4
Introductory to Moderate
Activities
  • 2 days trekking, 2 days sea kayaking and snorkeling
Accommodation
  • 1 night wilderness camping
  • 2 nights beach camping
Meals
  • 3 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 3 Breakfasts

4 Days$2350AUD

View Inclusions
THIS TRIP IS
100% CARBON OFFSET
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Trip Code: EATK

Trip highlights

  • Trek through the ancient gorges, rugged ridges and hidden valleys of Cape Range National Park, looking for ancient, fossilised corals and local wildlife on this off-the-beaten-track adventure
  • Travel the stunning Ningaloo coastline in your self-sufficient sea kayak - an amazing and unique way to immerse yourself in the unique landscape and get back to nature
  • Snorkel different sites daily. You'll be amazed at the diversity and abundance of marine life that Ningaloo supports! The snorkelling is world-class, and not only do we visit the traditional sites such as Turquoise Bay, Oyster Stacks and Lakeside, but other sites that aren’t on any map. Snorkelling from your kayak is a memorable experience, and it gives us access to some incredible areas of pristine reef
  • Camp at different, undeveloped camp sites in your very own 'million-star hotel' each night: enjoy the peaceful lapping of the waves, spectacular west coast sunsets and clear night skies

Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park are approximately 1260km north of Perth, Western Australia, situated on the border of the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions, adjacent to the town of Exmouth. The traditional custodians of Nyinggulu, the Yinigudera and Baiyungu people, are a saltwater people, and have over 36,000 years of history and culture along the Ningaloo Coast. In 2011, the Ningaloo Coast was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This World Heritage listing recognises the outstanding universal value of the area's diverse and abundant marine life, it's amazing cave fauna, and the spectacular contrast between the colourful underwater scenery and the arid and rugged land of the Cape Range.

This 4 Day Trek & Kayak Expedition offers the opportunity to thoroughly explore this incredible area by land and sea. The tour begins with 2 days of guided trekking. Get off the beaten track and explore the upper reaches of Yardie Creek, traversing the rugged ridges and making camp high on Cape Range, overlooking Ningaloo Reef. The following day you will make your way down through hidden valleys and across the coastal plain to rendezvous with your kayak guides mid-afternoon. It’s then time to make the transition from trekking gear to sea kayaking, before paddling off into the turquoise lagoons of Ningaloo for 2 days and 2 nights of sheltered sea kayaking, world class snorkeling and secluded beach camping.

Activities:

Itinerary

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7.15am to 7.30am – Depending on where you are staying in Exmouth, our team will pick you up to join your guides and fellow expeditioners at our base for a pre-trip meeting and gear fit out. You’ll be kitted out with all the equipment you need for the sea kayaking and snorkeling portion of the tour, ready for your rendezvous tomorrow afternoon. It's then time to ensure that you are trek ready, before departing town to enjoy the 40-minute journey into Cape Range National Park. Stop in at Milyering Visitor Centre for a quick break before our trek begins. Once at our start point, it’s time for a safety brief and to ensure our packs are snug. Our first steps take us alongside picturesque Yardie Creek Gorge; as we ascend the Range, we keep a keen eye out for the rare Black Flanked Rock Wallabies and the myriad of birdlife that call this place home. It’s not long until we glance back and enjoy sweeping views of Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range stretching away into the distance. We spend the rest of the day exploring the upper reaches of Yardie Creek and make our way to the top of the Range to camp. Once packs are off, camp is set, and meals cooked, we spend the evening spotting for Humpback Whales and enjoy the changing colours as the sun sets below the horizon. You will never forget your night in this remote corner of Western Australia, atop Cape Range overlooking Ningaloo Reef and the Indian Ocean with the Milky Way above.

