The 3 Bears Track is one of many places around Dunsborough, Yallingup and Margaret River that you can go four wheel driving. It is a magnificent track, which is used by many people to access the incredible surf break, known as 3 Bears.
If you are looking for more places to take your 4WD and see incredible coastline, check out Margaret River 4WD Tracks. Asides from the 3 bears 4WD track there isn’t any other coastal Dunsborough 4WD tracks, which makes this one rather special.
If you want more tracks, you can check our post out here – WA 4WD tracks.
Soaking up the views
Heading towards Dunsborough in the Dmax
Where is the 3 bears track?
The Three Bears Track runs from Cape Naturalist down to Yallingup (or just off Caves road).
It can be done in reverse, depending on your preference, but finding the start from the southern end is not as easy.
A surfers paradise
How long does it take?
We most recently did the 3 bears track in January 2020, and with limited stops had it done and dusted from south to north in under two hours, and that was with a lot of detours due to parts of the southern section blocked and gated off.
It’s a fantastic track to do either before the sun is too reflective off the water, or late afternoon to enjoy the sunset.
There’s some great lookouts
How do you get to the track?
Most people start the track from the North and head south, but this is entirely up to you. If you are starting from the North, head out Cape Naturalist road, and turn left onto Sugarloaf Road. The track starts on your left about 500 metres down the road.
There is a power pole, and a sign that says Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park. Follow the track south, and you’ll eventually pop out near Yallingup. Expect to see a lot of gates though, as they keep blocking off parts that used to be open.
If you are coming from the south, we entered from Hemsley Road, and headed north. Each time we tried to get to the coast earlier on we hit gates, so you have to travel around half of the track inland now.
The views are spectacular
You can’t beat the coastline
How difficult the Three bears track?
The track itself is not too difficult at all. A large majority of it is compact sand, but there are a number of spots where it is rocky and the sand can be soft in places. With reasonable wheel placement, even soft roaders (with minimal clearance) shouldn’t have any issues.
I’ve seen Foresters easily do the track, but just watch your tyre pressures and avoid any big rocks! The sand can be soft in sections, and it is worth lowering your tyres down a bit for the rocky sections. Take it slow, and enjoy the scenery!
For most vehicles, 20 PSI should be enough. Of course, you can go lower depending on how soft the sand is. I know a lot of people don’t let their tyres down, which is fine if the sand is hard. However, if it means you chew the track up then you are damaging it and making it harder for people in the future.
Let your tyres down accordingly
In Winter, the track can develop some reasonable sized puddles. They don’t usually get much taller than around 300mm, but it pays to go through them slowly!
A bit of water after lots of rain
Take your camera!
Is it worth doing?
We highly recommend this track. I’ve done it a few times, and still love doing it. If you go when the weather is terrible, you can see how powerful the ocean can be. The waves come smashing in to the rocks and being on the west coast, there is zero protection.
On a day where the weather is good (and the waves are usually still decent sized!) you will love the colour of the water, the gorgeous beaches and plenty of incredible views. Half way through the track there are toilets, and some stairs that lead down onto the beach where the surfers hit the water.
Next time you are down at Dunsborough, Yallingup or Margaret River, be sure to check the 3 Bears 4WD Track out. This part of our coast is truly magnificent.
There’s lots of other great 4WD tracks further south around Margaret River
If you want somewhere not too far away to camp at, I’d highly recommend Jarrahdene; brilliant bush camping in the south west.
Great track, would highly recommend for beginners/those after an easy, fun drive.
Went down it today with a Forester and an L series, never had a drama.
Thanks for the writeup!
Hi Thomas,
Great to hear you had a good time; it’s an awesome area down there.
Aaron
Just watch your line on the rock desent before the cliff section Igot a 120 prado 2″lift and some how managed to bang up my exhaust no holes just a lil on the flat side now but very nice and chilled out track and if your in the area there is a little “doodly” of a track on carters rd about 1.7km coming from caves rd on the right not much to see but Geez I had fun on a steep hill climb little hint on 2nd low locked and plant you’re foot down
There are some bigger steps to avoid, that’s for sure. The track you mention sounds fun! How good are the views on 3 bears though?!
Went down with a patrol, xtrail and forester with no issues. The xtrail let its tyres down a small bit at the start. However just after 3 bears surf spot we got turned inland for the second half the track. Is there a way to stay on the coast all the way to yallingup?
Hey Leo, we had the same problem last time we did the track. I think you have to stick to the tracks closest to the coast; I’ve done it both ways in the past, but the last time we took the left track (as you would normally) but it took off inland and we popped out near the cave. Next time, take the right hand track and it will take you along the coast further. You won’t get all the way to Yallingup, but you come out pretty close. How good are the views?!
I forgot to mention that going south just after 3 bears surf spot there was a fork; we took the right hand fork but turned around at an ‘authorised vehicles only’ barricade. If that hadn’t been there I think we would have ended up on the same track that the cape to cape walkers use. The views are great!
Maybe the tracks been modified? Next time I am down that way I will do the track and have a better look around. I’ve heard the cape to cape walk is amazing too.
