Northcliffe Stage
29 km
distance
40 min
Contour time
5.8
avg score
Sealed/Unsealed
surface
Scenery
Western Australia
D'Entrecasteaux National Park protects the coastal strip south of Northcliffe, including Southern Ocean cliff tops and...
Road quality
5.8 RQS
Every segment scored on 40+ data signals.
Accessibility
Fully sealed
Best in Sports car. Peak season: Apr-Oct.
7-day forecast
Mixed surface route - sealed for most of the distance, unsealed for the final approach to the coast. Suitable for all vehicles with care on the gravel section. Not a rally stage - a scenic extension from the Pemberton stages to the Southern Ocean.
Scored 5.8/10 by Contour's road quality algorithm across curviness, surface, elevation and traffic. Best suited for sports car drivers.
The road
The Northcliffe stage extends the South West WA collection to the Southern Ocean, running 29 kilometres south from Northcliffe to Windy Harbour on the edge of D'Entrecasteaux National Park. The road transitions from the tall karri forest into mixed forest and then coastal heath as the landscape opens up towards the coast. This is not a Targa South West rally stage - it is a scenic driving route that extends the collection to the dramatic Southern Ocean coastline. The road is sealed for most of its length but the final section to Windy Harbour is unsealed. The sense of arrival at the edge of the continent is significant - the Southern Ocean stretches unbroken to Antarctica from here. Windy Harbour is a small settlement of holiday shacks and a boat ramp. The coast in both directions is wild, remote and largely unvisited. Point D'Entrecasteaux to the west has cliff-top walks with views along the coast that justify the drive alone.
The Northcliffe stage extends the South West WA collection to the Southern Ocean, running 29 kilometres south from Northcliffe to Windy Harbour on the edge of D'Entrecasteaux National Park.
Why this road
The region
D'Entrecasteaux National Park protects the coastal strip south of Northcliffe, including Southern Ocean cliff tops and inland heath that supports rare wildflowers in spring. The park is named after the French explorer Bruni d'Entrecasteaux who surveyed the WA coast in 1792. Windy Harbour is the only settlement on this section of coast.
Before you go
Fuel in Northcliffe (limited services - fill before heading south). The final section to Windy Harbour is unsealed gravel - drive with care. No services at Windy Harbour beyond basic facilities. Walking tracks within the park lead to cliff-top viewpoints at Point D'Entrecasteaux.
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Point D'Entrecasteaux
Cliff-top walking tracks with views along the Southern Ocean coast. Short drive west from Windy Harbour.
Northcliffe Pioneer Museum
Coverage of the group settlement scheme that established farms in the karri forest country in the 1920s.
Route
Start
Northcliffe
End
Windy Harbour
Gallery
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