Meals:  L,D

Rising with the sun, we enjoy a hearty breakfast and continue with our adventure. Making our way down through ancient wave-cut sandstone terraces, we cross the coastal plains where it’s not uncommon to see Western Grey Kangaroos, Dingoes, or perhaps the shy but spiky Short Beaked Echidna. Once over the coastal dunes, it’s not long till our boots are off, and we’re enjoying a dip in the refreshing crystal clear waters of the Ningaloo lagoon. We then beach-comb our way along pristine coastline and meet up with our kayaking guides. Osprey Bay is our usual launch point for this tour, and upon arrival, your guides will assist you in the transition from trekking gear to kayaks: they’ll familarise you with your kayak; and you’ll learn the best way to pack your gear. Following a paddle briefing and safety talk, a quick look over the maps and charts of the area whilst talking about the plan for the next few days, it's off the explore the wonders of Ningaloo! Today we'll enjoy a short paddle in the stunning turquoise lagoon to our campsite for the night, looking for turtles and other marine life along the way, before we pull up to a beach to make camp for the night amongst the sand dunes. A delicious dinner under the stars rounds out the day before we settle in for a satisfying nights’ sleep.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our day starts at 7am with an alfresco beach brekky. Early risers will smell the coffee drifting to their tent and may wish to come and grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy a sunrise walk on the beach. It’s then time to pack down our tents and get prepped for another amazing day exploring Ningaloo. Today we paddle a beautiful stretch of Ningaloo coastline, encompassing some of the best shore-based snorkeling in the area. With 11kms to our campsite this afternoon, we can settle into the rhythms of nature and focus on immersing ourselves in the wonders of Ningaloo. Oyster Stacks and Turquoise Bay are 2 well-known sites that we may stop (tide-depending) and snorkel along the way today, and we have other sites that we can snorkel from the kayaks if we feel like it too. Between snorkeling and lunch on the beach, the kayaking is divided into manageable sections, even for those that aren’t super experienced sea kayakers. We aim to arrive at our wilderness beach camp site around 4pm this afternoon, giving us time to set up our tents and have a quick dip before we dry off and settle in for a sundowner. Another hearty and healthy dinner under the stars rounds out the day before we settle in for a rejuvenating sleep.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is our last day on the water, and we make the most of it! Our day starts again at 7am with a delicious breakfast, coffee and tea. Once out on the water, we have a total of 8kms to our tour end point. As we paddle out into the clear lagoon waters, look for turtles and rays under our kayaks. This section of lagoon is also good for spotting dugong in season (late May - August), so keep an eye out! During the paddle today, you might also marvel at the stunning contrast between reef and range: the juxtaposition of turquoise waters, deserted sandy beaches and coral reef with the arid shrublands and ancient gorges of Cape Range: uniquely beautiful. We've got one of our favourite snorkel sites saved for our last day, a beautiful shore-based site teeming with life. After a snorkel and lunch on the beach we have a short paddle to reach our end point, where it's then time to unpack our kayaks and load them on the trailer. We’ll then make the 45-minute return journey to Exmouth town and your accommodation, where we’ll drop you off around 4pm, with a promise to have the complimentary photos of your adventure, taken by your guide, available online as soon as we can. Guaranteed you'll be buzzing with the amazing experiences that you've just had whilst exploring Ningaloo and Cape Range, and even if you feel a tad weary, you'll feel energised and inspired by your Ningaloo memories. As a highly recommended activity, we suggest considering a whaleshark tour if you are in town prior or post your tours departure. This can be seamlessly added to your tour either during the booking process or by consulting with your reservations consultant, ensuring a hassle-free and memorable experience.

Meals:  B,L

Inclusions

What's included

  • Complimentary pick up from, and drop off to, Exmouth accommodation
  • Double sit-inside sea kayaks with rudder for comfortable cruising, paddles
  • PFDs (life jackets), spray decks, gloves and dry bags
  • Long sleeve sun shirts, broad-brim hats
  • Kayaking camping gear includes: twin-share tents, pillows, self-inflating mattresses, sleeping bags and liners, camp chairs
  • Snorkeling gear: snorkel, mask and fins, wetsuit in season
  • One-Planet High Plains Backpack and liner
  • One Planet Goondie Mesh - Two person tent
  • Trekking sleep-system includes: Sleeping bag, Sleeping bag liner, pillow slip to stuff in your soft clothes for use as a pillow, Sea to Summit Ultralight sleeping mat
  • Stuff bags for clothes and personal effects
  • Jetboil MiniMo Cooking System, plus gas canister, Cutlery, plastic mug
  • Nalgene 1.5 L water containers
  • Head torch
  • Hiking poles
  • Gaiters
  • All meals - 3 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners + Snacks
  • National Park entry and camping fees
  • Qualified and experienced guides
  • Group first aid kit, risk management, emergency planning and communications
  • Complimentary tour photos taken by your guide

