Cape to Cape Track Self Guided

Enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace as you begin your self-guided Cape to Cape Track adventure from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. If you have time, visit the lighthouse for sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and a perfect photo opportunity.

The first 3km is an easy stroll on wheel-chair friendly tarmac – keep a lookout for wildflowers and enjoy the vast coastal views. Notice Sugarloaf Rock, an impressive distinctively-shaped granite rock just off the coast. Follow the Leeuwin-Naturaliste limestone ridge along coastal heath-lined paths before passing Mount Duckworth Campsite (the first of four basic campsites along the route) to follow the beach into Yallingup

Meals: Lunch

Before setting off this morning there is usually a coffee caravan at Yallingup Beach car park if you fancy watching surfers and (hopefully) playful dolphins take on the world-famous surf break. Savour the changing geology as you approach the enormous granite rocks towards Canal Rocks. These rocks formed between 1,000 and 530 million years ago – constant battering from waves has weakened the rock over time to form the distinctive channels.
Enjoy pleasant hiking for the remainder of the day as you follow the ridge past Injidup natural spa and beach. Weave your way through coastal tea-trees before a steady walk on 4WD tracks which descend onto the beach just before Quinninup Falls. The falls are hidden approximately 300m off the track but well worth a visit and swim if you’re inclined. A short sharp sand hill climb opens to flat heathland before finishing at Moses Rock.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Look out for kangaroos on the ridge to your left-hand side as you begin today’s walk. Follow the track over limestone headlands to reach Wilyabrup Beach and a sometimes tricky creek crossing – exercise caution and cross slightly upstream away from ocean waves.

At the top of the cliff-top staircase catch your breath and take in the views as you look for abseilers. The climb is well rewarded with a beautiful seascape vista as the track meanders high above the Indian Ocean before dropping down to the beach below. From here the walk makes its way through lovely coastal vegetation with seasonal wildflowers and fascinating granite outcrops. Enter a pretty tea-tree thicket before a rocky scramble down and around the point to tiny Gracetown nestled around beautiful Cowaramup Bay where you can relax and enjoy a swim.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Enjoy every step you take as the path hugs the coastline before meandering inland to historic Ellensbrook Homestead, the home of early settlers Ellen and Alfred Bussell. From here the trail moves past Meekadarabee Falls, a significant Aboriginal site which according to DPaW means ‘bathing place of the moon’.

There are a couple of steep hills to climb before you can enjoy good views from the top of the ridge. Thick vegetation lines the trail on either side enveloping you as you walk. It is wonderfully picturesque especially when pink Pimelea and other flowering plants are blooming. Soon you drop onto Kilcarnup Beach which is home to numerous plovers, oyster-catchers and other shorebirds. The sand is usually firm and offers an opportunity to shed your hiking boots if bare-foot beach walking is your preference.

From here it is a short walk across Cape Mentelle to Margaret River mouth where you will need to assess the best place to cross the river before finishing with a short uphill walk to Wallcliffe Rd.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

The longest section of the Cape to Cape Track begins among bushland on unused 4WD tracks to descend 300+ steps to sheltered Boodjidup Valley. Consider taking morning tea among the Arum lilies – an invasive but nonetheless pretty weed from South Africa. The sheltered path exits onto the coast which you follow until Redgate Beach famous for a daring rescue of shipwreck survivors by local Aboriginal man Sam Isaacs and Grace Bussell, 16 year-old daughter of Ellen and Alfred Bussell mentioned previously.

There are more stunning views as you climb to the top of the ridge and follow the pathway to Bob’s Hollow. The section from Bob’s Hollow to Contos Campground is arguably the most spectacular of the entire walk – make sure you savour the incredible turquoise seascape. The day finishes among the magnificent Boranup Karri forest where you can look for seasonal orchids and forest-loving fungi.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Embrace the change in vegetation while marvelling at the magnificence of the world’s third tallest tree. Feel your connection with nature, listen for birdsong but also to the silence of the karri forest – the Japanese call it ‘forest bathing’ and it’s more important than ever we allow ourselves time and space to immerse ourselves in it.

Before too long you will be on beautiful Boranup Beach where the 7km walk will either delight or dismay you. Whatever your state of mind, we suggest you use this time to let your thoughts drift and enjoy the mediative rhythm of your steps. Treat yourself to a quick swim in the crystal clear waters of Hamelin Bay, where you may be lucky enough to see their famous resident stingrays, before a final push past the quirky Foul Bay lighthouse to Cosy Corner.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

The reward for your efforts on the Cape to Cape Track slowly begins to reveal itself on your last day. The trail starts with a fascinating walk on an ocean-hugging limestone platform. The rocky shelf consists of a series of small blowholes which surprise and delight especially if the ocean swell is conducive to making them ‘blow’! The excitement of seeing your first glimpse of the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse as a tiny speck drives you onwards along one of the longest beach sections of the walk. Immerse yourself in the beauty of one of long-distance hiking’s most beautiful final sections. Amble the last few kilometres of the glorious Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge embraced by low growing coastal heath. Reach the historic water wheel, and unofficial finish of the Cape to Cape Track with a woop woop or high-five! Then celebrate your official finish at the lighthouse where the magnificent Indian and Southern oceans meet.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Check out anytime before 10am – there is plenty to experience before you leave the Margaret River region including wineries, breweries, cafes, chocolatiers and farmer’s markets.

Meals: Breakfast

• 7 days self-guided walking supported by RAW Travel’s navigation app including route map, emergency contacts, weather and other helpful information. Our free app easily helps you find your way by showing where you are in real time.
• 7 nights’ comfortable accommodation in a quiet location in the heart of Margaret River
• 7 delicious in-room gourmet hamper breakfasts with local and seasonal produce including bread, yoghurt, coffee, butter and jams
• Freshly prepared packed lunches of rolls, wraps, salads and pastries on your walking days
• Private daily vehicle transfers to / from the trailhead
• Cape to Cape Track guidebook
• Pre-trip planning, guidance and support from our experienced team
• Emergency Personal Locator Beacon (for the duration of the trip)
• ​​Carbon offset for your trip and a native tree planted on your behalf

• Single supplement – ask for a quote if you would like a single room
• Lighthouse entrance fees (Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse $5pp + Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse $6pp)
  
• Travel insurance
  
• Items of a personal nature
• Dinners
• Alcoholic beverages
• 2-way daily track transfers (one-way transfers are included)

• Ask us about adding on an extra night or two of accommodation before or after your hike, or even a rest day in the middle, to allow more time to explore Margaret River and surrounds.
• Upgraded accommodation is possible, subject to availability, with a surcharge payable.

SIDE TRIP
You can extend your time on the trail walking the 14km Meelup Trail from Old Dunsborough to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to meet the Cape to Cape Track. Talk to our destination experts if you would like to include this. Additional cost applies.