Cape to Cape Track
Encyclopedia
The Cape to Cape Walk Track is a long-distance walk
trail located in the far south-west corner of Western Australia
, 250 km south of Perth
. It meanders along the whole length of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, which forms the backbone of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
. Its start and finish are the lighthouses at the tips of Cape Naturaliste
and Cape Leeuwin
. The Track extends over 135 km of coastal scenery, sheltered forests and pristine beaches, and is in close proximity to the cave
s, vineyard
s and other features and attractions of the "South West Capes - Margaret River
Region".
inhabitants of the area, the Wardandi people would have known the ridge and its resources intimately, and would regularly have travelled its length. Soon after the first European settlers arrived at Augusta
in March 1831, John Dewar and Andrew Smith travelled to the Swan River on foot, recording the section to Cape Naturaliste
in their journal. They seemed to have had little difficulty traversing the country, reporting that much had been burnt, and they travelled alternately on the beaches or three to four miles inland along a ridge of low hills. It took them six days to reach Cape Naturaliste
, much the same time that it takes now, though probably in slightly less relaxed fashion, as they started before sunrise, and sometimes marched by moonlight.
Since those days, the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge has become increasingly populated, with roads and tracks criss-crossing the land. Most of these, however, run east-west, whereas the coastline runs north-south, and much of the remaining bushland between has grown thick and impenetrable. The coastline and a significant proportion of the ridge are now reserved as the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
. In the 1980s Jane Scott, a local resident, found ways of walking from the one Cape to the other (pers. comm. 1987).
In 1988, a Federal Government
Bicentenary Grant provided funding to the Department of Environment and Conservation
(DEC) for a project to develop the dedicated walk-track.
The Track was officially opened in April 2001 and is managed by the DEC.
Some sections currently make use of old vehicle tracks, and other sections involved cutting new paths. The Track includes several quite long stretches of accessible beach, allowing opportunities for cooling the feet, as well as helping to minimise construction and maintenance costs. To help control erosion, and to make life easier for walkers, there are built steps on some steep sections.
Many streams form sandbars in summer but flow through to the sea in winter. The only stream with a formal bridge crossing is Boodjidup Brook.
Access points along its length allow walkers to sample the Track as a series of short walks over time. Many people actually complete the walk over several months or years as a series of one-day or half-day walks. The goal for some walkers will be to complete the whole Track at once, but for many, enjoying a short walk now and again is feasible.
is the first part of the Australian mainland to feel the force of the Roaring Forties
or winter gales that whip across the southern Indian Ocean
. The minimum temperature is always above 0°C.
for walkers wishing to camp out along the Track. These, together with existing campgrounds and caravan parks, provide places to camp roughly a day's walk apart along the length of the Track. Each of the Track campsites has a bush toilet, a rainwater-tank filled from the toilet roof, a picnic-table, and seats. There are no shelters and walkers need to carry their own tents. There are no fees for using the campsites. Two other National Park campgrounds have toilets and fireplaces where camping fees are payable.
The Track passes through four settlements, Yallingup
, Gracetown
, Prevelly
, and Hamelin Bay
.
In summer, walkers should carry a minimum of 3 litres of water for a day's walking, and more if camping.
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail located in the far south-west corner of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, 250 km south of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
. It meanders along the whole length of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, which forms the backbone of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is a national park in the South West region of Western Australia , 267 km south of Perth.It is named after the two locations at either end of the park which have lighthouses, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste....
. Its start and finish are the lighthouses at the tips of Cape Naturaliste
Cape Naturaliste
Cape Naturaliste is a headland in the south western region of Western Australia at the western edge of the Geographe Bay. It is the northernmost point of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge which was named after the cape...
and Cape Leeuwin
Cape Leeuwin
Cape Leeuwin is the most south-westerly mainland point of the Australian Continent, in the state of Western Australia.A few small islands and rocks, the St Alouarn Islands, extend further to the south. The nearest settlement, north of the cape, is Augusta. South-east of Cape Leeuwin, the coast...
. The Track extends over 135 km of coastal scenery, sheltered forests and pristine beaches, and is in close proximity to the cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s, vineyard
Vineyard
A vineyard is a plantation of grape-bearing vines, grown mainly for winemaking, but also raisins, table grapes and non-alcoholic grape juice...
s and other features and attractions of the "South West Capes - Margaret River
Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River is a town in the South West of Western Australia, located in the valley of the eponymous Margaret River, south of Perth, the state capital. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River....
Region".
History
The original AboriginalIndigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
inhabitants of the area, the Wardandi people would have known the ridge and its resources intimately, and would regularly have travelled its length. Soon after the first European settlers arrived at Augusta
Augusta, Western Australia
Augusta is a town on the south-west coast of Western Australia, where the Blackwood River emerges into Flinders Bay. It is the nearest town to Cape Leeuwin, on the farthest south-west corner of the Australian continent. In the 2001 census it had a population of 1,694; by 2006 the population of...
in March 1831, John Dewar and Andrew Smith travelled to the Swan River on foot, recording the section to Cape Naturaliste
Cape Naturaliste
Cape Naturaliste is a headland in the south western region of Western Australia at the western edge of the Geographe Bay. It is the northernmost point of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge which was named after the cape...
in their journal. They seemed to have had little difficulty traversing the country, reporting that much had been burnt, and they travelled alternately on the beaches or three to four miles inland along a ridge of low hills. It took them six days to reach Cape Naturaliste
Cape Naturaliste
Cape Naturaliste is a headland in the south western region of Western Australia at the western edge of the Geographe Bay. It is the northernmost point of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge which was named after the cape...
