Cape to Cape Track Guide
The Summary
The Cape to Cape Track is Western Australia’s premier coastal walk. Located at the most southwesterly point of Australia, it is approximately 250km south of Perth. Stretching 127km, it winds along the entire length of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, forming the backbone of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
Located at the most southwesterly point of Australia, it is approximately 250km south of Perth and stretches 127km along the entire length of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge.
Consequently, we highly recommend using trail running gaiters to help keep sand out of your shoes (whilst also emptying your shoes proactively).
Contents
When to walk
The track is open year-round, but some seasons are less ideal than others. In summer, temperatures can become too high, and flies are more prevalent. Meanwhile, winter brings heavy rainfall, which usually eases in late September or early October.
Spring
We recommend hiking in spring (September to November), with October typically best for viewing blooming orchids and wildflowers along the track. Spring also offers the chance to spot whales.
Autumn
The second best season to hike in is autumn (March to May), due to its mild weather and light winds. This season not only avoids summer’s intense heat and bushfire risks but also has fewer walkers on the trail.
Other considerations
You may also want to consider school holiday periods, as they can heavily affect accommodation availability and trail busyness.
| WA school terms breaks in 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Break one | 12 April – 27 April 2 |
| Break two | 5 July – 20 July |
| Break three | 27 Sept – Sun 12 Oct |
| Break four | 19 Dec – 1 Feb |
Which Direction To Walk
Many people prefer to walk southbound as you will have the sun at your back in the heat of the afternoon. Additionally, the northern half of the track has more access points, while the southern half offers a more remote, wilderness feel.
However, we generally recommend walking northbound to have the prevailing wind at your back. After all, walking along the beach is much more enjoyable without the wind and rain blasting into your face!
Getting to the start and finish from Perth
The closest towns to the northern and southern terminus of the Cape to Cape are Dunsborough and Augusta respectively. Both towns are accessible from Perth via Transwa bus. Note that busses currently do not run on Saturdays.
Dunsborough
From Perth, it is a 3-hour drive to Dunsborough. Alternatively, you can catch the bus which takes 4-5 hours. You can either use Transwa or South West Coach Lines.
From Dunsborough, it is a 15-minute drive to Cape Naturaliste. Transportation options include Dunsborough Chauffeurs, Along the Coast Tours, or South West Taxis. Hitching is also an option, which should be relatively straightforward as the roads are busy.
Alternatively, you could start your hike early (or extend it) with a ~20km walk along hiking trails to/from Dunsborough via Bunker Bay. This is an excellent walk and highly recommended if you are comfortable walking the 30km in total to/from Mount Duckworth campsite.
Augusta
Driving from Perth to Augusta takes 3-4 hours. By Transwa bus, it takes 5-6 hours.
From Augusta, it is a 10-minute drive to Cape Leeuwin. It is accessible by car, hitching (on a busy road), or with a booked ride from South West Driving Services. And, while it is possible to walk the 9km to Cape Leeuwin along the road, we don’t recommend it.
Track difficulty (pros and cons)
Compared to other long-distance ‘thru hikes’, this track is relatively easy. It is mostly flat, the weather is typically mild, and there are frequent resupply points.
However, if you’re new to multi-day hikes, it may be easy to be caught off guard by this trail, as the elevation can be deceiving. After large storms, parts of the beach may be washed away, leaving uneven and overly soft surfaces that can be challenging to walk on. The sand can also cause foot problems very quickly!
Overall, we find the terrain is more difficult than hikes like the Great Ocean Walk, Great South West Walk, Three Capes Track, and Overland Track (excluding side trips). However, we find it is easier than the Larapinta Trail and the Australian Alps Walking Track.
Things that could make the track easier or more enjoyable:
- Truly unique coastline
- Stunning wildflowers endemic to the region
- Karri forest
- A great chance to see dolphins and whales (June to September)
- Frequent resupply and accommodation options
- Trails are reasonably well sign-posted
Things that could make the track more difficult or less enjoyable:
- Sand!
