Starting from the McNess House Visitor Centre, Yanchep National Park, this walk takes you on a circuit via the Rose Walking Trail. Yanchep National Park is located around 50 kilometres north of Perth and is known for its many caves, natural bushland area and large kangaroo and koala populations. Kangaroo sightings are almost a certainty in the early morning and evening, and they tend to congregate on the open grass near the park's picnic and BBQ facilities. Koalas can be seen in abundance at the Koala Viewing Area, a 240-metre boardwalk through the bushland. As well as the kangaroos and koalas, visitors may be fortunate enough to spot some of the area's native birdlife, such as the short-billed black cockatoo. The Rose Walking Trail meanders through the coastal plain vegetation, passing by historical bunkers and offering panoramic views from the sea to the scarp. In springtime, the colourful display of wildflowers and the limestone outcrops look exceptional. At the beginning of the hike, the trail passes Cabaret Cave, Perth's only 'venue cave' for hire, which was a secret dining and dancing location for the wealthy people of Perth in the 1930's. After crossing Wanneroo Road and walking through bushland for a while, the trail passes a couple of bunkers from World War II, which make for an unexpected sight in this scenery. A bit further ahead, a rocky elevation provides great views of the area. The middle of the trail meets up and briefly follows the Coastal Plains Trail through a nice grove of trees before starting to turn back towards the final section of the loop. The trail is a fairly flat bush track with some sandy and rocky sections, requiring a moderate level of fitness. The trail has markers with the native Yanchep Rose emblem and is easy to navigate. After the walk, you may choose to stay on and enjoy a cup of tea or even a late lunch at the Tea Rooms, enjoy a drink in the beer garden at the Yanchep Inn, or perhaps continue exploring the beautiful National Park. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn on to Yanchep National Park then drive for 900 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 and drive for another 210 m
Turn left and drive for another 80 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the McNess House Visitor Centre, Yanchep National Park, head along the sealed walking path towards the Tea Rooms, passing a 'Yanchep Rose Walk Trail' sign (to your right) in between two other signs ('Cockatoo Walk Trail' and 'Woodlands Walk Trail'). Continue ahead along the path past the Tea Rooms, then turn right just before reaching the carpark and cross the road. Head along the flat dirt trail directly on the other side of the road, following the triangular Yanchep Rose markers to continue the Yanchep Rose Trail Loop....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the McNess House Visitors Centre at the start.
Continue straight.
After another 70 m pass the cafe (15 m on your left).
After another 75 m turn right.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 205 m continue straight.
After another 140 m turn left.
After another 45 m come to the "Henry White Oval" (45 m on your right).
After another 150 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left).
After another 55 m continue straight.
After another 35 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Cabaret Cave, Perth's only 'venue cave' for hire as mentioned in the description. To start this optional side trip veer right here. On returning from this side trip turn right when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 190 m veer left.
After another 200 m (at the intersection of Caves & Ghosthouse Trail) continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
Keep left.
After another 85 m continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 200 m veer right.
After another 125 m continue straight.
After another 50 m continue straight.
After another 65 m turn left.
After another 145 m continue straight.
After another 200 m continue straight.
After another 80 m come to the "Radar Bunkers" (10 m on your right).
After another 15 m turn right.
After another 1.6 km continue straight.
After another 90 m continue straight.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional but recommended side trip takes you to a viewpoint on top of a rocky elevation as described. To start this optional side trip veer left here. On returning from this side trip turn sharp left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 850 m turn right.
After another 600 m continue straight.
After another 90 m veer right.
After another 570 m continue straight.
After another 125 m continue straight.
After another 410 m continue straight.
After another 1.1 km continue straight.
After another 850 m veer left.
After another 90 m continue straight.
After another 1.6 km turn left.
After another 100 m continue straight.
After another 200 m continue straight.
After another 145 m turn right.
After another 65 m continue straight.
After another 50 m continue straight.
After another 125 m veer left, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 200 m continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 85 m (at the intersection of Ghosthouse Trail & Caves) continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to the Cabaret Cave, Perth's only 'venue cave' for hire as mentioned in the description. To start this optional side trip turn left here. On returning from this side trip veer left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 200 m veer right.
After another 190 m continue straight.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 250 m turn right.
After another 140 m continue straight.
After another 205 m continue straight.
After another 35 m turn left.
After another 150 m pass the "McNess House Visitors Centre" (10 m on your left).
After another 1 m come to the end.
This little side trip takes you to the Cabaret Cave, Perth's only 'venue cave' for hire as mentioned in the description.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 90 m come to "Cabaret Cave".
Continue another 0 m to find Cabaret Cave at the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 130 m to the main route.
This optional but recommended side trip takes you to a viewpoint on top of a rocky elevation as described.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After another 215 m come to "Viewpoint".
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
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The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 215 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Yanchep Rose Trail Loop
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
12.3 km
Time
3 h to 5 h
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)