Everything You Need to Know Preparing to Hike the Cape to Cape Track in WA

For a spectacular adventure along Australia’s southwest coast, head to the Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia for the ultimate hiking experience. Situated between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste, this is Australia’s longest coastal walk. The extraordinary landscape offers great variety, spanning squeaky white sand beaches, secluded coves, towering forests and limestone caves.

To help you choose your next walking or hiking experience, here’s everything you need to knowbefore walking and hiking the Cape to Cape Walk Track in Western Australia.

1. Where is the Cape to Cape track?

The Cape to Cape track is located in Western Australia on the coast near Margaret River and the Margaret River wineries. Western Australia’s southwest is known for its stunning coastline and breathtaking forests. As you navigate your way along the track, you will explore the diverse natural scenery and formations along the approximately 135 km route.

2. What you will experience on this track?

The walk makes its way from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse via Gnarabup and Yallingup to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. Both lighthouses make amazing bookends to this stunning walk, and a great way to start and end a hike. Traditionally the Cape to Cape walk is walked from North to South. However, walking it from south to north avoids the prevailing weather conditions and is a better option.

The hike starts at Cape Leeuwin in a town, Augusta, about 350 km south of Perth. Heading north on the Cape to Cape Track, the walk traverses clifftops, deserted beaches, villages, coastal heathlands, peppermint tree woodlands and majestic Karri forests with tall open stands of eucalypt, trees unique to the region. This walk has the added benefit of being located near the Margaret River, an area renowned worldwide for its excellent lodging and dining experiences.

3. How can I walk the Cape to Cape track?

The Cape to Cape can be walked independently, or on a supported self-guided or group-guided trip. Each version or method of walking the Cape to Cape track has its pro’s and cons.

Walking independently incurs minimal cost and more freedom, though your creature comforts will be lacking.   Camping overnight in the park will mean that you will need to be prepared, and carry a lot of water and food.  The Cape to Cape map and guidebook are prerequsites, and be alert to the track route as you walk as it is badly marked.

If you prefer to stay in comfort, and not to carry all your gear with you every day, a self-guided or group-guided walk may suit:  sleep in a comfortable bed, eat well and enjoy a hot shower at the end of the day.   Self-guided is great if you’re a confident walker and like to do your own thing; group-guided better suits those who prefer to be fully taken care or and may be walking on their own.  It does cost more, so depends entirely on your preference.

 

We offer four hiking options:

1. Cape to Cape Highlights self-guided tour for 6 days
2. Cape to Cape guided tour for 8 days
3. Cape to Cape self-guided tour for 9 days
4. Cape to Cape self-guided tour for 10 days

Each option will suit people with different needs. If you want the freedom to take the track at your own pace, we provide self-guided tour options with all the essentials including comprehensive track notes and maps to keep you on course. If you opt for the guided tours, there will be 2 engaging, knowledgeable and professional guides who will both navigate you through Western Australia’s stunning southwest coast and share interesting information about the landscape.

4. How hard is it to walk the Cape to Cape track?

We have rated the walk as ‘moderate to challenging’. The Cape to Cape Walk WA is generally well-graded and relatively easy to negotiate.  We have created a fitness training guide specifically for this walk. Please see the Fitness Guide on each walk page for more information as to how to prepare.

At Augusta and before Ellensbrook, there is a little bit of hilly terrain which is manageable. We recommend our walkers wear comfortable walking and hiking shoes, and breathable clothing that will make your hike even more enjoyable. Walks consist of mostly coastal tracks with some bushland 4WD tracks and some long sections of beach. On average, we walk 18 km per day, with longer days reaching distances of up to 24 km.

5. How long does it take to walk?

The entire track can be walked in a week. However, if you want to soak in the natural environment at various viewing points throughout the track, you might want to walk for a little longer than a week.  Most walks take about 6 to 7 hours to complete. On the first 3 days, there is some sand walking on beaches so you will need to be prepared. Training is imperative especially on your calf muscles so that can withstand soft sand walking, particularly in spring, when the sand is soft.

If you are interested in walking the Cape to Cape the walk can be undertaken as follows (or if you wish in the traditional reverse order).

From Cape Leeuwin to Cosy Corner, a 21.5 km moderate walk over 6 hours.

From Cosy Corner to Boranup Forest, a 20.5 km moderate to challenging walk over 6 hours

From Boranup Forest to Gnarabup township, a 24 km walk over 7 hours

From Gnarabup township to Ellensbrook Homestead, a 15 km moderate walk over 5 hours

From Ellensbrook Homestead to Wilyabrup, a 17.5 km moderate walk over 5 hours

From Wilyabrup to Yallingup, a 25 km moderate to challenging walk over 5 hours

From Yallingup to Cape Naturaliste, a 17 km moderate walk over 5 hours

If you walk with us you can relax as we take care of everything.  We want all our guests to enjoy the experience, see different aspects of nature, hear the pleasant gush of wind, view local fauna and smell the unique wildflowers.

6. What is the weather like and when is it best to go?

It is difficult to predict what the weather will be like months ahead of your adventure. However, close to the commencement date, make sure you check the Bureau of Meteorology’s website for more accurate weather forecasts. We will provide you with information closer to the date of departure.