  • Flights to and from departure points
  • Pre or post tour accommodation
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Alcoholic beverages (BYO welcome)

Accommodation

Trek Camping

Our wilderness campsite is a true gem of the North West Cape, a red sand oasis amongst the rocky ramparts of Cape Range, overlooking the Indian Ocean and reef below. You will spend the night under the stars in a “cosy for two” two-person tent - If travelling alone, you should have plenty of room to spread out. Up here, where water is a rare (and heavy) commodity, a “wet- one’s” wipe-down will have to suffice for the night's shower. However, sitting back in your comfy hiking chair, sharing cheese and biscuits and perhaps a cup of wine, you could want for nothing more.

Beach Camping

Each afternoon we pull up our kayaks at a different beach, and, in between stories of the day, set up our camp for the night. Everything needed for a delicious meal and comfortable night’s sleep is carried in in the kayaks with us. We endeavour to make your camping experience as comfortable as possible. Camping equipment supplied includes twin-share (3-person) hiking dome tents (private ‘single’ tents are available for a $50 single supplement), self-inflating Thermarest-style mattresses, sleeping bag and liner, inflatable pillow and camp chair. As our campsites are wilderness sites (they are completely un-developed), we are very careful to respect the fragile environment within which we are travelling, operating under a strict minimal impact ethos. We carry a portable toilet, and all of our waste is carried out with us. (We have developed a good system for this, but let’s leave the particulars a surprise!). All of our fresh water is carried in the kayaks, so fresh water for washing is very limited. After setting up camp, you may choose to go for a relaxing stroll along the beach, read a few pages of a good book, grab some snacks and a drink and settle in for a west coast sunset, or just relax and reflect on the beauty of your surroundings. No fires are permitted at any of our camp sites, however the star gazing opportunities are second to none!

Trail Surface

Rugged terrain

This is an authentic, immersive experience, and as such, once we leave the main walking trail at Yardie Creek, we will be traversing some stunningly beautiful though rugged country. Worn-in walking boots or shoes are a must, as are a good level of fitness and agility. We will be covering a total distance of approximately 18 km - just over 7 km ascending Cape Range on day one & 10 km on day two, as we descend the Range and explore the Western Coastal Plain and Ningaloo Coastline. Here the rugged terrain dictates our pace.

Suitability

Introductory to Moderate

4

This tour is suitable for those with at least an average level of fitness and agility, and prior camping, hiking and kayaking experience. Guests aged 60 years or over are required to complete a medical form signed off by your doctor stating that they are fit to undertake the tour as described. Your trek does at times involve negotiating steep rocky gullies and rough, uneven ground; packs can weigh up to 15 kg. As we begin our trek to the top of the range in the late morning/early afternoon, daytime temperatures at certain times of the year can reach above 30°C. Group members will be asked to assist in carrying at least a 15kg share of loaded sea kayaks up and down the beach each day, sometimes over soft sand with short inclines, and helping to carry group gear to and from the kayaks each morning and afternoon. Suggested preparation: We recommend 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise three times a week, from a minimum of three months period to your departure. This can include swimming, jogging, hard walking or cycling - good cardiovascular exercise. For treks, hill or stair walking with a 7kg daypack is also highly recommended at least once a week.

Departure dates


Notes

NB:
All pricing is on a twin share basis. For those wishing to have a private 'solo' tent, a $50 single supplement applies. You are welcome to bring your own lightweight, hiking style tent to avoid the single supplement, as long as it is compact and will be appropriate for the trip (please provide details of the tent to confirm).
NB:
We are happy to cater for vegetarians and other special dietary requirements. Please note that there is a $10 surcharge for dietary requirements (other than vegetarian) including vegan, gluten free/coeliac, FODMAP etc, due to the costs of sourcing special ingredients from our small, remote town. You are welcome to bring your own alternatives to avoid this surcharge. Please contact us if you have any questions.
NB:
Secure parking inside our fenced yard, at 24 Pelias St, is available for $10/day. This is not undercover – your vehicle will be exposed to the elements. Parking is available on the verge outside our premises free of charge.
NB:
Experienced sea kayakers may request exclusive use of a single kayak for the duration of the tour (limit of 2 per departure) for an additional supplement of $100.You may be asked to provide evidence of past multi-day experience successfully paddling a fully loaded single expedition sea kayak in a variety of sea conditions for this option.

