I have always thought that the best holiday experiences are sometimes the ones where you get off the beaten track a little and experience some of the natural wonders of our land. During our trip around Australia we discovered many hidden treasures just waiting to be explored and they were mostly down rough dirt tracks or involved hiking on foot.

It’s probably no surprise that five out of the six best off-road Aussie adventures are located in the West. As far as wilderness areas, national parks and centuries old gorges go, West Australia provides some of the best.

Off the beaten track at El Questro, The Kimberley

However, from what I have heard and experienced, the Northern Territory, does have wilderness areas that are equally as splendid. Although we have visited the spectacular Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge we have much more to explore in this region. The Territory for us will hopefully be our next big adventure!

1.  Bungle Bungles, The Kimberley, WA

Purnululu National Park and the wondrous Bungle Bungles can be reached from either Kununurra or Halls Creek along the Great Northern Highway in the East Kimberley.

Domes shaped peaks of Bungle Bungles, WA

The turn off to the park is two to three hours from Kununurra (about 250 km) or one hour from Halls Creek (a good 100 km). To access the Bungle Bungles you need a sturdy 4WD vehicle as it is 53 Kms over very rough roads with creek crossings.

Livistona Palms lining Echidna Chasm

Unrivalled in their scale, grandeur and diversity of form anywhere in the world, are the Bungle Bungle Range’s extraordinary array of banded sandstone domes. Covering a whopping 45,000 hectares of the park, these dramatically sculptured natural formations are sometimes likened to black and orange striped ‘beehives’.

Cathedral Gorge Ampitheatre, Bungle Bungles

Walking tracks are the best way to explore the features of the Bungle Bungles. There are several trails available from easy one kilometre loops walks to more challenging two to seven day hikes.

• Echidna Chasm walk into a spectacular 200 m chasm with its varying colour hues;
• Mini Palms walk features soaring cliffs, livistona palms, two viewing platforms and an amphitheatre far below;

Piccaninny Gorge, Bungle Bungles

• The Domeswalk loops around banded domes towering majestically around you;
• Cathedral Gorge walk through striped domes, rock pools, towering cliffs and honeycomb rocks that lead to an amphitheatre and swimming hole;
• Piccaninny Gorge walk a challenging two to seven day hike into a remote and magnificent gorge leading to a lookout and spinifex covered grasslands.

2.  El Questro Wilderness Park, The Kimberley, WA

Only a short drive out along the Gibb River Road 58 Kms from Wyndham, is the El Questro Wilderness Park. The name El Questro conjures up images of a western town from an old western movie, with the rugged Cockburn Mountain Ranges forming the backdrop. All that is missing are the Cowboys and Indians and the Cacti.

Cockburn Ranges, The Kimberley

It is almost 1,000,000 acres in size with a diverse landscape of broad tidal flats and rugged sandstone ranges, to rainforest pockets, gorges and waterfalls. Animal and birdlife congregate at waterholes and the four river systems are home to all kinds of fish, including the mighty Barramundi.

Emma Gorge, El Questro

Emma Gorge offers a resort with eco-tent style accommodation and a scenic trail into the gorge which takes you along a rocky creek bed with changing vegetation, to crystal clear pools and waterfalls. The gorge is characterized by massive scree slopes and cliff face escarpments reaching up to 120m on both sides of the trail. At the end of the trail you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the icy plunge pool of Emma Gorge Pool and Falls.

Waterfall and Rock Pool at Emma Gorge, El Questro

A further 11 Kms along a sealed road is the turnoff to El Questro. Although a dirt road it is in fairly good condition, however there are several creek and river crossings that you have to negotiate, so it is strictly 4WD only.

Pentecost River, El Questro

The drive through into the park is very scenic and there are various turnoffs into places of interest, such as:

• Zebedee Springs– a short walk through lush Livistona and Pandanus Palms to thermal springs and pools.
• El Questro Gorge– trek along a spring-fed creek through palms and fern-clad escarpments which brings you to a small swimming hole.
  

  Zebedee Springs, El Questro

• Champagne Springs– a challenging walk that takes you along the Pentecost River to a series of clear pools and a spring-fed waterfall.
• Moonshine Gorge– a circuit trail walk with great views and leads into tall cliff faces and Livistona Palms on both sides with several waterholes to rest and swim in.
  

  El Questro Gorge

• Chamberlain Gorge– a leisurely boat cruise through spectacular river gorges.
• Explosion Gorge, Pigeon Hole and Saddleback Ridge– are all 4WD tracks that take you over rugged and challenging terrain to spectacular lookouts, waterholes and secret fishing spots.

3.  Kalbarri National Park, WA

Kalbarri is a coastal town located on the Murchison River in the mid-west region of West Australia, located 592 km north of Perth. The spectacular scenery of Kalbarri National Park is the result of millions of years of geological formation. As the Murchison River carves it way to the sea, magnificent red and white banded gorges have been cut by the flow.  These gorges meander 80 Kms through the 186,000 hectare park.

Kalbarri Gorge

A visit to this park of marvels is approximately 40 Kms east of Kalbarri and is accessible by all types of vehicles even though some of the roads are unsealed.