From March the temperature and humidity will drop as we head into the autumn months and this is a great time of the year to walk. Average temperatures are around 21 degrees Celsius. The middle of winter can be cold and wet and river crossings may be difficult. There is an alternate route, a minor detour in this case. By September, springtime is in the air and we believe this is the other best time to complete the walk. This walking experience is not available over the hot, and sometimes humid, summer months of December to February as we want all our guests to enjoy their walking experience.

7. What do I need to carry while walking the Cape to Cape track?

If you are walking independently you will need to carry everything, including your tent, water and food. There are opportunities to stock up along the way at the northern part of the track in Yallingup and Gnarabup. From Gnarabup there are no settlements until Cape Leeuwin and Augusta.

If you are walking supported we recommend that our walkers carry as few items as possible. In addition to a water bottle, food, maps, information guides, mobile phone and a camera, we do not anticipate you will need anything else. We will provide you with a lunch bag, cutlery and a container to help keep your nourishments fresh and safe. Your luggage will be transported on road by our professional team, so you will not have to worry about carrying it around.

8. What fitness level do I need?

A walk of this length does require you to have an appropriate and adequate fitness level. While we do not discourage anyone to have a go and try the walk, we can help you determine whether the walk is manageable for you if you give us a call. Our guides are professionals and understand not everyone has the same capabilities. If you choose a guided tour, they will help support you throughout the walk. Even if you opt for a self-guided tour, our friendly team will alert you to areas throughout the walk which will require a little extra effort, so you can prepare and manage your walking experience accordingly.

We have created a fitness training guide specifically for this walk. Please see the Fitness Guide section on the website page for the Cape to Cape 9 day self-guided walk as an example of recommended training.

9. What maps and guidebooks are available?

There are many maps available for the Cape to Cape track along with a guidebook you can purchase from the info centre in Margaret River or online.

If you choose a self-guided tour, we will provide you with comprehensive track notes and maps, together with a conveniently sized map case to keep this important information safe from the elements.

With our guided tours, no maps are provided because you will have two professional, knowledgeable and understanding guides who will take care of your navigation needs.

10. How much water should I carry?

We recommend you carry enough water to get you through the day unless you are walking independently, in which case take at least 2 to 3 days water. Each person has different requirements in relation to hydration and we recommend you carry enough water as you need.

We will stop at various locations throughout the walk which do have water and toilet facilities. This will enable you to refill your water bottle. However, the more you carry, the harder the walk.

11. Can I have a rest day or a half-day Cape to Cape walk option if I choose to have a guided experience?

Alas not, due to catering for the group as a whole.  You have the option to customise your own trip if you choose a self-guided walking holiday.

12. Will my mobile phone work on the Track?

Reception along the track is available. There is better reception towards the northern end of the track than the southern end. However, we recommend you should not rely solely on mobile reception for communication purposes.

As you walk your safety is your responsibility and you should consider other safety measures than just using your phone. Especially for self-guided tours, we recommend you notify family and friends of your whereabouts, provide them with a copy of your itinerary, notify us of your emergency contact details, obtain appropriate health and medical insurance, plan for any emergencies and carry appropriate first aid and medical supplies as required.

13. How do I get to the Cape to Cape Track?

There are many ways to get to the track. Driving is the easiest. You can also arrive and depart by using Public Transport. This is a combined train and coach service operated by TransWA every day EXCEPT Saturday. You can plan your journey and purchase tickets through their website here.

You can also now fly into Busselton from both Melbourne and Sydney which vastly reduces the time to get to the Cape to Cape Track and Margaret River.

As part of our group-guided Cape to Cape walk we will pick you up and drop you off from one central hotel known as the Miss Maud Swedish Hotel, 97 Murray Street, Perth. The tour starts at 8:30 am at this hotel. We arrive back in Perth at approximately 6 pm on the last day

For our 9 and 10 day self-guided Cape to Cape walks you will have to organise your travel to the starting point of the walk which is in Augusta, Western Australia. If arriving by car, we recommend leaving your vehicle at the last accommodation at the northern end of the track, which is Bunker Bay / Dunsborough, then catching a bus to Augusta. This will make things easier at the end of your holiday as your car will be ready to take you home. Additional information will be provided to guests in their information pack.

For our 6 day cape to cape highlights walk we start our walk at Gnarabup. For this walk we can arrange for pick ups and drop off from either Margaret River or Bunker Bay but this does come at an additional cost.

For our guided cape to cape walks we arrange for pick up and drop offs from Perth.

This trip can easily be combined with the Bibbulmun Track group-guided trip for an extended Western Australia walking holiday.

For amazing hikes and walks in Australia, like the Cape to Cape Track in Western Australia, browse our entire collection online, and feel free to give our expert guides a call on +61 3 9597 9767 to discuss any queries.

14. What are the other things you can do while in the area?

After walking from lighthouse to lighthouse and seeing the gorgeous coastline there might be a few other things that might interest you before departing the region.

The wineries are the most visited outside of Margaret River township which has a good number of eateries and excellent hotels and restaurants. Many of the Margaret River wineries have lunch offers and standard wine tasting. A pleasant day can be spent travelling from winery to winery, sipping on wine and once you have had enough you can drop into the chocolate factory.

 

Beyond the wineries, there are many distilleries and breweries to visit, as well as art galleries. Mammoth Cave and Lake Cave are also popular places to visit.

Whether you’re a hiker, food and wine enthusiast, outdoor adventurer, or nature lover, Margaret River offers a diverse range of activities and experiences to suit every traveller’s interests.