Tour boat travels through Yardie Creek Gorge between rugged red cliffs, with the Ningaloo coast beyond.

    Yardie Creek Gorge in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

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    Yardie Creek

    Water Feature

    Yardie Creek is a tidal creek cutting through the western edge of Cape Range before reaching the Ningaloo coast. Red limestone cliffs rise above the water, with mangroves, exposed rock and arid vegetation lining the gorge and creek mouth. The contrast between sheltered water, rugged gorge walls and the surrounding dry landscape provides opportunities for landscape, wildlife and reflection photography.

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    Gallery

    Tour boat travels through Yardie Creek Gorge between rugged red cliffs, with the Ningaloo coast beyond.

    Yardie Creek Gorge in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

    Yardie Creek winds between red limestone cliffs toward the turquoise waters of the Ningaloo coast.

    Yardie Creek meeting the Ningaloo coast in Cape Range National Park, Western Aus…

    Yardie Creek winds between rugged red limestone cliffs in Cape Range National Park.

    Yardie Creek Gorge in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

    Red limestone cliffs rise above the blue waters and mangroves of Yardie Creek Gorge.

    Yardie Creek Gorge in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

    Late sunlight reflects along Yardie Creek as it winds through Cape Range toward the Indian Ocean.

    Yardie Creek Gorge in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

    Yardie Creek winds between rugged red limestone cliffs in Cape Range National Park.

    Yardie Creek Gorge in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

    Four-wheel-drive vehicle approaches a creek crossing beside a sign marking 4WD-only access at Yardie Creek.

    Four-wheel-drive access at Yardie Creek in Cape Range National Park, Western Aus…

    Walking terrain through rugged limestone cliffs and native vegetation at Yardie Creek Gorge.

    Yardie Creek Gorge in Cape Range National Park, Western Australia.

    Quick Facts

    Access

    Short Walk

    15–45 min

    Elevation Gain

    30 m

    Best Light

    Morning
    Golden Hour

    Low-angle light reveals texture in the gorge walls, while sheltered sections of Yardie Creek can reflect the surrounding cliffs and vegetation.

    Why This Light

    Low-Angle Relief
    Reflections

    Season

    Seasonally Distinct

    Summer brings intense heat, brighter arid vegetation and occasional rainfall that can alter creek and road conditions. Winter brings cooler, drier conditions, clearer skies and more subdued vegetation across the surrounding Cape Range.

    Crowds

    Often Busy

    Restrictions

    Fee Common

    Yardie Creek is reached by road through Cape Range National Park, with parking near the creek mouth and access to short walking trails along the gorge. A park entry fee applies. Boat tours provide a different perspective from within the gorge, while walking access remains on designated trails. Road and creek conditions can change after significant rainfall, so current park information should be checked before travel.

    Photography Notes

    From the walking trails, use bends in the creek as leading lines beneath the limestone walls, with elevated positions providing broader views toward the gorge and coast. Reflections can simplify compositions when the water is calm, while longer focal lengths help isolate cliff textures, vegetation and wildlife along the gorge. Morning and late light add relief to the rock faces; from the water, lower viewpoints emphasise the height of the enclosing cliffs.
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