Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Marine Park
Exmouth, Western Australia
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'Outback Coast and Historical Trail' Full Day 4WD Safari Tour
This is definitely 'the nature based 4WD safari tour' available from Exmouth. With a diversity of marine and terrestrial habitats and wildlife Exmouth Gulf Station is a bird watcher's and nature lover's delight. Daily tidal movements in Exmouth Gulf provide differing tours each day. Tourism access to this secluded area is only available with WestTreks.
The spectacular views from
the scenic drives that follow the razor back ridges of Charles Knife Road, and
the amazing rock formations seen from the gorge floor in Shothole Canyon will
surprise and delight you. Don't forget your camera ! Our own grand
canyons.
Did you know that the first significant flow of oil in Australia was found at Rough Range on Exmouth Gulf Station? Exmouth Gulf Station has been run by the Lefroy family since 1932.
Today oil is still being pumped and you will gain panoramic views from Rough Range over the Gulf and towards Cape Range anticline.
Lunch on a beach, far from the crowds,
at the Bay of Rest is an informative and relaxing time before we 4 wheel drive
along beaches with natural deposits of reef materials - shells, seaweed, drift
wood, sponges and coral - all deposited by storm surges and tidal movement. A
relaxing walk along an isolated beach is full of discoveries.
At low tide we can stroll around the tidal flats or a coral garden with micro-atolls. Hard and soft corals, sponges and sea grasses are easy to see at low tide. Sea creatures such as octopus, stingrays, sea hares, nudibranchs are often found in tidal pools. How do they survive this hostile environment which is cooked by the sun at low tides and pounded by waves at high tides?
High tide is when the wading birds are numerous - terns, sand pipers, plovers, herons, egrets and more. While 4 wheel driving along the beaches ospreys, brahminy kites, wrens, kingfishers, pelicans and sea eagles are regularly seen.
Along the water's edge a high tide will provide you with views of the marine life - turtles, shovelnose rays, sharks, fish, and stingrays.
The occasional sighting of wild brumbies is a thrill and their foals are beautiful.
An 'Outback Coast Wildlife and Historical Trail' safari tour is full of historical information and wildlife viewing - definitely the best nature based tour available from Exmouth.
 | 4WD along isolated natural beaches |
| Rough Range - site of the first significant flow of oil in Australia |
| Exmouth Gulf Station - a working sheep station |
| Enjoy a lunch at the beachside overlooking the Bay of Rest |
| Abundant and diverse marine and terrestrial wildlife |
| Historical sites |
| Charles Knife Road canyons |
| Shothole Canyon |
What to bring: hat, sun screen, personal water bottle, camera. We recommend walking shoes or boots, and water shoes. You can replenish your personal water bottle with cold water on board the vehicle.
Pricing: $ AU 190.00 Adult $ AU 150.00 Child (Child rate 12 yrs & under). Includes: access fee, morning/afternoon teas and lunch.
Tour commences at 7.45am and returns approx 5.30pm.
This site was last updated 31-Mar-2010