Name: 3-Day Trek Exmouth to Ningaloo - Coast Wilderness Trek
Brand: Zero Trace Tours
SKU: 44653910360240
Price: 1995.0 AUD
Availability: InStock

Start and Finish

Exmouth, WA

Small Groups

Maximum 8 People

Full Distance

38 KM

Difficulty

Moderate to Challenging

Climate +

200% Co2 Offset

Three adventurers hiking through rugged terrain in Cape Range, enjoying an all-inclusive outdoor trek experience.

3‑Day Trek from Exmouth to Ningaloo | Cape Range East‑West Traverse

Cape Range Coast-to-Coast: 3-Day Supported Wilderness Trek

Trek coast to coast through one of Western Australia’s most rugged and remote landscapes. This 3-day wilderness journey carves a line through the ancient limestone canyons of Cape Range National Park—beginning on the eastern ridges and finishing at the turquoise edge of the Ningaloo Coast. Carrying only a daypack, you’ll hike in the company of expert guides while a support crew transports your gear and sets up each remote campsite.

Expect rocky ridgelines, dramatic gorges, and untouched starlit skies as you follow in the footsteps of the region’s Traditional Owners and early explorers. With private access to sections of the park and a small-group feel, this trek is as exclusive as it is unforgettable.

Quick Facts

Duration: 3 days
Style: Supported wilderness trek — daypack only
Region/Route: Cape Range National Park — Eastern ridges → Ningaloo Coast
Group: Small-group, expert-guided
Overnights: Remote camps set by support crew
Access: Private access to select park sections

Trip Highlights

Carve a line through ancient limestone canyons
Traverse rocky ridgelines and dramatic gorges
Go coast-to-coast from high country to the turquoise reef edge
Sleep beneath untouched starlit skies at remote camps
Walk with Traditional Owner context and early explorer routes
Enjoy an exclusive feel with private access and a small-group vibe

View Operator Terms & Conditions

$350.00

RESERVE WITH DEPOSIT

Key Tour Info

Distance: 14km · Grade: Moderate

The trek begins inland, where the eastern foothills of Cape Range rise from the red earth. After an early morning gear check and briefing near Exmouth, the group sets out on foot—following dry creek beds and sweeping canyon lines toward the spine of the range.

It’s a steady climb, with every step offering broader views over Exmouth Gulf and the vast emptiness beyond. By afternoon, the group reaches the heart of the Cape: high, remote, and silent.

Camp is set among ancient limestone and open sky. As night falls, the stars arrive in their thousands.

Distance: 15km · Grade: Moderate to Challenging

Wake with the sun and follow the range west toward the sea. The route runs alongside Mandu Mandu Gorge, where glimpses of the Indian Ocean appear on the horizon.

Descend through exposed wave-cut terraces—fossilised remnants of an ancient reef—until land gives way to turquoise water.

The day finishes on the shoreline of Ningaloo Reef, where a post-hike swim feels more like a reward than a rinse. Camp is pitched on soft sand just metres from the tide line.

Dinner is served with a sunset, and the night sounds of ocean and wind replace all else.

Distance: 8km | Grade: Easy

Ease into the final day with a gentle hike north along the edge of the continent. This stretch follows quiet beaches, rocky headlands, and dune-backed coves—prime territory for spotting rays, turtles, and even the occasional breaching humpback.

There’s time to snorkel, swim, and let the reef speak for itself. The journey ends at Turquoise Bay—arguably one of the most beautiful coastal points in Western Australia—before returning to Exmouth by vehicle, salt-skinned and soul-full.

Where You’ll Be Staying & What You’ll Be Eating

Forget hotels—this journey unfolds under wide skies and rust-red cliffs. Camp is set in hand-picked wilderness locations each night, from high in Cape Range to the white sands of the Ningaloo Coast.

Night 1: Remote inland campsite deep within Cape Range

Night 2: Beachfront camp on the edge of the Indian Ocean

Lightweight tents are supplied for a comfortable night’s sleep, with sleeping mats and bags included. Campsites are off-grid and wild—no facilities, just nature. All gear is carried in, packed out, and set up as a group.

