Cape To Cape Track - Trekking - Adventure Tourism

CAPE TO CAPE TRACK - AUSTRALIA

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
caves, vineyards and other features and attractions of the "South West Capes -
Margaret River Region".

The original Aboriginal 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 (DCE) for a project to develop the
dedicated walk-track. The Track was officially opened in April 2001 and is managed
by the DCE.

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. It 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 some 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.

There are four low-key campsites 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.

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, and
summer streams which generally dry up should not be relied on.

In summer, walkers should carry a minimum of 3 litres of water for a day's walking,
and more if camping.


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