Best Time to Walk the Cape to Cape Track

The best time to walk the Cape to Cape Track is in spring, from September to November, and in autumn, from March to May. Spring brings wildflowers and migrating whales. Autumn brings calm, sunny days and warm water. Auswalk offers the walk from 1 March to 15 December and does not run it over the peak of summer, from mid-December to the end of February, when the heat makes the exposed coast too hot to walk comfortably.

Spring: September to November

Spring is the standout season. From September the wildflowers begin, with the peak of the bloom around early October, when the heathlands along the track come alive with colour. The temperatures are mild, the days are lengthening, and by late October and into November you have a good chance of spotting humpback and southern right whales offshore as they migrate along the coast.

Spring is popular for exactly these reasons, so it pays to plan ahead if you want to walk in the wildflower and whale window.

Autumn: March to May

Autumn is the other prime season, and the pick if you want calm conditions. The days are warm and sunny, the winds are generally lighter than in spring, and the ocean is still warm enough for a swim at the end of a walking day. There are no wildflowers at this time, but the settled weather and quieter trail more than make up for it.

Winter: June to August

Winter walking is possible, and you will often have the track largely to yourself, but come prepared. These are the wettest and coolest months, the winds pick up, and river crossings become less predictable after rain. If solitude matters more to you than sunshine, winter has its own quiet appeal, but it is the most challenging time to walk.

Summer: why the walk closes from mid-December to February

Auswalk does not run the Cape to Cape over the peak of summer. The season ends on 15 December and reopens on 1 March. The reason is the heat. Much of the track hugs an exposed coastline with little shade, and summer temperatures regularly exceed 35 degrees, which makes long days on open clifftops and beaches genuinely hard going and, in extreme heat, unsafe. Summer is also the region's peak bushfire period and its busiest holiday season. Even where walking is physically possible, it is neither the most comfortable nor the most sensible time to be on the trail, which is why we wait for the settled conditions of autumn and the wildflowers of spring.

Quick month-by-month guide

• March to May: warm, calm, sunny. Excellent walking, warm water, no wildflowers.
• June to August: wet, cool, windy. Quiet trail, more challenging conditions.
• September: wildflowers begin, mild temperatures, whales start to appear.
• October: peak wildflowers, reliable weather. Arguably the best single month.
• November: wildflowers ease, strong chance of whales, warming up.
• Early December: still available up to 15 December, warming but walkable.
• Mid-December to February: outside the walking season. Too hot and exposed for safe, comfortable walking, and the region's peak fire-risk and holiday period.

What you will see on the track

The Cape to Cape runs for around 124 to 135 km between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin lighthouses, through the Margaret River region. Along the way you walk white sand beaches, limestone cliffs and caves, coastal heath and towering karri forest, with the Indian Ocean rarely out of sight. In season, the wildflowers and whales are the highlights, and the region's food and wine are never far away.

How long do you need?

Most walkers take between six and ten days to complete the full track. Auswalk offers the Cape to Cape pack free, so your luggage is moved ahead each day and you walk with only a daypack. Options range from a shorter highlights walk to the full end-to-end route between the two lighthouses, so you can match the trip to your time and fitness.

Explore the Cape to Cape in Style walk or the end-to-end route.

Frequently asked questions

Which months does Auswalk run the Cape to Cape walk?

Auswalk offers the walk from 1 March to 15 December. It does not run over the peak of summer, from mid-December to the end of February, so spring and autumn are the seasons to aim for.

Why doesn't Auswalk run the Cape to Cape in summer?

The exposed coast has little shade and summer temperatures regularly exceed 35 degrees, which makes multi-day walking hard going and, in extreme heat, unsafe. It is also the region's peak bushfire and holiday period. For those reasons the walk closes on 15 December and reopens on 1 March.

When do the wildflowers bloom on the Cape to Cape?

The wildflowers run from late August through to early November, with the peak of the display around early October.

When can you see whales on the Cape to Cape Track?

Your best chance is in spring, particularly late October and November, when humpback and southern right whales pass along the coast.

Can you walk the Cape to Cape in winter?

You can, and it is quiet, but expect the wettest and coolest conditions of the year, stronger winds and less predictable river crossings.

How many days does the Cape to Cape Track take?

Most people take six to ten days for the full track, depending on their pace and how many of the highlights they want to include.