- If the Margaret River is too high, the detour is not very enjoyable
- The northern half of the track does not feel very remote
- The track tends to be much busier on weekends and during school holidays
- Lots of day walkers on the trail
Cost
The Cape to Cape Track has no walking fee. Excluding gear costs, starting from Perth we would expect the track to cost somewhere in the $200-$600 range. Below is a breakdown of what you could spend on the hike:
Accommodation
| Accommodation | Cost per night |
|---|---|
| National Park campgrounds | |
| Contos campground |
|
| Point Road campground |
|
| Rooms in towns | |
| Dorm beds | $30–$50 |
| Private rooms | $80–$120 |
| Motels and budget hotels | $100–$150 |
| Mid-range hotels, guesthouses, and some B&Bs | $150–$300 |
| Upscale hotels and lodges | $300 and up |
Groceries
Roughly $30 per person per day or $100–$200 for the entire hike.
Transportation expenses
A bus ride from Perth to Dunsborough costs $37–$55, while the fare from Perth to Augusta ranges from $47–$68. For private transportation services, rates typically start at $30.
Gear
Our recommendation is a standard 3-season ultralight gear list. It is a great place to test new gear as the weather is quite warm, and the terrain is mild with minimal weather exposure. Having said that, it is still important to be prepared for the possibility of sudden weather changes. A reliable rain system is essential since heavy rain can arrive with little warning. A 50g emergency poncho can be a useful addition to your gear list to ensure you’re prepared for unexpected downpours. Overall, we think a comfortable setup is very achievable with a base weight of 3-6kg.
We will be adding a detailed list of our recommended gear to this guide soon. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and be notified.
Section distance and elevation stats
The Cape to Cape Track stretches 127km, with an average grade of just 4.1%. If you walked 20km per day, you would on average climb 410m per day.
Below we compare the Cape to Cape with other famous hikes in terms of steepness and distance.
| Walk | Distance (km) | Elevation Change (%) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape to Cape Track | 127 | 4.1 | Australia (WA) |
| Bibbulmun Track | 947 | 4.5 | Australia (WA) |
| Larapinta Trail | 222 | 4.9 | Australia (NT) |
| Heysen Trail | 1077 | 4 | Australia (SA) |
| Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) | 680 | 8.2 | Australia (VIC, NSW, ACT) |
| Six Foot Track | 44 | 7 | Australia (NSW) |
| Great North Walk | 268 | 5.3 | Australia (NSW) |
| Great Ocean Walk | 96 | 6.2 | Australia (VIC) |
| Great South West Walk | 253 | 3.3 | Australia (VIC) |
| South Coast Track | 73 | 7.8 | Australia (TAS) |
| Overland Track (no side trips) | 71 | 5.9 | Australia (TAS) | Western Arthurs (full loop) | 76 | 11.2 | Australia (TAS) |
| Three Capes Track | 40 | 8.2 | Australia (TAS) |
| Te Araroa | 3000 | 4.4 | New Zealand |
| Pacific Crest Trail | 4265 | 6.6 | USA (CA, OR, WA) |
| Appalachian Trail | 3364 | 7.8 | USA (East Coast) |
Resupply
We find that the best way to resupply on the Cape to Cape Track is to buy your essentials at the start, and then top up in the little towns along the way (e.g. Prevelly, Gracetown, and Yallingup). None of these places have a massive dried food selection, but if you aren’t picky you could easily buy a day or two of food from each of them. They do have lots of great snacks and hot food though!
Alternatively, you can hitch/walk into Margaret River from Prevelly, the half way point on the trail.
Resupply options on track:
Prevelly
There is a general store and a cafe here, with a selection of snacks, drinks, and minor resupply items. For additional supplies, you can hitch (15 mins) into to Margaret River.
Gracetown
This town has a general store with snacks, and other essentials. Its proximity to the trail makes it a convenient stop for a mid-track top up.