, much the same time that it takes now, though probably in slightly less relaxed fashion, as they started before sunrise, and sometimes marched by moonlight.
Since those days, the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge has become increasingly populated, with roads and tracks criss-crossing the land. Most of these, however, run east-west, whereas the coastline runs north-south, and much of the remaining bushland between has grown thick and impenetrable. The coastline and a significant proportion of the ridge are now reserved as the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is a national park in the South West region of Western Australia , 267 km south of Perth.It is named after the two locations at either end of the park which have lighthouses, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste....
. In the 1980s Jane Scott, a local resident, found ways of walking from the one Cape to the other (pers. comm. 1987).
In 1988, a Federal Government
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
Bicentenary Grant provided funding to the Department of Environment and Conservation
Department of Environment and Conservation
The Department of Environment and Conservation is a department of the Government of Western Australia that is responsible for implementing the state's conservation and environment legislation and regulations...
(DEC) for a project to develop the dedicated walk-track.
The Track was officially opened in April 2001 and is managed by the DEC.
The Track today
The present Track is a combination of different types of terrain and surface. It varies from smooth, wide tracks, to narrow rocky paths, to soft sandy beaches and a few rough scrambles. The intention is to create a low-key bush-trail that blends into the environment, rather than a highly engineered walkway. However, the track between Cape Nauraliste and Sugarloaf is specially constructed for disabled users. This section is suitable for wheelchair use, but the rest of the track is designed as a single-use walking track, and cannot sustain the wear and tear of other users such as horses or mountain bikes.Some sections currently make use of old vehicle tracks, and other sections involved cutting new paths. The Track includes several quite long stretches of accessible beach, allowing opportunities for cooling the feet, as well as helping to minimise construction and maintenance costs. To help control erosion, and to make life easier for walkers, there are built steps on some steep sections.
Many streams form sandbars in summer but flow through to the sea in winter. The only stream with a formal bridge crossing is Boodjidup Brook.
Access points along its length allow walkers to sample the Track as a series of short walks over time. Many people actually complete the walk over several months or years as a series of one-day or half-day walks. The goal for some walkers will be to complete the whole Track at once, but for many, enjoying a short walk now and again is feasible.
Track marking
Square pine posts mark the way roughly every 100–200 m, each post bearing the yellow and white Track logo. Larger wooden signs usually show the way off beaches.Climate
The climate along the Capes is not extreme, having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The area rarely experiences frosts, and snow has never been recorded. Summer temperatures only occasionally reach the high 30s. This southwest corner - and Cape LeeuwinCape Leeuwin
Cape Leeuwin is the most south-westerly mainland point of the Australian Continent, in the state of Western Australia.A few small islands and rocks, the St Alouarn Islands, extend further to the south. The nearest settlement, north of the cape, is Augusta. South-east of Cape Leeuwin, the coast...
is the first part of the Australian mainland to feel the force of the Roaring Forties
Roaring Forties
The Roaring Forties is the name given to strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, generally between the latitudes of 40 and 49 degrees. Air displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole, which travels close to the surface between the latitudes of 30 and 60 degrees south, combines...
or winter gales that whip across the southern Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
. The minimum temperature is always above 0°C.
Camping
There are four low-key campsitesCamping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
for walkers wishing to camp out along the Track. These, together with existing campgrounds and caravan parks, provide places to camp roughly a day's walk apart along the length of the Track. Each of the Track campsites has a bush toilet, a rainwater-tank filled from the toilet roof, a picnic-table, and seats. There are no shelters and walkers need to carry their own tents. There are no fees for using the campsites. Two other National Park campgrounds have toilets and fireplaces where camping fees are payable.
The Track passes through four settlements, Yallingup
Yallingup, Western Australia
Yallingup is a town in the South West region of Western Australia, south of Perth. Yallingup is a popular tourist destination because of its beaches and limestone caves, and proximity to Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.-History and industry:...
, Gracetown
Gracetown, Western Australia
Gracetown is a small town in Western Australia. It is located 283 km south of the Perth CBD, in the Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council area on the coast at Cowaramup Bay....
, Prevelly
Prevelly, Western Australia
Prevelly is a townsite in the South West region of Western Australia. It is located on the coast at the mouth of Margaret River at the northern end of Calgardup Bay...
, and Hamelin Bay
Hamelin Bay, Western Australia
Hamelin Bay is a bay and a locality on the south west coast of Western Australia between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste. It is named after French explorer Jacques Félix Emmanuel Hamelin who sailed through the area in about 1801...
.
Water
The quality of water is highly variable, with creeks generally flowing from vineyards and farmland. All drinking water, except that from town taps should be treated. Don't rely on streams because they dry up in summer.In summer, walkers should carry a minimum of 3 litres of water for a day's walking, and more if camping.
External links
- Cape to Cape Track Guidebook; ISBN 978-0-9803337-4-9; a detailed guide to the Track.
- Friends of the Cape to Cape Track; the group that curates the Track. Contains many practical details.
- DEC track web page; the State Department of Environment and Conservation site.