Starting from the Lakeview Carpark off Indian Ocean Drive, Yanchep, this walk takes you on a circuit within Yanchep National Park via the Ghost House Walk Trail. This relatively easy loop trail begins by following the Wetlands Walk Trail around the scenic Loch McNess. After approximately 1km the hike branches off onto the Ghost House Walk Trail, immersing you in tuart forest, banksia woodlands and coastal heath, with gorgeous wildflowers in every direction. About halfway through the loop you'll come across the historic remains of the Ghost House, which gives the trail its name. Nature has embraced the crumbling stone frame with green foliage, offering great photographic opportunities. The trail ends at Cabaret Cave, a limestone cave that has been converted to a function venue. From there it's a short walk to Yanchep Inn, where you can stop for a refreshing ale, coffee or lunch. The park is very family orientated and there are ovals, various tearooms and a koala boardwalk to explore. Although koalas aren't native to Western Australia, you'll have the rare opportunity to spot them in their natural habitat from the boardwalk that traverses the koala feed plantation, located between Yanchep Inn and the McNess House Visitors Centre. The trail is easy to follow, with yellow triangle markers posted along the way. The path is well defined and mostly flat, with a few rocky slopes. The colourful wildflower displays, the historic ruins and relics, the caves and many other interesting features of the Ghost House Walk Trail make this hike a memorable and rewarding experience. 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 1 and drive for another 45 m
Turn right and drive for another 130 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the Lakeview Carpark off Indian Ocean Drive, Yanchep, head down the paved walkway for about 100m, passing an orange 'Tour Bookings', etc. sign (on the right). From the double-storied McNess House Visitors Centre, head towards the lake for about 100m along the sealed path directly in front of the house. Turn left onto the paved walkway just before a couple of park benches, and continue ahead for about 150m. Head along the Wetlands Walk Trail to continue the Ghost House Walk Trail.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
After 35 m pass the toilet (10 m on your left).
After another 80 m pass the "McNess House Visitors Centre" (6 m on your right).
Turn left.
After another 65 m turn left.
After another 240 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your right).
After another 1 km continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
Keep left.
After another 1.8 km continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 2 km continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 165 m veer right, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 25 m turn left, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 320 m pass the toilet (20 m on your right).
After another 80 m pass the "Shapcott's Hut" (10 m on your right).
After another 105 m turn left, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 265 m (at the intersection of Ghosthouse Trail & Coastal Plain Walk Trail) veer right, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 1.4 km veer right, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 1.8 km continue straight, to head along Ghosthouse Trail.
After another 840 m continue straight, 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.
After another 100 m pass the "Cabaret Cave" (120 m on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little sid trip takes you the Cabaret Cave, the limestone cave that has been converted to a function venue. 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 100 m veer right.
After another 190 m continue straight.
After another 35 m turn right.
After another 90 m come to the "Henry White Oval" (90 m on your left).
Continue straight.
After another 40 m pass the toilet (70 m on your left).
After another 55 m veer right.
After another 35 m turn left.
After another 35 m continue straight.
After another 340 m turn right.
After another 55 m turn left.
After another 65 m pass the toilet (65 m on your right).
Veer right.
After another 65 m turn left.
After another 80 m turn right.
After another 10 m turn sharp left.
After another 120 m turn right.
After another 30 m continue straight.
After another 150 m pass the "McNess House Visitors Centre" (10 m on your left).
After another 15 m veer left.
After another 115 m come to the end.
This little sid trip takes you the Cabaret Cave, the limestone cave that has been converted to a function venue.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Continue another 130 m to find Cabaret Cave at the end.
"Cabaret Cave".
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 130 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Ghost House Walk Trail
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
12.2 km
Time
3 h 15 min to 5 h 30 min
Quality of track
Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient
Gentle hills with occasional steps (2/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required
Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Some facilities on route
Camp site: There is one 11 km from the start.
Shelter: There is one 5.8 km from the start.
Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 2.4 km apart with the largest gap of 5.7 km.
Bushwalk
3 h 15 min to 5 h 30 min
1 h 15 min to 2 h 30 min
Camp site: There is one 11 km from the start.
Shelter: There is one 5.8 km from the start.
Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 2.4 km apart with the largest gap of 5.7 km.
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After another 80 m pass the "McNess House Visitors Centre" (6 m on your right).
After another 240 m come to the viewpoint (15 m on your right).
After another 100 m pass the "Cabaret Cave" (120 m on your left).
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 130 m to the main route.