Jo takes a walk on top of an ancient reef and is met with the most spectacular view of the Gorge.
Cape Range National Park is 50,831ha of tranquil beaches, rugged ranges and great canyons. It offers contrasts from range to reef and within a few kilometres you pass from high plateaux and canyons to deep ocean. It is the only elevated limestone range on the north-west coast.
Yardie Creek Gorge, between Exmouth in the Cape Range National Park and the Milyering Visitor Centre along the Yardie Creek Road, is a highlight of the park. The ancient gorge has deep blue waters, red limestone cliff faces and a wonderful array of birds and wildlife, including the rare black-footed wallaby, with euros and red kangaroos dotting the coastal plain. A sandbar traps the water and the striking reflections of the sheer canyon's multi-coloured bands are breathtaking.
Flat-bottom boats with canopies are a great way to see the area. Commentaries tell you about its history, about the plants, birds and animals which live there and how the gorge was formed.
If you fancy walking, a 500-metre track meanders about the gorge's vertical red rock walls and overlooks Yardie Creek. It starts out quite flat but does become a little difficult as it ascends the range.
Another walk well worth doing is 1.5km from the end of the 500-metre walk along the northern side of the gorge. There are picnic areas and you will possibly spot wallabies sheltering on ledges.
Tours are privately run but overseen by Conservation and Land Management (CALM).
