A Complete Guide to the Cape to Cape Track, WA

The Cape to Cape Track is one of the most spectacular coastal walks in Australia (maybe even THE best). The 125-km long walking trail stretches from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin in the Southwest region of Western Australia. 

The most impressive aspect of the track is that it almost never leaves the coast, and you can practically see or hear the ocean at all times. It passes by some of the most beautiful beaches in the Margaret River region, including Injidup Natural Spa, Gracetown Beach, Redgate Beach, Hamelin Bay, and Cosy Corner Beach as it connects the two lighthouses standing on the far edges of each cape.

I tackled the Cape to Cape Track just a few days after finishing a thru-hike of the Bibbulmun Track. It was the perfect way to finish off an amazing couple of months of walking through southwest WA. In this blog post, I’m going to detail everything you need to know about hiking the Cape to Cape Track, including my itinerary and top tips.

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Quick Facts About the Cape to Cape Track

• Distance: 125 km (sometimes written as 130km or 135km)
• Time to complete: 5-7 days
• Direction: NOBO (northbound) or SOBO (southbound) one way
• Northern trailhead: Cape Naturaliste
• Southern trailhead: Cape Leeuwin
• Walking options: Day hikes, section hikes, or full end to end
• Camping/accommodation: Free hike-in camps or caravan parks and other accommodation on the way 
• Fees: Free to walk the trail (no permit required)

About the Cape to Cape Track

The Cape to Cape Track stretches 125 km from the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in the Margaret River region of WA. It’s one of the most outstanding coastal walking trails in Australia, as it follows the spectacular coastline along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

It follows mostly a single-track hiking trail for walkers only, but also incorporates some shared footpaths (especially through towns) and 4WD tracks near the beaches. The highlight of the track is the incredible coastal scenery along the way, but this also means a few sections of beach walking (some lasting several kilometres).

The track is considered a moderate hike, due to its minimal elevation, but it also includes some tiring walking on soft sand for long stretches.

The most unique aspect of the Cape to Cape Track in my opinion is the flexibility and variation it provides in accommodation options. The walk can suit a range of people, from those wishing to camp along the way and be completely self-sufficient to those preferring to stay in accommodation and carry minimal gear. I’ll provide more information on this below.

When to Hike the Cape to Cape Track

You can walk the Cape to Cape Track at any time of the year. However, the best time to walk the trail is in spring or autumn. These seasons provide more moderate temperatures and conditions that are ideal for walking. I’d highly recommend a spring hike though, as this also means you can admire the wildflowers and migrating whales as well.

I completed the Cape to Cape Track at the end of October and it was absolutely perfect. The temperatures were still quite moderate but the sun was out every day. I saw plenty of whales off the coast, including several mornings where I could watch them breach and frolic in the bays. The wildflowers were also still vibrant, so all in all a great time.

On the other hand, summer would be incredibly hot and with minimal shade around I would suggest walking mostly in the early mornings or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. In winter, you’ll likely have the trail to yourself, but it can be quite cool, rainy and windy making the conditions much more challenging.

Which Direction to Hike the Cape to Cape Track?

You can complete the trail in either direction. North to south (SOBO) is from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin and south to north (NOBO) is vice versa. It really comes down to your own preference, but there are a few things to consider:

• Logistics: Depending on where you live or where you’re coming from, it might be easier to park at one end or the other. I personally thought it was easier for me to leave my van at the northern end so I could go back there once I was done, but this might be different for individual circumstances. More about logistics below.
• Sun: Walking SOBO generally means keeping the sun on your back for most of the day. This would differ a little depending on time of year, but is pretty accurate and I appreciated having it behind me.
• Difficulty: The southern half of the trail is considered more difficult because it has longer beach walking sections. Some prefer to walk the easiest parts first, while others might like to get the hardest days out of the way first. I thought it was better for me to have a lighter pack for the sandy days at the end, but this is personal preference.

Cost of Hiking the Cape to Cape Track

Walking the Cape to Cape Track is free. The hike-in campsites on the track are also free, but there are some caravan parks and public campgrounds on the trail where fees apply. Depending on your budget and comfort level, you can do the track for almost nothing.

There are some costs associated with logistics, depending on how you choose to get to and from the trail. Parking at the lighthouse and taking the bus is the most budget option, but there are also other options for private parking and transfers available as well. More on this below.

Camping on the Cape to Cape Track

There are four designated hike-in campgrounds on the Cape to Cape Track. These are free to use and each have several tent sites (unmarked), drop toilet, picnic tables, and a water tank.

The four free hike-in campgrounds from north to south are:

• Mount Duckworth
• Moses Rock
• Ellensbrook
• Deepdene

There are also paid camping options, ranging from caravan parks to National Park Campgrounds. Most hikers need to utilise at least one of these for itineraries of six days or more. However, some people prefer the paid campgrounds as they offer more facilities.

