Cape to Cape Track – Walking the Southwest of WA

The Cape to Cape Track is 135 km long walk track located within the the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park which is found in the South-west coast of Western Australia (the famous Margaret River wine growing region).  The Cape to Cape Track is not developed to the extent of the Bibbulmun Track in that there is no “five star accommodation”, read huts, however, there are campsites with water tanks, a very good guidebook is available and the track is reasonably well marked.

Cape to Cape Track Trail Marker

As at November 2002, the Department of Environment and Conservation with the support of the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track had established four campsites.  Even with the four campsites established there is a stretch of the Cape to Cape Walk Track between the Ellensbrook Campsite and Deepedene where the walker will need to make their own arrangements for camping and accessing or carrying in their own water. Each of the established campsites on the Cape to Cape Track consists of cleared tent sites (usually around three except for Ellensbrook which has two large camping areas), a pit toilet, a water tank fed off the roof of the toilet and a picnic table. The water supply at each campsite is limited.  Please note that a NO FIRES policy applies along the whole of the Cape to Cape Track so if you want hot food, a fuel stove will need to be carried. I have walked the Cape to Cape Track twice. The first time was in 2002 when I walked north to south, i.e., from Dunsborough to Augusta.  I revisited the Cape to Cape Track in September 2009, this time walking from the south (Augusta) to the north (Cape Naturaliste).

Accessing the Cape to Cape Track

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The nearest town to the northern trailhead of the Cape to Cape Track is Dunsborough (approx. 270 km south west of Perth) and the nearest town to the southern trailhead of the Cape to Cape Track is Augusta (approx. 298 km south west of Perth).  Dunsborough is 15.4 km from the northern trailhead of the Cape to Cape Track, however, the trailhead can be accessed from Dunsborough via the “Meelup Trail,” a walking trail from Dunsborough to Cape Naturaliste (see my track notes for more detail on the “Meelup Trail.)”  At the southern end, the Cape to Cape Track trailhead is 8 km south of Augusta at Cape Leeuwin.  No dedicated walk trail exists into Augusta, however, one can follow the road, beach or get a taxi if preferred.

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Public transport to and from the Cape to Cape Track Trailheads

The only public transport options to access the towns at each end of the Cape to Cape Track are buses.    The Western Australian State Government bus company Transwa and the private bus company, South West Coach Lines (Veolia Transport WA) also provide services to and from Augusta and Dunsborough

Intermediate Access Points to the Cape to Cape Track

The nature of the Cape to Cape Track means that it passes through numerous localities providing easy access for short walks and day walks.  These additional access point Yallingup, Smiths Beach, Gracetown, Prevelly Park and Hamelin Bay. In addition their are numerous minor access points, of which some may be 4WD only.  See my Cape to Cape Track notes notesfor more details.

Cape to Cape Track - The Isolation of the Beach

Cape to Cape Track Maps and Documentation

There is a very good guidebook for the Cape to Cape Track written by Jane Scott and Ray Forma titled, “The Cape to Cape Track Guidebook incorporating the Meelup Trail” (Fully Revised 5th Edition).  The Cape to Cape Track guidebook is published by Cape to Cape Publishing. The book is available from the Friends of Cape to Cape Track  and various map and outdoor retailers.

Cape to Cape Track Guidebook Sample Map Page

The Cape to Cape Track Guidebook provides basic information on each section of the track. This basic information includes access options, facilities and description of track sections. The basic information is supported by minimal detail 1: 25 000 “page-sized” maps for each section plus photos.  The book also covers the Meelup Trail (13.5 km) which runs from Dunsborough (nearest town to the northern trail head) to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse (northern trail head).

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has published two maps of the Track. Map 1 covers the Track from Cape Naturaliste (northern trailhead) to Prevelly and Map 2 covers the track from Prevelly to Cape Leeuwin (southern trailhead).

Other track documentation includes a set of five sketch maps covering the track.  These retail for approx, $2.20 each or for a reduced price if all five are purchased as a set.  Scans from these sketch maps, giving a general indication of the track are available via email only at aushiker@yahoo.com.au.  The scans are provided for general information only.  You should purchase your own copies.  The sketch maps are:

• Cape to Cape Walk Track – Section 1 – Cape Naturaliste to Wyadup – 20 km
• Cape to Cape Walk Track – Section 2 – Wyadup to Cowaramup Bay – 27 km
• Cape to Cape Walk Track – Section 3 – Cowaramup Bay to Redgate Beach – 31 km
• Cape to Cape Walk Track – Section 4 – Redgate Beach to Hamelin Bay – 29 kmCape to Cape Walk Track – Section 5 – Hamelin Bay to Cape Leeuwin – 29 km

Cape to Cape Track Notes 

I have completed to end to end walks of the Cape to Cape Track a north – south walk in 2002 and a revisit, south – north wak in 2009.  Clicking on the links will take you to my write ups of those walks.  Hopefully this provides a bit more of a hands on take of the Cape to Cape Track.

Cape to Cape Track Resources and Other Key Points to Note

Cape to Cape Track Key Points to Note

The first and foremost to note about the Cape to Cape Track is that is a no-fires walk trail, that is open fires are not allowed along the Cape to Cape Track or at the designated campsites.  This means that one must make use of a fuel stove or eat pre-cooked food whilst transversing the Cape to Cape Track.

Cape to Cape Track - Camping at Mt Duckworth

The other difference to note with the Cape to Cape Track is that there are no huts or other forms of shelter at the campsites.  If you plan to camp out on the Cape to Cape Track you need to take your own tent or other form of shelter.  On the positive side, each campsite has a toilet, water tank and picnic table.

Water availability  on the Cape to Cape Track can be limited particularly during summer and early autumn.  There is a section between Prevelly and Contos and then again south to Hamelin Bay where there is no local water unless Boodjidup Creek is flowing.

Cape to Cape Track Resources

• The Cape to Cape Track has a volunteers group that helps maintain the Track know as the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track;
• Cape to Cape Publishing publish the Cape to Cape Track Guidebook;
• John Chapman a noted Australian bush walker and author of numerous bush walking books has a section on the Cape to Cape Track;
• The Department of Environment and Conservation maintains a resource page on the Cape to Cape Track.

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