What’s Cooking

Meals are wholesome, hearty, and designed for life on the trail. Think generous portions, real ingredients, and zero-fuss preparation.

Breakfasts are simple and energising—muesli, fruit, hot drinks, and bush-style favourites.

Lunches are served trail-side or at scenic rest spots, with fresh salads, wraps, or grain bowls.

Dinners are nourishing and satisfying—usually one-pot meals prepared together at camp. Expect something warm, spiced, and deeply appreciated after a long day.

Snacks, trail treats, and plenty of tea and coffee are available throughout. Dietary requirements are catered for—just note them at the time of booking.

This is back-to-basics done right. No glamping, no gimmicks—just good food, wild places, and nights you’ll remember.

✅ What’s Included

Itinerary Activities

Fully guided 3-day trek from the eastern foothills of Cape Range to the Ningaloo Coast
Stargazing and remote camping beneath dark skies
Snorkelling, swimming, and beach walking along Ningaloo Reef
Wildlife spotting opportunities: turtles, rays, emus, wedge-tailed eagles & more

Guides

Experienced local wilderness guide (and naturalist)
Supportive, safety-focused, and deeply knowledgeable about the region’s ecosystems and stories

Accommodation

2 nights wild camping in scenic, remote locations
Lightweight swags, sleeping mats, and sleeping bags provided
Campsites are off-grid and carry-in/carry-out (no fixed facilities)

Meals

All meals from morning tea on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3
Trail breakfasts, picnic lunches, and nourishing campfire dinners
Snacks, fruit, tea, coffee, and electrolyte top-ups along the way
Dietary needs catered for (please advise when booking)

Transport

Return transfers from Exmouth to/from the trail
Gear shuttling and support vehicle logistics included

Equipment & Support

Use of trekking poles and daypacks (if needed)
Dry bags, communal cooking gear, and all group equipment
Emergency comms and satellite safety device carried at all times

Fees & Impact

National Park access fees
Responsible trekking practices with minimal environmental footprint
A portion of each booking goes toward coastal restoration projects

🚫 What’s Not Included

Accommodation in Exmouth before or after the trip – You’ll need to book this separately.
Travel to/from Exmouth – Flights, buses, and airport transfers are not included.
Alcohol – BYO if you’d like something to sip under the stars.
Personal hiking gear – Bring your own clothing, boots, and water bottles.
Travel insurance – Strongly recommended in case of cancellation or medical needs.

Seasonal Weather Expectations

Cape Range National Park sits on the doorstep of the Ningaloo Coast, meaning conditions are often dry, sunny, and stunning—but also variable. This is wild country, and it pays to be prepared.

March to May (Autumn):

Expect warm days (25–33°C) and cooler nights (14–20°C). Winds are usually mild and sea conditions favourable for snorkelling. Occasional late-summer storms may roll through early in the season.

June to August (Winter):

Mild trekking weather with daytime temps averaging 22–28°C. Nights can dip below 10°C, especially inland, so pack a warm layer. This is the best season for wildlife spotting—whale sightings, emus, and wildflowers abound.

September to October (Spring):

Hotter, drier days creep in (28–36°C) and evenings stay mild. The land is alive with blooms and the reef still teeming with life. Earlier starts and shaded breaks help manage the heat.

Key Note:

The East–West Traverse is deliberately timed to avoid the extreme heat of summer (Nov–Feb). If the forecast spikes or unexpected weather rolls in, your guide may adjust the itinerary for safety and comfort.

Ready for What to Pa

What to Pack

This is a genuine wilderness trek—off-grid, self-supported, and unforgettable. What you bring matters. Your gear should be reliable, lightweight, and suited for three days of carrying everything on your back.