The paid campgrounds on the trail from north to south include:

• Yallingup Caravan Parks (there are two here)
• Gracetown Caravan Park
• Prevelly Caravan Park
• Conto Campground (WA Parks Camp)
• Point Road Campsite (WA Parks Camp)
• Hamelin Bay Caravan Park

Accommodation on the Cape to Cape Track

If you prefer more comfortable accommodation on the trail, you can also opt for cabins at the caravan parks or even B&Bs in the small towns along the way. However, be aware that the section from Prevelly to Hamelin Bay is roughly 40km with only Contos Campground or Point Road Campground in between, so you’ll still have to camp one night.

If you want to avoid camping all together then there is the popular option of staying at one accommodation place and booking a transfer service each day to the trail. This way you can complete the entire trail with just a day pack and return to the same place each night. This is still self-guided. Companies running transfer services like this, include Dunsborough Chauffeurs and South West Driving Service.

Guided walks on the Cape to Cape Track are also available through companies like Cape to Cape Explorer Tours or Auswalk Walking Holidays.

Cape to Cape Track 6 Day Itinerary

This is my six day itinerary for the Cape to Cape Track. This is ideal for those who are fairly fit and looking for the most budget friendly option (I camped every night in my tent, no showers).

I used the secure park and drop by Dunsborough Chauffeurs (outlined just below). On the first day, I drove to their property in Dunsborough and they dropped me at the northern trailhead just before lunch.

At the end of the trail, I hitched a ride with some tourists for the 8km drive into Augusta. I then caught the 3.05pm bus from Augusta to Dunsborough. Dunsborough Chauffeurs picked me up from the bus stop and took me back to their property so I could get my van. Easy!

Transport and Logistics

Logistics for the Cape to Cape Track does take a bit of planning, especially because the trail is designed as a one way hike and the two trailheads can’t be reached by public transport. There are a few options for parking and transport, which I’ll outline here.

Getting To and From Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

The nearest town to Cape Naturaliste is Dunsborough, which is 14 km away by road. There is a large carpark open 24 hours at the lighthouse. You can leave your car here for the duration of your hike, but it’s recommended to let the staff know beforehand.

If you prefer not to leave your car unattended for a week at the lighthouse, then there is a secure park and transfer service run by Dunsborough Chauffeurs. The package includes a secure carpark at their place, a transfer to the start of the walk, and then a pick up from the bus stop in Dunsborough to bring you back to your vehicle. This costs $170 as of December 2024.

Dunsborough is linked by TransWA buses to and from Perth to the north and Augusta (the closest town to the southern terminus of the trail). The journey between Dunsborough and Augusta by bus takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Then, you can take a transfer or taxi to the lighthouse from town.

Another option is walking from Dunsborough to Cape Naturaliste. You can use the Meelup Trail which is 14km walking track from Old Dunsborough to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse (it would be about 16km if starting from Dunsborough centre). This obviously adds a fair bit onto your first day, but it is a really beautiful walk in its own right.

Getting To and From Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Augusta is the nearest town to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse at the southern end of the track. It’s about 8.5km by road, with no walking track option like Cape Naturaliste to Dunsborough.

The car park at Cape Leeuwin is much smaller and hikers are not encouraged to leave their vehicles there as it means taking up a spot for visitors and tourists. However, it is still technically allowed, just let the staff know beforehand.

For a similar service than mentioned above, you can contact Cy from South West Driving Service. They offer transfers from Augusta to Cape Leeuwin, as well as, safe parking options in Augusta, and daily transfers for those wanting to stay at accommodation.

Augusta is linked to Dunsborough and Perth by TransWA bus every day. The journey from Augusta back to Dunsborough by bus is 1 hour 20 minutes.

If you want to avoid getting a taxi from Augusta to Cape Leeuwin or vice versa, then it’s possible to walk on the road or try to hitch a ride. If you’re there on a weekend or during school holidays, then it should be relatively easy to hitch.

Safety While Hiking the Cape to Cape Track

The Cape to Cape Track is a relatively safe walking trail that is well-trafficked and passes through several small towns. However, there are still some things to consider when planning your walk, including weather, snakes, and phone reception.

Remoteness and Trail Access

The Cape to Cape Track is not as remote as other trails in Australia. It passes small coastal towns on the way and has many access points throughout the length of the track, especially at the public accessible beaches.

The trail is also popular amongst day hikers and surfers, so you won’t be alone out there. However, if you hike in off-peak season like winter, then you’ll definitely see far less people.

As with any walk in nature, it still has sections where you feel quite isolated and you’ll need to take precautions, like ensuring you have an offline map available and carry a PLB (more on navigation below).

Always carry a Personal Location Beacon (PLB) in case of emergency, like this Ocean Signal PLB which is small and lightweight.