Priceper person from

$2350AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Dietary Requirement - Excluding VegetarianAUD$10
  • Secure ParkingAUD$40
  • Single Supplement - TentAUD$50
  • Single KayakAUD$100
  • Whale Shark Tour (March - July) - Observer Only (stay onboard boat)AUD$250
  • Off Peak Whale Shark & Ningaloo Reef Tour (August - October) - Child (up to 17 years old)AUD$350
  • Off Peak Whale Shark & Ningaloo Reef Tour (August - October) - AdultAUD$400
  • Whale Shark Tour (March - July) - Child (up to 17 years old)AUD$410
  • Whale Shark Tour (March - July) - AdultAUD$480
*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Trek and Kayak Ningaloo Expedition trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Luggage storage is available at our office in Exmouth. We have a luggage storage room and a safe for valuables.

Minimum age for this tour is 16 years old. A private tour or a custom trek & kayak expedition may be an option for family groups. Please get in touch for more info.

Sometimes, you will park the kayaks on the beach then snorkel, while other times you will anchor/attach to a buoy and go snorkelling. If you are out in the water, there is a technique to getting out of the water and back into your kayak that your guides will show you, which is easy to manage.

All levels of swimming ability are welcome. All of our guests wear PFDs (lifejackets) whilst kayaking and are welcome to wear them whilst snorkelling if needed. Our guides will run through the basics of snorkelling and are great teachers! However, to fully enjoy this tour, and not impede the enjoyment of other guests, we recommend at least a basic level of snorkelling and swimming competence.

We need a minimum of 4 people to confirm tour departure and take a maximum of 12 guests. Private tours or custom group tours are available, please contact us for details.

We will trek between 7 and 10 kms each day, carrying a pack that may weigh up to 15 kms over uneven terrain.

We usually paddle anywhere between 6 and 12 kms over the day, depending on how the group is travelling and prevailing weather conditions. The daily itinerary is designed so that we travel with the prevailing breeze. We aim to provide the opportunity for 2 snorkels at different locations throughout the day. This, along with stops on the beach for morning tea and lunch, means that the paddling is broken up into manageable sections, with usually no more than 1 hour spent in the kayak at any one time. No previous sea kayaking experience is necessary, however we do recommend having at least an average level of fitness and agility to enjoy this tour. Our guides will give you the skills and info you need to safely paddle your sea kayak, as well as handy hints and tips along the way.

This tour is ‘expedition camp’ style, meaning we carry all of our gear with us, and set up camp with only the gear that we have brought with us. We provide all the gear to make you as comfortable as possible: quality tents, self-inflating mattresses (Thermarest-style), sleeping bags and liners, inflatable pillows, camp chairs. The campsites we use are un-developed with no established facilities; we carry our toilet with us. Access to fresh water for washing is limited as we must carry all our fresh water with us.

Yes, if we have ample notice, it is no problem catering for specific dietary requirements, intolerances and allergies. There is a $10 surcharge for specific dietary requirements (not including vegetarian, but including vegan, gluten free, FODMAP etc), due to the costs associated with sourcing special products from our small remote town.

There is limited mobile phone reception in the tour area, we carry a satellite phone for emergencies. This is usually reserved for outgoing calls only (to preserve battery life). If you need to be contacted urgently, our office can be contacted on 0477 685 123, and if necessary, someone will drive out to deliver a message.

No, we are completely off-grid on this tour. We recommend bringing spare batteries for camera and Go Pros and switching your phone to 'flight mode' to save battery. If you have a small power bank or solar charging device, these can be handy to bring along.

Please note that we don’t see Whale sharks on this tour, as we generally paddle inside the fringing reef, and Whalesharks are outside the fringing reef. However there is an optional Whale Shark tour, available for inclusion in your itinerary prior or post your scheduled tour departure. Additional costs apply. For pricing details and bookings, kindly consult your reservations consultant. The boat company provides standard adult rates, family rates, and observer-only (non-swimming) rates for your convenience. Whale Sharks are more common in the area between March and July.

Trip reviews

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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Ningaloo Kayak Expedition

Activities:
Adult From:
$1350 AUD
Duration:

3Days

Grading:
4

Introductory to Moderate