🏕 Essentials:

60–70L hiking pack (good condition, with padded hip belt)
Sleeping bag (rated to at least 5°C)
Inflatable or foam sleeping mat
Compact pillow or stuff sack with clothes inside
Headtorch (with spare batteries)
Reusable water bottles/bladder (3–4L total capacity)
Trekking poles (strongly recommended)
Dry bags or liners to keep your gear protected

👕 Clothing:

Lightweight hiking shirts (long sleeves for sun protection)
Quick-dry hiking pants or shorts
Thermal base layer (top & bottom for cool nights)
Fleece or lightweight puffer jacket
Rain jacket (breathable and packable)
Wide-brim hat + Buff or neck gaiter
Underwear & socks (merino or synthetic preferred)
Swimwear (for dips in the reef)
Sleepwear (warm enough for outdoor camping)

👟 Footwear:

Worn-in hiking boots or trail shoes (no brand-new boots!)
Camp shoes/sandals (lightweight, for beach and evenings)

🧼 Personal Items:

Toothbrush & toothpaste
Small biodegradable soap
Quick-dry travel towel
Personal meds & blister kit
Sunscreen, lip balm, and insect repellent
Toilet paper + small hand sanitiser
Waste bags (Leave No Trace)

📸 Optional But Handy:

Snorkel & mask (optional – some may be provided)
Camera or phone (in waterproof case)
Notebook/journal
Small daypack (foldable, for beach wanders)

Your guide will carry group safety equipment, first aid, maps, and a PLB (personal locator beacon). Shared group gear and food will be evenly distributed among all guests.

Pack thoughtfully. Carry lightly. And get ready to walk where few others do.

Your Tour Offsets drive far more than Tree Planting — We Go Climate Positive By Design | Click Here to View the Method

Zero Trace CO₂e Report — 3-Day Trek from Exmouth to Ningaloo (Cape Range NP)

Results Summary (Topline)

Estimated total per person: ≈ 581 kg CO₂e
Offset per person (200%): ≈ 1.16 t CO₂e

Method: high-estimate with Well-to-Tank (WTT) and aviation non-CO₂ effects via RF = 1.9; includes single-origin guest flights, all meals (included + off-tour), on-tour transport & stays, and +10% uncertainty uplift.

Purpose

Conservatively estimate greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂e) across Scopes 1–3 for this trek, report per person (with group totals for context), and state the 200% offset applied per person.

Key Tour Info

Region: Ningaloo Coast / Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
Duration: 3 days • Distance on foot: ~38 km • Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging
Start/Finish: Exmouth, WA
Group size used for context totals: 8 (maximum group size)
All-inclusive trek: guided traverse across Cape Range to the Ningaloo Coast (park access and logistics provided)

Scope & Boundaries

Scope 1: On-tour vehicle fuel (park shuttles/transfers).
Scope 2: Purchased electricity where directly attributable (generally covered via accommodation factors).
Scope 3: Guest flights to/from the tour start, accommodation (night equivalents), all meals (included + off-tour), supplier logistics proxies, plus uncertainty uplift. Capital goods excluded.
Method frame: GHG Protocol; distance-based factors for air/road with WTT; aviation RF = 1.9.

Feeder Hub (Guest Flights) — Single Origin Rule

Chosen origin hub: Perth (PER) (nearest major capital to Exmouth).
Routing applied: PER ↔ LEA (Learmonth) return for each guest. (Great-circle distance ≈ 1,091 km each way.)

Emission Factors & Conservative Defaults

Flights: UK GOV/DEFRA distance factors (economy), WTT included, RF = 1.9 applied.
Road (mini-coach/utility): Use higher “local bus/coach” passenger-km factor to bias conservative for small-group shuttles.
Accommodation: Room-night method (HCMI/CHSB regional benchmarks) applied to back-country nights to avoid under-counting.
Meals: Meat-heavy mixed diet average ≈ 2.5 kg CO₂e/meal (upper-bound).
Uncertainty uplift: +10% added where primary meter/fuel data is missing.

