Gorge walks & hiking
Gorge walks & hikingWalk through ancient limestone gorges where red cliffs frame the turquoise reef and black-footed rock-wallabies watch from the rocks.
Cape Range rises behind the coast as a rugged limestone spine, slashed by deep gorges where ancient rivers once ran. Hiking here is a study in contrasts — arid spinifex plateaus and sheer red canyons on one side, the brilliant blue of Ningaloo Reef on the other. The walks are short but rich, most done in a morning, and each gorge has its own character.
The signature loops are Mandu Mandu (the rim then a dry riverbed, with good odds of rock-wallabies at dawn) and Yardie Creek (a rim walk above the only gorge holding permanent water, lined with birdlife). For keen walkers, the Badjirrajirra Loop off Charles Knife Road threads gorges and spinifex; Shothole Canyon is a rugged 4WD canyon drive.
What’s special is the combination found almost nowhere else: a World Heritage reef beside an arid range. Expect heat, exposed rock and big views — and plan to start early and finish before the day heats up.
When to go
Best April–September/October (cooler dry season); avoid the hot months (Nov–Mar, often >45°C in the gorges). Year-round, start early.
See the full when-to-visit calendar →Experiences
How it works
- All gorge walks are self-guided and marked — no tour needed.
- Difficulty ranges from easy/moderate short rim walks (Yardie Creek, Mandu Mandu) to the strenuous Badjirrajirra Loop (~7.9 km, Class 4).
- Trails are rocky and uneven; several lookouts are reachable by car. Park entry fees apply.
More info
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