Cape to Cape Track

A lighthouse-to-lighthouse coastal trek through the far south-west of Western Australia.

Time to Hike: Most people walk the full 123 km in about 5-7 days, but it is also well set up for day walks thanks to frequent access points.

Best Time to Go: Apr-Oct is the most comfortable window. Summer can be hot and dry, while winter brings cool, wet weather and strong gales off the southern Indian Ocean.

Getting there: The track is about 250 km south of Perth. Start at the lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste and finish at the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin (or walk south to north if it suits your transport).

Costs: Available sources do not specify a general entry fee; camping fees apply at some developed campgrounds, several low-key campsites are no-fee, and commercial accommodation is available in towns - confirm current fees with DoBCA or campground operators.

Difficulty: Moderate. Expect a mix of smooth track, narrow rocky paths, soft sand beaches, and a few rough scrambles, with long dry stretches in summer where water planning matters.

The Cape to Cape Walk Track meanders the length of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, the backbone of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, linking the lighthouses at Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. Over 123 km it alternates between coastal scenery, pristine beaches and sheltered forest, with the caves and vineyards of the Margaret River region close by.

The area’s original Aboriginal inhabitants are the Wardandi people, and the coastline was encountered by Nicolas Baudin in 1801. After settlement at Augusta in 1831, several settlers walked north towards the Swan River, recording their progress along the ridge and beaches. A dedicated walking track was developed with a 1988 Bicentenary Grant and officially opened in April 2001; it is managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DoBCA) with help from the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track.

Underfoot you will find everything from smooth, wide track to rocky footpaths and long beach walks. Wayfinding is generally via pine posts with the triangular track logo, with larger signs helping where you leave beaches. One northern section between Cape Naturaliste and Sugarloaf is specially constructed for disabled users and is suitable for wheelchair use.

• Stage 1: Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf (approx. km 0-20) - A popular northern start with constructed pathing in places; this is the track’s wheelchair-suitable section, with coastal views and easy access.
• Stage 2: Sugarloaf to Yallingup (approx. km 20-35) - Mixes headlands and beaches with short inland links; good for breaking in feet before longer sandy stretches.
• Stage 3: Yallingup to Gracetown (approx. km 35-60) - A classic Cape-to-Cape blend of narrow coastal paths and long beaches, with multiple entry points for shorter walks.
• Stage 4: Gracetown to Prevelly (approx. km 60-80) - More beach walking and rocky sections; creek crossings can change with season, and summer water availability becomes a key consideration.
• Stage 5: Prevelly to Hamelin Bay (approx. km 80-105) - Alternates between coastal scenery and sheltered forest, with opportunities to detour into nearby services and accommodation.
• Stage 6: Hamelin Bay to Cape Leeuwin (approx. km 105-123) - The southern run to the lighthouse, passing historic features including the Cape Leeuwin water wheel area before the finish.

The climate is Mediterranean: warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, with no recorded snow and minimum temperatures above 0 C. Apr-Oct is the most comfortable general hiking season.

Summer heat can occasionally approach 40 C and many streams dry up, so you need to carry more water and plan carefully. In winter, this corner of Australia is exposed to the Roaring Forties and gales off the southern Indian Ocean, and seasonal flows can make creek mouths and sandbars change from day to day.

The track lies in the far south-west corner of Western Australia, about 250 km south of Perth. The endpoints are the lighthouses at Cape Naturaliste (near Dunsborough) and Cape Leeuwin (near Augusta), so most walkers arrange a private shuttle, taxi, or a lift with a second vehicle.

You can walk in either direction, but the classic description runs north to south from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin. There are also access points along the route that make it easy to plan day walks or shorter overnighters.

Check with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DoBCA) or local park authorities for any permit, fee or access requirements. Because the route runs through Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, follow park rules and use only dedicated camping areas.

Camping outside designated zones is illegal on this track, so if you plan to camp you will need to align your itinerary with the established campsites, national park campgrounds, caravan parks, or towns.

You can stay in the settlements the track passes through: Yallingup, Gracetown, Prevelly and Hamelin Bay, using whatever accommodation is available there, and many walkers mix these stops with camping.

For camping, there are several campsites and caravan parks along the track. Four low-key no-fee campsites provide a bush toilet, a rainwater tank filled from the toilet roof, a picnic table and seats - but no shelter, so you must carry a tent. Two more-developed national park campgrounds have toilets and fireplaces and charge camping fees; other commercial campgrounds with accommodation also operate along the route.