Rd & Summertime Rd
Driving: 3.76 km
Heading: 61°
Avg Speed: 27.38 km/hr
EST Time: 08:14
Windy Harbour Rd & Summertime Rd to Wheatley Coast Rd & Chesapeake Rd
Driving: 4.19 km
Heading: 22°
Avg Speed: 70.08 km/hr
EST Time: 03:35
Wheatley Coast Rd & Chesapeake Rd to Northcliffe
Driving: 6.2 km
Heading: 12°
Avg Speed: 64.26 km/hr
EST Time: 05:47
View of Callcup Dunes to Warren Beach
Driving: 3.22 km
Heading: 208°
Avg Speed: 28.31 km/hr
EST Time: 06:49
Warren Beach to Meerup River (Northern Beach Section)
Driving: 2.73 km
Heading: 140°
Avg Speed: 43.8 km/hr
EST Time: 03:44
Meerup River (Northern Beach Section) to Warren Beach
Driving: 2.73 km
Heading: 320°
Avg Speed: 43.8 km/hr
EST Time: 03:44
Warren Beach to View of Callcup Dunes
Driving: 3.22 km
Heading: 28°
Avg Speed: 28.31 km/hr
EST Time: 06:49
Yeagarup Lake to Old Growth Swamp Banksia
Driving: 4.71 km
Heading: 213°
Avg Speed: 21.22 km/hr
EST Time: 13:19
Old Growth Swamp Banksia to Yeagarup Dunes
Driving: 3.91 km
Heading: 245°
Avg Speed: 14.38 km/hr
EST Time: 16:18
Yeagarup Dunes to Warren River Crossing
Driving: 4.68 km
Heading: 172°
Avg Speed: 28.13 km/hr
EST Time: 09:58
Warren River Crossing to Yeagarup Dunes
Driving: 4.68 km
Heading: 352°
Avg Speed: 28.13 km/hr
EST Time: 09:58
Yeagarup Dunes to Old Growth Swamp Banksia
Driving: 3.91 km
Heading: 65°
Avg Speed: 14.38 km/hr
EST Time: 16:18
Old Growth Swamp Banksia to Yeagarup Lake
Driving: 4.71 km
Heading: 33°
Avg Speed: 21.22 km/hr
EST Time: 13:19
Yeagarup Lake to Vasse Hwy & Ritter Rd
Driving: 12.09 km
Heading: 30°
Avg Speed: 56.22 km/hr
EST Time: 12:54
Vasse Hwy & Ritter Rd to Beedelup Falls
Driving: 8.3 km
Heading: 313°
Avg Speed: 61.44 km/hr
EST Time: 08:06
Beedelup Falls to Carey Brook Campground (Snottygobble)
Driving: 13.44 km
Heading: 254°
Avg Speed: 57.82 km/hr
EST Time: 13:56
Carey Brook Campground (Snottygobble) to Donnelly Boat Landing
Driving: 3.46 km
Heading: 232°
Avg Speed: 45.32 km/hr
EST Time: 04:34
Donnelly Boat Landing to Carey Brook Campground (Snottygobble)
Driving: 3.46 km
Heading: 52°
Avg Speed: 45.32 km/hr
EST Time: 04:34
Carey Brook Campground (Snottygobble) to Lake Smith
Driving: 15.94 km
Heading: 276°
Avg Speed: 36.18 km/hr
EST Time: 26:26
Lake Smith to Lake Wilson
Driving: 0.75 km
Heading: 288°
Avg Speed: 19.43 km/hr
EST Time: 02:18
Lake Wilson to Lake Jasper Campground
Driving: 4.88 km
Heading: 284°
Avg Speed: 19.73 km/hr
EST Time: 14:50
Lake Jasper Campground to Black Point Rd & Wapet Tk
Driving: 23.66 km
Heading: 277°
Avg Speed: 20.6 km/hr
EST Time: 01:08:54
Black Point Rd & Wapet Tk to Humpback Hollow
Driving: 1.15 km
Heading: 209°
Avg Speed: 21.51 km/hr
EST Time: 03:12
Humpback Hollow to Seal Cove
Driving: 0.58 km
Heading: 252°
Avg Speed: 17.83 km/hr
EST Time: 01:57
Seal Cove to Black Point
Driving: 0.24 km
Heading: 209°
Avg Speed: 11.56 km/hr
EST Time: 01:14
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

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