Activity Data Applied (this estimate)

Guest flights: PER ↔ LEA return (≈ 2,182 km total per person)
On-tour road (assumed): ~200 km total (Exmouth pickups/drop-offs + park shuttles)
Accommodation: 2 nights (room-night equivalents)
All meals consumed: 9 meals/person (3/day × 3), regardless of inclusions

Results — Per Person (high-estimate)

Flights (PER ↔ LEA, return; WTT + RF=1.9): ≈ 440 kg
On-tour road (~200 km; conservative passenger-km factor): ≈ 25 kg
Accommodation (2 nights; room-night benchmark): ≈ 40 kg
All meals (9 × ~2.5 kg): ≈ 23 kg
Subtotal: ≈ 528 kg
+10% uncertainty uplift: ≈ 53 kg
Estimated total per person: ≈ 581 kg CO₂e

Group total for context (8 guests): ≈ 4.65 t CO₂e. Offsets are applied per person only.

Assumptions (Transparent)

Origin hub fixed: Perth for all guests (nearest major capital).
Aviation treatment: Distance-based; WTT included; RF = 1.9 for non-CO₂ warming.
Road distance: Not specified on page; ~200 km assumed to conservatively cover park shuttles and end-point transfers.
Accommodation: Back-country nights converted to room-night equivalents using HCMI/CHSB benchmarks.
Meals: Count every meal during the tour window (9/person).
No powered “extra activity” assumed inside the 3-day trek window (walking-led itinerary).

Versioning

Generated 23 Aug 2025 (Australia/Perth). Factors reviewed at least annually or when official sources update.

References

Tour page — 3-Day Trek from Exmouth to Ningaloo (details, distance, logistics): Zero Trace Tours
UK Government — Greenhouse gas reporting conversion factors 2024 (transport/energy): GOV.UK
UK Government — Methodology 2024 (WTT; aviation treatment/RF): GOV.UK
GHG Protocol — Corporate Accounting & Reporting Standard (Scopes 1–3): GHG Protocol
Australia National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors 2024: DCCEEW • NGA PDF
ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator — Methodology v13 (CO₂ only; RF applied separately): ICAO
Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative (HCMI) methodology / CHSB region benchmarks: Sustainable Hospitality Alliance • Greenview Hotel Footprinting
Dietary emissions (upper-bound mixed meals; EPIC-Oxford context): University of Oxford
Great-circle distance (PER ↔ LEA ≈ 1,091 km each way): Air Miles Calculator

Local Insights — Exmouth • Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) • Cape Range (Trek Region)

Travel takes place on the lands and waters of the Baiyungu, Thalanyji and Yinigudira peoples. Culture leads—follow local guidance and respect cultural sites and seasonal closures.

Big-picture snapshot

A desert-meets-ocean corridor where limestone ranges drop to turquoise lagoons. Treks weave canyon rims, spinifex plateaus and coastal dunes, with shore-snorkel options before/after walk hours. Distances are short, exposure is real, and there’s no reliable drinking water inside the park—plan like it’s remote, because it is.

Seasons & climate (what actually changes)

Dry months (Apr–Oct): Calmer trekking conditions, cooler nights, excellent visibility.
Hot months (Nov–Mar): Heat + afternoon sea-breezes; start at first light, build long shade breaks, and carry serious water.
Cyclone window: Nov–Apr in the northwest—track alerts, be flexible, and avoid flood-prone backroads during systems.
Turtle season: Nesting Nov–Feb; hatching ~Jan–Mar on west-side beaches (red-light rules and guided programs apply).

Culture & conduct (essentials that matter)

Sacred places & stories are present across the cape—observe no-photo zones and all site signage.
Drones: Regulated—many areas allow recreational flying under rules, but wildlife/sanctuary zones and some sites restrict or prohibit use. Check park-specific guidance before launching.
Look, don’t touch: Leave shells, fossils and cultural artefacts in place.

Passes & bookings (plain English)

Park entry: WA park fees apply at Cape Range.
Camping: Advance bookings required for coastal campgrounds; sites are basic (toilets; no drinking water).
Maps: Grab the official visitor guide / maps and download offline versions before leaving town.

Water, safety & nav (read this)

No potable water in park day-use areas or camps. Carry all drinking water for walks and camp.
Hydration rule-of-thumb: ≥ 1 L per person per hour while walking in heat; add electrolytes for longer stints.
Exposure & footing: Trails are rocky, open and sun-hard—hat, long light layers, grippy footwear.
Comms: Expect patchy reception—carry a PLB/satellite device and leave a trip plan.