Smiths Beach
There are limited options here, but the general store does have snacks, drinks, and other basic items.
Yallingup
Offers some resupply options, like a general store. Overall, it is great for picking up quick snacks, drinks, and other small essentials.
Resupply options off track:
Augusta
This town is near the southern end of the track at Cape Leeuwin. It has a well-stocked IGA supermarket and several cafes, which provide decent resupply options for hikers before starting their northbound trek.
Margaret River
It is a major town accessible at roughly half way from Prevelly. It is a 16km return walk on sealed paths so hitching or getting a lift is recommended. It has a full range of supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, and other services for more extensive resupply needs.
Dunsborough
It is located just off the northern trailhead at Cape Naturaliste. It is a large town with many supermarkets, cafes, and other services, making it ideal for preparing for a southbound walk.
Posting food
Some accommodations and stores in Yallingup, Gracetown and Prevelly may accept packages for hikers. However, we recommend calling ahead to confirm if they do offer this service, as not all locations accept or hold parcels for hikers.
Accommodation, shelters, and facilities
Camping
Camping is permitted only at designated places along the track. There are 4 official campsites. You can find them at:
- Deepdene (15.8km)
- Ellensbrook (74km)
- Moses Rock (93.1km)
- Mt Duckworth (116.3km)
These campsites are free to use and come with basic amenities, including toilets, picnic tables, and a small water tank. Note that they do not have shelters, and fires are not permitted on-site.
Additionally, there are two more developed campgrounds within the National Park along the track, which have amenities like toilets and fireplaces. Camping fees apply here (see the cost section), and we recommend booking in advance to secure a spot.
- Contos (45.1km; with water)
- Point Road (44km; no water)
Other accommodation options
There are also private caravan parks along the track where you can book a powered or unpowered site.
- Hamelin Bay Holiday Park (24.9km)
- Prevelly Caravan Park (63.9km)
- Gracetown Caravan Park (81.8km)
- Tasman Holiday Park - Yallingup Beach (113.6km)
- Tasman Caves Caravan Park (114.5km)
Distance and elevation change between possible campsites:
Here you can find the distance and grade between each place you could camp. Below we list recommended itineraries for walks between 3-8 days in length.
| Section | Distance (km) | Elevation Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Leeuwin — Deepdene | 15.8 | 3.4 |
| Deepdene — Hamelin Bay | 8.8 | 4.5 |
| Hamelin Bay — Point Rd Campground | 19.4 | 3.7 |
| Point Rd Campground — Contos Campground | 1.1 | 5.4 |
| Contos Campground — Prevelly | 16.2 | 4.1 |
| Prevelly — Ellensbrook | 12.6 | 3.9 |
| Ellensbrook — Gracetown | 7.5 | 3.2 |
| Gracetown — Moses Rock | 11.6 | 5.1 |
| Moses Rock — Yallingup | 20.1 | 4.6 |
| Yallingup — Cape Naturaliste | 13.9 | 4.2 |
3 days (~42.2km/day)
Cape Leeuwin → Contos (45.1km) → Gracetown (36.4km) → Cape Naturaliste (45.6km)
4 days (~31.8km/day)
Cape Leeuwin → Hamelin Bay (24.6km) → Prevelly (36.7km) → Moses Rock (31.7km) → Cape Naturaliste (34.0km)
5 days (~25.4km/day)
Cape Leeuwin → Hamelin Bay (24.6km) → Contos Campground (20.5km) → Ellensbrook (28.8 km) → Moses Rock (19.1km) → Cape Naturaliste (34km)
6 days (~21.2km/day)
Cape Leeuwin → Hamelin Bay (24.6km) → Contos Campground (20.5km) → Ellensbrook (28.8km) → Moses Rock (19.1km) → Yallingup (20.1km) → Cape Naturaliste (13.9km)
7 days (~18.1km/day)
Cape Leeuwin → Hamelin Bay (24.6 km) → Point Rd Campground (19.4 km) → Prevelly (17.3km) → Gracetown (20.1km) → Moses Rock (11.6km) → Yallingup (20.1km) → Cape Naturaliste (13.9km)
8 days (~15.9km/day)
Cape Leeuwin → Deepdene (15.8km) → Hamelin Bay (8.8 km) → Point Rd Campground (19.4 km) → Prevelly (17.3km) → Gracetown (20.1km) → Moses Rock (11.6km) → Yallingup (20.1km) → Cape Naturaliste (13.9km)
If you prefer customising your itinerary, you may find our GPX file helpful.