Phone Signal and Reception

Phone network is surprisingly pretty good out on the track, especially around the trail towns. I had intermittent phone reception throughout the trail, generally on higher, open ground. You shouldn’t rely on it too much though, as it’s not entirely predictable.

If you stay in any of the trail towns then you’ll have phone reception at night. However, some of the campsites, especially in the southern half of the track do not have phone signal as it’s more remote. 

There are limited opportunities for charging your phone on the trail, especially if you’re camping the whole way. I suggest bringing a power bank or two to last the week. However, if you’re staying at the caravan parks then you’ll have a chance to recharge. 

Tip: A couple of the cafes may allow you to charge your phone if you purchase something and ask nicely.

Snakes, Insects and Other Animals

There are several animals and insects that might give you some grief on the Cape to Cape Track.

Snakes are the main thing that people are concerned about and yes, you’ll almost definitely see one (unless you’re walking in the middle of winter, but even then you might).

Dugites and tiger snakes are the most common on the trail. Give them plenty of room and they’ll likely move right off the track. Do not get too close to them as this is when they’ll feel threatened. I only saw a few snakes, which is not many for a spring hike. 

Insects can be a pest on the trail as well. Flies will be common on warmer days, generally from late spring until early autumn. They can be quite thick and swarming on particularly warm days, so some prefer to bring a fly net just in case.

Mosquitoes and sand flies are also common in the evenings and early mornings. Generally, I tend to crawl into my tent as soon as the sun sets to avoid getting bitten.  

Tip: Deepdene Camp was by far the worst for insects, with lots of mosquitoes hanging around. 

I didn’t have any problems with mice or rats on the trail. I kept my food in a dry bag deep in my backpack in my tent at night. However, some hikers did prefer to hang their food from a tree at night with fishing line, just in case. Quendas and crows are often sniffing around the camps too, so don’t leave any food or rubbish out. 

Weather

The weather is quite unpredictable in the southwest of WA. Summers are hot and winters are rainy and windy. This is why hikers prefer to walk in autumn and spring for the best conditions. However, you should be prepared to experience four seasons in a day, as it can be rainy or windy even in spring.

Temperatures are generally pretty mild in the southwest, even overnight. However, you should be prepared for cooler temperatures in the evenings with the appropriate layers and sleeping bag, depending on the season. Rarely will the coast get frosts or anything below zero though.

Tip: Ellensbrook Camp tends to be one of the coldest places on the trail. It’s amongst a pretty forest next to a creek and the temperatures do get noticeably cooler there.

Inlet Crossings

The only major river crossing is the Margaret River Mouth just north of Prevelly. This is generally the deepest of the crossings you’ll have on the trail, although there are a few other minor inlets as well. 

In winter and into spring, this can be too deep and uncrossable. You can check for updates on the Cape to Cape Track Facebook Group. There is a detour around the river mouth for those hiking in winter or after heavy rain.

When I crossed in late spring, it was just above knee deep at worst, but otherwise not too wide. I took my boots off and crossed easily enough.

Navigation on the Cape to Cape Track

The Cape to Cape Track is marked with official trail markers along the way. For the most part, the trail is on a single-track hiking trail that is quite obvious to follow. Still, it’s important to have a couple of navigation devices to help you keep to the right track, including an offline GPS app.

There is the official Cape to Cape Track App which you can purchase for $27 through the app store on your phone. 

If you use the FarOut App (popular amongst thru hikers), then you can also purchase the Cape to Cape Track for $9. Both options are very comprehensive and will show you where you are on trail, even offline. I personally prefer FarOut and have used it on many long distance trails.

The most difficult parts of navigating the trail are at beach exits which are easy to miss, and through towns. Keep your eyes out for the large, blue poles on top of sand dunes indicating a beach exit (pictured above). Finding your way through the towns can also be a little challenging, with not enough signs and more distractions. This is why having a GPS app offline is essential!

Food and Water on the Cape to Cape Track

Managing your food and water is important for a long hike. There are options to refill water and resupply some food along the Cape to Cape Track. Here’s what you need to know.

Rainwater Tanks

Each hike-in campground has rainwater tanks. These are generally very reliable, and rangers do check the levels during dry spells and in summer. However, it’s important to carry about 2-3L per day with you so that you keep hydrated between camps.

You’ll also be able to pick up additional water in the towns if you need. There will be drinking fountains and taps in the parks and carparks that you can find.

If you choose to stay at the caravan parks or accommodation, then you’ll also have more access to water each day.

For filtering water on a multi-day hike, I use a Sawyer Squeeze Filter because it’s small, lightweight and easy to use. For shorter hikes, I also have a Lifestraw filter bottle, which is great for day hikes and everyday travel.

General Stores and Resupply Options

As a solo hiker camping the entire trail, I was fully self-sufficient with my food for the whole six days. I carried enough meals and snacks from the beginning to get me through to the end. 