Looks amazing, Is there anywhere to camp along this track?
Hey Nick,
I don’t believe you are meant to camp along there. The Cape to Cape track (hiking only) has a few camp sites though
Aaron
5 Jan 2018. Stock 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Just went through there today. The last time I was there was about ten years ago. I entered through the Sugar Loaf end. The entry ranged from quite hard to soft with a few rocks thrown in. Later it became quite rocky but nothing difficult. About two thirds the way to the Bears car park there is a keep left sign that wasn’t there last time. It lead to quite a steep decline that was chopped out in places. As long as you know some basics you shouldn’t have any problems going down, though as with any track this can change daily. the rest of the run through to the car park was quite easy with a range of soft and hard surfaces. Most of the exit through to Hemsley road was only slightly more difficult but there were a couple of spots that required more tact to get through the rocky outcrops. If you are careful and pick your lines without rushing you shouldn’t have any problems. About 3/4 the way out we came across a Mitsubishi Challenger hung up on a rocky outcrop. After helping them get unstuck we walked the rout as well as the side goat trail and both came to the conclusion that a stock 4×4 might make it but not worth the risk so we back tracked about 200 meters and bypassed the obstacle through another side track running parallel to just past it, I think we weren’t the first to make that decision. Even though this track had a few challenges it is a great track for the novices as there are regular vehicles through the area if you do happen to get stuck. Just try and be aware of how much ground clearance your vehicle has
Hey Barry,
Cheers for the update. I haven’t done the track in a while either! It’s a fantastic track, isn’t it?!
Aaron
Does anyone know where I can access the track from the south side ? Cheers
Hey Callum,
Have a look on Google Earth mate – it comes out near the Caves entrance.
Aaron
Hi, i’m thinking about doing the 3 bears in the next week or 2. I’m in a stock Ford Everest with a 225mm clearance, from what i’m reading it should do it easy. I think!!
Looking on google maps i take the left off sugarloaf, right at the power pole (as described) then a sharp right about 600mtrs down the road. Does this sound right to you all??
Glenn
Hey mate,
Yep, you’ll be fine. Let your tyres down if its sandy or the rocks are sharp. Your directions sound correct; have a ball. It’s an amazing track
Aaron
Hey guys, just wondering what the tracks are like ?? Nice and wide or will I be bush bashing with my 4×4 ?? Thanks in advance
Hey Jen,
It’s been a while since I was down there last, but they are pretty wide. You’ll be fine
Aaron
Did the three bears track today following the directions from this page. North to south was easy, but a couple cars made hard work of an uphill sandy section. We stopped to let them have a free run up towards us – could see them from a good distance, and plenty of wider spots to stop and let people past. South of the carpark a couple of kms was a very rocky section – not at all difficult but looks menacing. We easily crawled up in 1st low, mostly to ensure no tyre damage. Fj62 cruiser 2″ lift, otherwise stock, very conservative pattern 31″ tyres.
Views are fantastic. Thanks for the info.
Hey mate,
Great to hear; its a fantastic track.
Take care
Aaron
on average how long would you reacon the track would take to do?
Hi Miki,
Under 2 hours without major stops
All the best
Aaron
Hi there
You reckon it’s ok to do 3 bears track if it’s bit wet out there?
Thanks
Hey mate,
It all depends on your vehicle, skills and track condition. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s reasonably difficult. I wouldn’t go without a second vehicle.
All the best
Aaron
We drove this track last week (July 2020) in a stock Grand Cherokee. I was a bit nervous of some of the rocky secionshaving a low clearance but ultimately had no issues. One section in the middle was chewed up and I didn’t reckon I had enough clearance but luckily there was a go-around.
Thanks for sharing the track with us!
Hey Darran,
Great to hear. It’s a fantastic track, and lots of fun to be had
All the best
Aaron
Just did it in a disco sport with 20” rims. Scratches are just reminders of good times.
Hey Jon,
Good man. It’s a brilliant track!
All the best
Aaron
Did a part of the track yesterday in my 2005 Mitsubishi Triton, with my 2 toddlers who loved the bumpy ride. Started from Sugarloaf Rd and went as far as the loop.
But look forward to doing it all the way North to South one weekend.
Hey Dave,
Good to hear mate. I bet they had a ball
Aaron
Gonna go this weekend. Haveba stock 2020 jimny. Will she be okay.
Hey Jack,
Yep, piece of cake mate. You have one of the best 4WD’s out there!
Aaron
Has anyone used this track recently? Thinking of doing this week in a stock Prado, I’m relatively inexperienced but have max tracks and compressor
Hey Ben,
I don’t have any recent feedback, but perhaps someone else will comment. I haven’t seen it ever in really bad condition – let your tyres down as needed and you’ll be fine
All the best
Aaron
Hi Aaron
We did the track today, from north to south. We had great fun with the kids in the back loving the bumps. A few sections had steep drop offs and there were some rocky hills which we navigated cautiously, but all very manageable in the Prado, lots of surfers enjoying 3 bears which was pumping. Great track.
Hey Ben,
Well done mate, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. The coastline in that part of the world is spectacular.
All the best
Aaron