Coastal Plain

12 h, 2 days to 3 days

49.1 km
oneway

↑ 413 m
↓ -368 m

Hard track
Starting from the car park just south of the McNess House Visitor Centre, Yanchep National Park, this walk takes you on a multi-day journey. The vegetation throughout the walk includes coastal smokebush and native buttercups. As you traverse the inland coastal setting, it is also possible to see wild animals such as kangaroos, waterbirds and echidnas. The track is sandy and open mostly, and the trail is used by bikers, which exacerbates its degradation. At the moment, there are three overnight campsites along the way; Shapcotts, Ridges, Moitch and Pricklybark. Each of them has sleeping shelters, tent sites, bathrooms and other amenities. There are also water tanks, but they can be empty during the dry season. It is recommended you bring as much as possible. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
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Safer Bushwalks
Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
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Getting There
Transport options and directions
Start (-31.5474978,115.6838257)
Mode Car
DirectionsFrom Indian Ocean Drive, 60, Yanchep.
  • Turn on to Yanchep National Park then drive for 900 m
  • At roundabout, take exit 1 and drive for another 45 m
  • Turn right and drive for another 130 m
Finish (-31.6754582,115.9057129)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle   Car  
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started
From the car park 100 metres south of McNess House Visitor Centre, head towards the orange "Tour Bookings ..." sign along the paved track. Pass by the said sign (to your right) and follow the track as it veers left. When you make it to the visitor centre, turn left and head along the concrete path directly towards the water. About 60 metres later, make another left turn and head along the paved path (keeping the water to your right) to continue along the Coastal Plain Track.....
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
There is a car park (about 65 m back from the start).
Find the toilet at the start.
After 105 m find the "McNess House Visitor Centre" (15 m on your right).
McNess House Visitor Centre
McNess House Visitor Centre

You can book a park tour from here and buy some souvenirs to remember the trip by. This place was once (late 1800s) a stone hut but then converted into a hostel. Since 1997, this place serves as a visitor centre.
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You can book a park tour from here and buy some souvenirs to remember the trip by. This place was once (late 1800s) a stone hut but then converted into a hostel. Since 1997, this place serves as a visitor centre.

After another 10 m pass the cafe (about 50 m ahead).
Turn left.
After another 65 m turn left.
After another 60 m find the "Loch McNess" (40 m on your right).
Loch McNess
Loch McNess

Loch McNess is a freshwater lake located near Yanchep. It is part of the Wanneroo wetlands, a chain of wetlands, swamps and lakes that occur on the Swan Coastal Plain. Originally known as Yanchep Lake, the lake was renamed Loch McNess in 1935 in honour of Sir Charles McNess's contribution to the development of Yanchep Reserve. The Nyoongar people call this lake "Wagardu Lark".
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Loch McNess is a freshwater lake located near Yanchep. It is part of the Wanneroo wetlands, a chain of wetlands, swamps and lakes that occur on the Swan Coastal Plain. Originally known as Yanchep Lake, the lake was renamed Loch McNess in 1935 in honour of Sir Charles McNess's contribution to the development of Yanchep Reserve. The Nyoongar people call this lake "Wagardu Lark".
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This tiny side trip takes you to the foreshore of Loch McNess. To start this optional side trip turn sharp right here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 190 m continue straight.
After another 1 km continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 1.8 km continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 2 km turn left.
After another 45 m turn right.
After another 125 m turn left, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 90 m veer right, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 265 m (at the intersection of Coastal Plain Walk Trail & Ghosthouse Trail) turn left, to head along Coastal Plain Walk Trail.
After another 1.2 km continue straight.
After another 1.6 km continue straight.
After another 215 m continue straight.
After another 440 m continue straight.
After another 60 m veer right.
After another 40 m continue straight.
After another 610 m veer left.
After another 1.5 km continue straight.
After another 2.1 km continue straight.
After another 2.9 km turn left.
After another 570 m continue straight.
After another 125 m turn left.
After another 1.5 km continue straight.
After another 150 m continue straight.
After another 1.3 km continue straight.
After another 640 m pass the "Ridges Campsite" (4 m on your right).
Veer left.
After another 335 m continue straight.
After another 500 m continue straight.
After another 390 m continue straight.
After another 370 m continue straight.
After another 400 m continue straight.
After another 1.5 km continue straight.
After another 1.5 km turn right.
After another 20 m turn left.
After another 570 m veer right.
After another 670 m continue straight.
After another 490 m veer right.
After another 15 m turn left.
After another 360 m turn right.
After another 580 m continue straight.
After another 440 m veer right.
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 680 m continue straight.
After another 910 m continue straight.
After another 1.8 km continue straight.
After another 55 m continue straight, to head along Perry Road.
After another 1.6 km continue straight, to head along Perry Road.
After another 1.6 km continue straight.
After another 2.3 km continue straight.
After another 700 m continue straight.
After another 1.1 km turn left.
After another 155 m continue straight.
After another 550 m continue straight.
After another 25 m continue straight.
After another 140 m turn right.
After another 8 m turn left.
After another 380 m continue straight.
After another 220 m continue straight.
After another 450 m continue straight.
After another 470 m veer left.
After another 335 m veer left.
After another 230 m continue straight.
After another 315 m turn left.
After another 320 m continue straight.
After another 275 m turn left.
After another 20 m continue straight.
Keep right.
After another 390 m continue straight.
After another 315 m continue straight.
After another 95 m turn left.
After another 10 m veer right.
After another 1.5 km continue straight.
After another 7 m turn left.
After another 830 m continue straight.
After another 520 m turn right.
After another 60 m continue straight.
After another 255 m turn left.
After another 780 m continue straight.
After another 710 m turn left.
After another 175 m turn right.
After another 100 m turn right.
After another 25 m come to the end.

This tiny side trip takes you to the foreshore of Loch McNess.
Turn map Directions & comments
Start.
After another 25 m come to a viewpoint.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 25 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Coastal Plain


Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length 49.1 km
Time 12 h, 2 days to 3 days
Quality of track Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
Weather Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)

Some facilities on route
Shelter: There is one 20.7 km from the start.

Toilet: There is one 7 m from the start.


Order of key facilities on route
ItemFrom StartName & link to notes
Toilet
7 m[toilet]
Shelter
20.7 kmRidges Campsite
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Articles
Discover more details to thrive on track
Get more information
| Yanchep National Park Visitor Guide | Wild About Walking | Yanchep National Park Walksafe Register Form
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