Cape Range East-West Traverse

Light, purpose-made outdoor gear is mainly recommended. The days can be warm, the nights cold and the waters of Ningaloo refreshing however bear in mind that what you bring you will have to carry. If you bring everything on the list below you will have more than enough to ensure a comfortable trekking experience. As with most hiking gear the more you pay the less it will weigh, there is some great gear available out there though don’t get too carried away, cheap light cotton collared shirt bought for $5 at an op shop is more than sufficient. There are also camping and fishing stores in Exmouth that will be more than happy to help you out with clothing and equipment.

Starting from the top down:

• Hat, wide-brimmed preferable, woolly hat or beanie for nights, Fly head net (optional)

• Sunglasses, polarised are best for cutting through the glare on the water in order to spot marine life

• Lightweight long-sleeved collared walking shirt

• T-shirt short or long-sleeved for camp

• Light jumper or fleece

• Lightweight puffer jacket

• Lightweight walking trousers and/or shorts

• Socks 2 pair

• Underwear 2 pair

• Light footwear for camp, ie Tevas, Crocs, sandshoes etc

• Swim-wear, a rashy is also recommended

• Lightweight towel (included on our Range Ready Package)

• Rain jacket/poncho

• Boots: Yes, you need good worn-in walking boots that provide you with good ankle support and sturdy soles that will stand up to the sharp limestone of Cape Range.

• Gaiters: Yes you need gaiters. A lot of our trekking is off track, the spinifex grass is sharp and there’s sand and gravel a plenty, gaiters are a must in this part of Western Australia. Trek Ningaloo can provide gaiters for you to hire separately or they come as part of our Range Ready hire package. (included on our Range Ready Package)

• Download a full list of what you need to bring here.

• Toiletries: Personal hygiene and foot care are paramount when on a multi-day trek; chaffing, blisters or gastritis can literally stop you in your tracks and sap morale. The list below will provide you with what I believe to be essential items on any trek.
• Baby wipes: when freshwater is a valuable commodity, baby wipes provide the perfect adjunct to personal hygiene, great for cleaning your whole body from top to bottom!
• Talc or anti-fungal powder: used sparingly on every crack and crevice and between the toes this miracle dust helps keep feet dry, and thighs and pits from chaffing.
• Emollient, i.e. paw-paw cream or Vaseline: provides relief for chaffing thighs and other parts, also great for lips if no chapstick.
• Sunscreen and chapstick: Your guide will have a plentiful supply of SPF 50 sunscreen, however having your own small tube at hand and chapstick in your pocket will make sure you can reapply your sun protection on the go and protect yourself from harmful UV rays.
• Hand sanitiser: Essential for hand hygiene in the bush.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste: Guarantees that Hollywood smile for your holiday pics.
• Personal first aid and blister kit: Although a comprehensive first aid and blister kit will be carried by your guide you should have at hand a small first aid and blister kit are available from any pharmacy or camping store or even make your own if you use paracetamol or Ibuprofen for headaches, aches and pains then include some as well.
• MEDICATIONS: It is your responsibility to ensure you have brought along enough of your prescription medication required for the duration of your trek plus one extra day.  

The following is a list of all equipment required to complete your trek. The “equipment” as listed below will be included with the Range Ready equipment hire package; however, if you will be supplying your own equipment, please ensure you have all items listed. 

• Backpack 50-70L + waterproof liner
• Sleeping bag and liner
• Sleeping mat Pillow - inflatable, travel or bunched up puffer jacket etc
• Tent with fly
• A cooking system with fuel
• Bowl, cutlery, mug
• Water bottle/reservoir, water containers 6L in total
• Head torch + spare batteries
• Personal first aid kit
• Blister kit
• Toilet roll
• Rubbish bags-large zip locks
• Hiking seat or mat (optional)
• Trekking poles (optional)

Trekking up to 14 km on day 1 and 15 km on day 2 with a full pack over the very heart of Cape Range means you have to be fit, agile, and can be on the trail for up to 8 hours a day. This is a challenging walk; however, the pace will be comfortable, and there will, of course, be plenty of breaks along the way to enjoy the views, rest, and take it all in.

Yes, It is recommended that you train before commencing any trek. Whichever trek you have chosen, it will be more enjoyable if you’re well prepared. You don't want to find yourself reaching the top of that steep canyon and be bent over gasping for breath when you should be admiring the fantastic view with your fellow trekkers. What’s the best preparation for your trek? Get Trek-fit. Getting trek-fit will increase your enjoyment when you’re on your trek and help prevent injury. Plus, training for your trek is a great way to improve your overall health and well-being. A regular 1 - 2hr stroll is not enough to prepare you for 6-7 hours on the trail. Your training should start several months before your trek. Before starting any training program, you should consult your Doctor.

Yes. The crew can provide you with all quality equipment needed for your trek, our Range Ready equipment hire package includes everything you need to complete your trek in comfort. If you have your own equipment that’s great, however, please take the time to go over our Equipment List to ensure you have everything you need for your Trek.

As you must carry what you eat we try to pack light meals. That is, main meals will consist of lightweight, specially made and packaged dehydrated meals that are both nutritious and quick to prepare after a long day on the trail, and as all you have to do is add water to the pack, there's no washing up!

Breakfast usually consists of overnight oats/muesli, and we always try to have a freshly prepared wrap for lunch made up with fresh veggies, meats, and cheese, on top of that there will be fresh fruit, muesli bars, nuts and raisins to keep you going through the day. The longer treks will also incorporate food & water drops to top up supplies and morale.

Yes, you need good worn-in walking boots that provide you with ankle support and sturdy soles that will stand up to the sharp limestone of Cape Range.

Great! On the rare occasion that it does rain on the Cape you will get to see the country from a totally different perspective than most do. It is expected that all participants will have with them their wet weather gear, otherwise, this may be purchased in Exmouth. Our quality Australian “One Planet” tents can stand up to the harshest of storms to keep you snug as a bug at night, and when the rain has passed, the flysheet can be removed to reveal the sprawling Milky Way overhead. Although we do get rainy days on the Cape it usually comes in showers rather than torrential downpours, these weather events are more typical of the hotter summer months (too hot for trekking) when tropical depressions and cyclones may skirt the region.