Sugarloaf Rock below Cape Naturaliste
Sugarloaf Rock below Cape Naturaliste
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Cape to Cape Track Self-Guided Walk

8 days / 7 nights

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Seven days along the coast of Western Australia's far southwest, lighthouse to lighthouse: surf beaches, sea cliffs and karri forest, with a driver to every trailhead.

Starting Point

Yallingup

Finish Point

Margaret River

Fitness Level

4/5

Technical Level

3/5

Season

From March to December

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Tour Type

Center-Based

Daily Distance

8 – 16 mi

Daily Elevation

656 – 1640 ft

Highlights

  • Walk lighthouse to lighthouse, Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, in seven days
  • Sleep four nights at Caves House, the old hotel above Yallingup Beach
  • Look out for humpback whales from the cliffs between May and December
  • Walk the Wilyabrup sea cliffs and cross the brook on the beach below
  • Stop at Ellensbrook Homestead and the waterfall at Meekadarabee
  • Walk through the karri trees of Boranup Forest, then along seven kilometres of beach
PricePrice on request
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What’s included in the price?

Accommodation levelComfort

Two bases with private en-suite rooms: four nights at Caves House, a hotel above Yallingup Beach first built in 1903 and rebuilt in the late 1930s, and three nights in a motel in Margaret River, the region's main town, with breakfast included. Both have a restaurant on site or within a short walk.

These are examples of the type and standard you can expect. Actual properties may vary depending on availability.

What to bring to the tour

  • Hiking shoes/boots
  • 25 to 45-liter backpack
  • Base layer
  • Sports T-shirts
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking water-repellent pants
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Midlayer
  • Sports socks and underwear
  • Leisurewear for evenings
  • Down jacket
  • Gloves
  • Shade hat/cap
  • Warm headwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking poles
  • ID card or passport
  • Snacks
  • Cash
  • Water bottles or hydration pack
  • Sleeping liner
  • Toiletries
  • Toilet paper
  • Small first aid kit

The Cape to Cape Track runs along the coast of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park in Western Australia's far southwest, from the lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste to the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin. In seven days of walking it crosses surf beaches, limestone cliff tops, river mouths and a karri forest.

Several day ends are car parks in the national park with no bed nearby, which is why every company we looked at uses a driver. So do we. You sleep in two places, four nights at Caves House in Yallingup and three in Margaret River, and a local driver takes you to the start of each day's walk and collects you at the end. Your bag stays in your room, and you carry only a day pack.

The walking is varied rather than steep. The northern half is easier, with cliff paths, coves and short climbs. The southern half is wilder and sandier: Boranup Beach is seven kilometres of sand, Deepdene Beach is soft underfoot, and day 6, at about 25 km, is a long one. Plan on seven days in a row of five to eight hours on your feet.

Spring and autumn are the seasons for it: March brings under 30 mm of rain at Cape Leeuwin, and humpback whales pass offshore from May to December. In winter and spring the Margaret River mouth can be closed, and the walk then takes a marked detour by the bridge.

Distances and climbs on this page are approximate, measured on the official track line. We book your rooms and your driver, and your guidebook and app give you the route, the river crossings and the places to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

You walk 13 to 25 km a day, seven days in a row, often on soft sand and stone steps. If you can walk 15 km on two days back to back at home, you will manage. Day 6 is the long one. Fitness 4 of 5, technical 3 of 5.

Only a day pack with water, lunch and a rain jacket. Your bag stays in your room in Yallingup and in Margaret River. On day 5 it rides with you in the car and is left at the Margaret River motel.

Yes. A TransWA coach runs from Perth to Yallingup, a driver takes you to and from the track every walking day, and coaches run from Margaret River to Perth city and Perth Airport. You never need to drive.

March to May and September to November. Winter, June to August, is wet but walkable. Avoid mid-December to February: it is hot, and the park closes trails on days of extreme fire danger.

In winter and spring the river can be too deep to cross at the mouth. The park then marks a 7.2 km detour inland to the bridge, about 700 m longer than the normal route. Your guidebook and app show both.

Only on the northern third. We recommend carrying a personal locator beacon, as the park does, and we can tell you where to hire one.

Breakfast is included in Margaret River; Caves House has a restaurant and sells breakfast. For lunch, take food from the shops in Yallingup and Margaret River; there are also small shops at Gracetown, Prevelly and Hamelin Bay. Dinner is at your hotel or in town.

No. Walking the Cape to Cape Track and entering the national park are free. Only the lighthouse grounds at both capes charge for entry.

HASSLE-FREE

We handle itineraries, accommodations, and anything else you prefer not to deal with, so you can enjoy a carefree hike.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

TRIED & TESTED ADVENTURES

We chose these walks for the scenery, then made sure each has a roof every night and needs no hire car.

HELP ON THE WALK

Plans changed, or something not as booked? Ring the support number in your guidebook. For police, fire or ambulance, call 000, even without credit.

Price on request