Stockyard Gully

The Stockyard Gully Caves are one of Western Australia's best kept secrets. The main cave has a sandy bottom and is some 300m long from entrance to entrance. There are two shorter caves that are accessible for the more adventurous before reaching the "final" cave, which has no exit.

The caves can be approached from the Northern end via Lake Indoon or the southern end from Cockleshell Gully Road. 4WD is only required for the sandy tracks and is suitable for towing off-road trailers/vans. Any 4WD is appropriate, as the larger rocky limestone outcrops on the track have been flattened off by CALM.

Although this trek can be completed in one day (mostly driving), it is a great weekend away with overnight campout at nearby Lake Indoon.

Lake Indoon is a large, freshwater lake, which covers 130 hectares, with a depth varying from approximately 1.5m - 5m depending on the seasons and rainfall. It is approximately 4.5kms around the lake. The Lake Indoon facilities include camping grounds around the lake, an ablution block with hot water showers, and a tank for drinking water. The Carnamah Shire runs the campground at Lake Indoon with campsites available on a first-in first served basis. A gas BBQ and picnic area is available near the boat ramp on the north side of the Lake as well as a toilet block (cold showers only). The camping area spreads out around a section of the lake with each site casually clustered under large canopy of trees and native scrubs attracting plenty of birdlife especially the Carnabys Cockatoo who love to eat the flowering banksias that are prolific in the area. This is also a dog friendly campsite.

History

The erosion from a creek fed upstream from the surrounding plains formed the caves. Further erosion over the years has resulted in roof cave-ins, leaving natural entrances to the caves. These caves are a natural water course and the creek flows in the wetter months. There are warnings not to enter the caves in severe rainstorms as the cave can flood!

TrekID: 94

This is a basic 4WDing trip with no special preparation needed. If you manage to do this trip without seeing another vehicle, consider yourself blessed. If camping at Lake Indoon, basic supplies are available only ~10 kms from the Lake at Eneabba or full supplies from Jurien Bay, some ~50km south west. If travelling in the warmer months, ensure you have supplies of water on board.

The Cockleshell Gully Road entrance is a well-maintained gravel road that is capable of being traversed by any vehicle. The short 4WD driving section to actually reach the caves is basically a sandy track with outcrops of limestone. It can be soft in the drier months but we have never had to reduce tyre pressures to get through. Soft roader vehicles without low range will easily be able to complete this trek.

Stockyard Gully Caves can be approached from two ends. The "southern" approach is from Cockleshell Gully Road. The "northern" end is approached from Eneabba/Coolimba Road, via the Pearsons Track near Lake Indoon - however this is strictly for experienced 4WDrivers as it much rougher and less used than the Cockleshell Gully Rd. If you stay at Lake Indoon you can return to Perth via the coast via Coolimba, Leeman, Jurien etc. A great round weekend trip could also include a visit to the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park.

Permits

No permits are needed for the Stockyard Gully trek. Free camping at Lake Indoon (updated 2019).

Fuel Usage

Fuel is also available at Cataby (which is just off the Brand Highway around 32kms north of the Moore River bridge) and Eneabba (about 12kms east of Lake Indoon).

Diesel	ULP	LPG
4cyl 9 litres	4cyl 11 litres	4cyl 13 litres
6cyl 10 litres	6cyl 12 litres	6cyl 12 litres
8cyl 10 litres	8cyl 11 litres

Best Time To Visit

All year round

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

There are also some limited supplies at Eneabba (about 12kms east of Lake Indoon).

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