Starting from the car park at the end of Mandu Mandu Gorge Access Road, Cape Range National Park, this walk takes you on a circuit around Mandu Mandu Gorge via the Mandu Mandu Gorge Track. The first few hundred metres are over karst limestone and hard-packed sand before descending slightly into the dry gorge riverbed of loose water-smoothed rocks. Try to lift your head up every once in a while and take in the stunning red cliffs on both sides of the track. Look carefully and you may see rare black-footed rock wallabies in shady areas of the gorge walls. Animals tend to get out and about when it's relatively cool, so early mornings and late afternoons are your best bet for observing them. After a while, the trail rises steeply out of the gorge onto the plateau, offering stunning panoramic views towards the ocean. The trail then descends fairly steeply along the northern ridge of the gorge, eventually leading back to the car park. It is well marked with white posts and stone cairns along the way. The trail is steep in sections, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Beware of loose rocks and unstable surfaces, and be careful with foot placement to avoid sprains. Take care at the top of the gorge as there are strong wind gusts. The water is not permanent, there aren't any facilities present, and the place is quite exposed. Be sure to bring plenty of water and wear sturdy walking shoes. 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.
Warning This journey requires significant bushwalking experience, specialised equipment and navigation skills. Please ensure you and your group well prepared and equiped for this journey.
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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.
Turn right onto Minilya-Exmouth Road and drive for another 98.8 km
Turn left onto Yardie Creek Road and drive for another 53.7 km
Turn left onto Mandu Mandu Gorge Access and drive for another 1.1 km
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the carpark at the end of Mandu Mandu Gorge Access Road, Cape Range National Park, head along the trail past the 'Mandu Mandu Gorge' informative sign. After about 50m, keep left and pass by the 'Walk Trail' sign to your right. Head along the subtly formed dirt trail gently uphill to continue the Mandu Mandu Gorge Loop(clockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
There is a car park (about 15 m back from the start).
After 1.1 km find the "Mandu Mandu Gorge plateau viewpoint" (on your right).
Mandu Mandu Gorge plateau viewpoint
Mandu Mandu Gorge plateau viewpoint
The plateau on the northern ridge provides spectacular views towards the Ningaloo Coast and back over the gorge.
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The plateau on the northern ridge provides spectacular views towards the Ningaloo Coast and back over the gorge.
After another 190 m find the "Mandu Mandu Gorge" (20 m on your right).
Mandu Mandu Gorge
Mandu Mandu Gorge
The sheer walls of the gorge were carved by an ancient river over millions of years. There are three layers of rock here: Mandu, Trealla and Tulki. Trealla is the thinnest and Tulki is the hardest layer, but Mandu is the most exposed rock-bed layer.
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The sheer walls of the gorge were carved by an ancient river over millions of years. There are three layers of rock here: Mandu, Trealla and Tulki. Trealla is the thinnest and Tulki is the hardest layer, but Mandu is the most exposed rock-bed layer.
After another 85 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
After another 195 m cross the ford.
After another 450 m cross the ford.
After another 100 m cross the ford.
After another 5.8 km come to the end.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Mandu Mandu Gorge Loop
Grading
Class 5/6
Very challenging
Length
7.9 km
Time
45 min to 1 h 30 min
Quality of track
Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)