Trails & highlights (trek-friendly picks)

Mandu Mandu Gorge (3 km loop, Class 4): Rocky creek bed and rim-top views; excellent short canyon sampler.
Yardie Gorge Trail (to ~2 km): Clifftop track overlooking the gorge and reef line; watch for black-footed rock-wallabies.
Badjirrajirra (high-range loop from Thomas Carter Lookout): A Class 4 loop (~6 km) on the Cape Range crest with Shothole/Exmouth Gulf views—best early or late for colour and breeze.
Charles Knife & Shothole Canyons: East-side lookouts, rim walks and 4WD access into dramatic limestone gorges—iconic golden-hour spots.
Coast add-ons (if legs still lively): Lakeside for an all-tide gentle snorkel; Oyster Stacks at high tide only (to protect coral and for safe depth).

Recommendations & local-style tips

Sunrise on the range: Hit Charles Knife at first light—layered ridges over Exmouth Gulf make easy hero shots.
Wind-smart sequencing: Do ridge or gorge walks in the morning, then slide to coast or visitor-centre time when the afternoon breeze kicks up.
Tide gospel (reef side): Plan Oyster Stacks for high tide (~≥1.2 m); otherwise skip it and choose Lakeside.
Wildlife etiquette: Give wallabies space on Yardie’s ledges; no feeding near carparks or camps.
Night sky: The cape does serious Milky Way—check moon phase and pack a warm layer for after-dark chills.

Practical logistics

Fuel & food: Stock up in Exmouth; there’s no potable water at park camps/day-use.
Road mix: Main access is sealed; Shothole is 4WD-only; unsealed spurs can close after rain—carry a Plan B.
Reception: Patchy outside town; Telstra has the best odds, but still expect black spots.
Swim sense: In marine sanctuaries, don’t stand on coral; use designated entries and observe all no-take rules.

Zero Trace (do it right)

Pack out everything, keep soaps and food scraps out of water, stay on formed pads, and respect cultural, wildlife and fire/cyclone closures without debate. Aim simple: leave the next visitor feeling like the first.

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This is a genuine multi-day pack hike, so a good base level of fitness is essential. You’ll be carrying a pack weighing around 15–18 kg, covering up to 15 km per day across rugged terrain. If you’ve done overnight hikes before—or are keen to train for one—you’re in the right place.

Wilderness camping, off-grid and spectacular. Think stargazing from your sleeping mat, ocean breezes through your tent fly, and the hush of Cape Range at night. Tents and sleeping mats are provided.

Yes, this is a small-group guided tour with a maximum of 8 travellers. This ensures a more personal experience and low impact on the environment. The guides are experienced professionals who also double as cooks, storytellers, and safety leads

You’ll be picked up and dropped off in Exmouth.

This Tour Has An estimated footprint of :

-1.0tCO₂e

-1.0t 10.0t

0–2 t Low · 2–4 t Moderate · 4–6 t High · 6–8 t Very High · 8+ Extreme

What That Means

$1,995.00

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Find out More

Country/Region

Country/Region

Start and Finish

Small Groups

Full Distance

Difficulty

Climate +

Cape Range Coast-to-Coast: 3-Day Supported Wilderness Trek

Quick Facts

Trip Highlights

Key Tour Info

Distance: 14km · Grade: Moderate

Distance: 15km · Grade: Moderate to Challenging

Distance: 8km | Grade: Easy

Where You’ll Be Staying & What You’ll Be Eating

What’s Cooking

✅ What’s Included

🚫 What’s Not Included

Seasonal Weather Expectations

What to Pack

Zero Trace CO₂e Report — 3-Day Trek from Exmouth to Ningaloo (Cape Range NP)

Local Insights — Exmouth • Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) • Cape Range (Trek Region)

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Point A - B Travel Time Estimator

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This Tour Has An estimated footprint of :

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200% Restoration Offsets

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