Beaches
The Cape to Cape Track is home to several stretches of beaches, extending along the coastline. Below, you’ll find a guide to where these beaches are located and their lengths.
| Beach | Distance (km) | Length (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Deepdene Beach | 11.1 | 5.5 |
| Hamelin Bay Beach | 24.6 | 6.5 |
| Redgate Beach | 52.4 | 2.3 |
| Kilcarnup Beach | 66.0 | 2.1 |
| Injidup Beach | 104.0 | 0.8 |
| Smiths Beach | 110.2 | 1.7 |
Water and availability
You can obtain water at resupply stops in towns or from rainwater tanks available at campsites. There are also occasional streams along the track, though they’re often unreliable outside of winter. We find that a 2-3 litre carrying capacity is sufficient.
Wildlife
Spring is a great time for hiking, as many wildflowers reach their peak bloom. Walking during this season offers the chance to spot dozens of orchids endemic to the region. Some of these include the donkey, scented sun, spider, mantis, enamel and cowslip orchids. There are plenty of other flowers to spot too!
The track is also home to a variety of fauna. Most commonly you will see the likes of reptiles such as bobtail lizards, south west bearded dragons, king skinks, and monitor lizards. There are also dugites, carpet pythons, western brown, and tiger snakes.
Other animals you are likely to spot include western grey kangaroos, kookaburras, ospreys, black cockatoos, dolphins and humpback whales. Dolphins are often seen off the coast, particularly in bays and calm waters, while humpback whales migrate along the coast from May to December.
For a more detailed breakdown of the flora and fauna see this excellent document.
Navigation
The signage is quite good on the trail, and the stakes for breaking a phone is relatively low as you are never too far away from civilisation.
Mapping apps like GaiaGPS and CalTopo make it easy to import our own GPX file and download topographic and satellite maps offline. Additionally, both apps support Strava heatmaps, which are excellent for assessing track quality and identifying real-world deviations from the GPX route.
You could also consider the Cape to Cape Track Guide App and FarOut. The Cape to Cape app provides useful information on amenities such as toilets and water sources. FarOut, on the other hand, has useful comments from fellow hikers, including reports on water availability and track conditions.
Regardless of the tools you use, having multiple systems can help with navigational redundancy.
You can find our GPX navigation file below. It is built using a combination of personal recordings, satellite, topographic and heatmap data.
Online Interactive Cape to Cape Map
Mobile phone reception
Most of the track has reception, with both Telstra and Optus. On clifftops and higher ground you almost always have reception, but it can drop off on remote beaches and in gullies. Reception is stronger in the northern half and drops off a bit further south.
Attractions
The Cape to Cape Track has a few natural and man-made attractions that are worth seeing:
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse marks the southern terminus of the track. Located at the tip of a peninsula where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding coastline. At 39m, it is also the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia.
Hamelin Bay
Hamelin Bay features an observation deck and a freshwater lake, making it a great spot for birdwatching. At the beach you can often see stingrays in the water right up to the shore.
Boranup Forest
This dense forest is home to century-old karri trees, one of the tallest flowering trees in the world. It is a popular place to get married!
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse marks the northern most point along the Cape to Cape. It offers extensive panoramic views of the ocean and is ideal for spotting seals and whales.
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