Dehydrated meals are the easiest and lightest option for dinner, while you can bring along bagels or wraps for lunches. 

However, the trail does pass through a few towns along the way that do offer an opportunity to resupply snacks and also stop for a meal at a café or pub. You’ll still need to carry plenty of food with you though for the duration of the trail.

• Yallingup has a general store, a few cafes, and a pub
• Gracetown has a wonderful general store and café called Gracie’s (worth a stop for a treat)
• Prevelly has a café called The Sea Garden Café right next to the caravan park (worth a lunch break here)
• Hamelin Bay Caravan Park has a kiosk for lunch 

Read more: How to Plan Your Food for Hiking

Preparation and Training for the Cape to Cape Track

The Cape to Cape Track requires a decent level of fitness. However, it’s a moderate graded hike, so you don’t need to be ultra fit to complete it.

Carrying a pack is the hardest part of a long distance walk. I suggest doing some day hikes with a pack in the lead up to your Cape to Cape adventure or at least be confident that your body will be able to handle the weight of a pack.

Beach Walking

Sand walking is the biggest risk for injury on the Cape to Cape Track. It’s significantly harder for your legs and feet to walk on soft sand with a pack. If you live near the beach, I’d recommend walking on sand as part of your training. Otherwise, any calf strengthening exercises will also help to cope with the strain of sand walking. 

My biggest piece of advice when walking on long stretches of beaches on the Cape to Cape Track is to walk as close to the water line as possible. Walking on wet sand is usually much harder packed and easier to walk on. Walking at low tide is also more ideal, as the sand should be harder as well. However, it might not always be convenient to time your walk with the tides.

It can also be easier to take your shoes off and walk barefoot in the shallow water or at the tide line (although this can strain your feet if you aren’t used to it as well). I preferred to do this when I could, but find whatever works best for you.

What to Pack for the Cape to Cape Track

Packing everything you need for a week-long hike can be a daunting task. It’s important to focus on pack weight and try to keep it as light as possible without compromising too much on your own safety and essentials.

However, it’s also a personal preference how much you skimp on comfort and what you consider to be essential for a hike. Read more in my complete overnight hiking packing list.

Here’s what I packed on the Cape to Cape Track:

Hiking and Camping Gear

• Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Tent
• Footprint: Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Footprint
• Sleeping Mat: Sea to Summit Ultralight Sleeping Mat
• Sleeping Bag: Sea to Summit Spark IV Sleeping Bag
• Pillow: Sea to Summit Premium Inflatable Pillow
• Pack Cover: Osprey rain cover
• Backpack: Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack
• Headlamp: Black Diamond Rechargeable Headlamp
• Hiking Poles: Helinox Trekking Poles
• Bum Bag: Patagonia Ultralight Hip Belt
• Water Filter: Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
• Water Bladder: Osprey 3L Hydration Reservoir
• Drink Bottle: Stainless Steel Drink Bottle
• Emergency Device: PLB
• Dry Bags: Assorted dry bags
• Hiking Stove: JetBoil Zip Stove (plus gas and matches)
• Cup: Titanium mug
• Cutlery: Spork

Toiletries

• First Aid: Small first aid kit and snake bite bandage
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen and SPF Lip Balm
• Dental: Bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste powder
• Soap: Wilderness soap
• Electrolytes
• Toilet Paper

Clothing

• Bottoms: Macpac Leggings
• Top: Ottie Merino T-Shirt
• Mid-layer: Macpac Fleece jacket
• Down Jacket: Macpac Uber Light Down Jacket
• Sun Protection: Long sleeve shirt (from op shop)
• Hat: Will and Bear Cap
• Beanie: Amble Outdoors Beanie
• Socks: Injinji Socks
• Footwear: Keen Hiking Boots
• Camp Shoes: Teva Sandals
• Raincoat: Amble Outdoors Raincoat
• Spare Bottoms: Amble Outdoors Hiking Pants
• Underwear and crop top

Electronics

• Power Bank: Nitecore Power Bank 10,000 x2
• Camera: OM Systems OM5 Camera and 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro Lens
• Camera Clip: Peak Design Capture Clip
• Action Camera: GoPro Hero Action Camera
• Watch: Garmin Forerunner Watch
• All charging cables
• Earphones
• 240V USB wall charger adaptor

Optional Extras (I Didn’t Pack But Others Did)

• Mosquito repellent
• Rain pants
• Deodorant
• Thermals or sleep clothes
• Gloves
• Gaiters
• Fishing wire (for hanging food)

More Hiking Trails in WA?

• Bibbulmun Track: Guide to Thru Hiking the Bibbulmun Track
• Stirling Ranges: Best Hikes in Stirling Ranges National Park
• South West: 12 Best Day Hikes in South West WA

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