Z-Bend Gorge, which is considered to offer the most breathtaking views of the park, is reached by a 1.4 Km return walk trail from the car park to a lookout. The gorge plunges 150m down to the river below where red river gums create a striking contrast against the earthy sandstone cliffs.

Z Bend Gorge, Kalbarri National Park

A short 11 Km drive away is one of the most iconic natural attractions – Nature’s Window.  This rock has a window which frames the river perfectly and is top on the list of photo opportunities.

Nature’s Window, Kalbarri Gorge

For the more adventurous and experienced walkers, starting and ending at Nature’s Window is the 8 Km loop track which takes you through moderate to challenging terrain and spectacular scenery. The trail takes you along the rim of the gorge and deep down into the river gorge onto the sandy white banks of the river fringed with lovely red river gums.

River Bed at the Bottom of Kalbarri Gorge

4.  Torndirrup National Park, Albany, WA

Torndirrup National Park, which is located 15kms south of Albany on the Great Southern Ocean, although not strictly off the beaten track, is a rugged and spectacular peninsula made up of granite rock.

The Gap,Torndirrup National Park

Torndirrup National Park covers almost 4,000 hectares and is home to the famous Gap and Natural Bridge rock formations as well as The Blowholes which have formed over thousands of years. The park’s wind-pruned coastal heathlands put on a colourful display of wildflowers in spring which is popular with tourists.

Lighthouse & Coastal vegetation of Torndirrup National Park

You can drive into and enjoy most of Torndirrup National Park’s dramatic coastal scenery. Highlights including The Gap, Natural Bridge, Salmon Holes, Jimmy Newells Harbour and Sharp Point can be seen from viewing platforms located short distances from car parking areas.

Jimmy Newells Harbour,Torndirrup National Park

Natural Bridge, Torndirrup National Park

However there are two reasonably challenging hikes that you can take which take you completely off the beaten track:

• Peak Hike 4.3Km return walk to the peninsula’s southernmost peak can be reached via a rugged path that is steep in sections. Some rock scrambling is required to reach the summit.
  

  The Peak, Torndirrup National Park

• Bald Head Hike 12.5Kms return which is a challenging walk, with outstanding views, that leads over Isthmus Hill to Flinders Peninsula and on to Limestone Head and Bald Head. Terrain is steep and difficult in sections.

5.  Cape Range National Park, Exmouth, WA

40 Kms from Exmouth are spectacular rugged limestone ranges, breathtaking deep canyons and 50 Km of pristine beaches, known as the Cape Range National Park. Wildlife is abundant with a variety of birds, emus, euros and red kangaroos. There are also over 630 species of flowering plants which provide an amazing palette of colours in late winter when the wildflowers bloom.

Cape Range National Park, Exmouth

There are several coastal camping areas within the park which are ideal as a base to explore the 50,581 hectares of the Cape Range Park. Possibly the highlight of the National Park are the beaches such as Turquoise Bay, which really does have the most beautiful turquoise water, and Sandy Bay which has shallow clear waters ideal for swimming. You can also snorkel at Turquoise Bay – where there is a particularly good drift snorkel; Oyster Stacks – which is best accessed at high tide because of the sharp rocky oyster shelled areas; and Lakeside – a great snorkel spot for swimmers of average fitness and capability.

Sandy Bay, Cape Range National Park

If you are into bird watching visit Mangrove Bay which is a sanctuary zone including a bird hide and overlooks a lagoon area. There are also several gorges in the park including Mandu Mandu Gorge, Yardie Creek, Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Canyon which provide razor-backed ridges of the ranges and breathtaking downward views into stark multicoloured gorges. There are walking trails and lookout points at all of the gorges that provide great access into the gorges and fantastic photo opportunities.

Yardie Creek Gorge, Cape Range National Park

At Yardie Creek there is a boat cruise that takes you on a very relaxing and scenic cruise along Yardie Creek, winding its way through the steep gorges. A great alternative to hiking as the temperatures can be extreme in the canyons.

Creek at Cape Range National Park

6.  Point Labatt, Eyre Peninsula, SA

Point Labatt Conservation Park or Cape Labatt is approximately 51Km south of Streaky Bay,on the West Eyre Peninsula, and is accessible by unsealed road via Calca or Sceale Bay. The road can be bumpy, with severe corrugation in places on the drive in, so you have to go slowly.

Point Labatt, Eyre Peninsula, SA

Once you arrive at the cape there is a purpose built viewing platform 50 metres above a sea lion colony which allows you to closely observe the only permanent colony on the Australian mainland of Australian sea lions. Upward of 50 sea lions and seals can be seen under the cliff face all year round as they frolic, laze, swim or fish on the shoreline.

Sea Lions at Point Labatt, SA

The steep cliffs of the cape are spectacular as are the colour of the russet red flat rocks where the seals bask in the sun. I could easily wile away a few hours watching the playful sea lions darting in and out of the ocean.

Steep Cliffs at Point Labatt,SA

When it comes to rugged, untouched and untrodden terrain, Australia would have to offer some of the best wilderness locations in the world. However owning a 4WD vehicle and a good pair of hiking boots is mandatory for most of these places, as is a good sense of adventure and an open mind!

Where in the world have you travelled to that has been off the beaten track?

Check out my previous post Top 7 Australian Places: Remote and Remarkable

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