Pruning and maintenance on the Cape to Cape Track?
A passing squall unleashes a chilly downpour on us, and we take cover behind a stand of head-high scaevola that lines the Cape to Cape Track overlooking Conto Cliffs. It’s a blustery day. The south-westerly is in. Which is good news because the clouds and rain scud past before we’ve barely had time to break out the wet-weather jackets.
I’m among about a dozen staff from Cape to Cape Explorer Tours out on the track. And we don’t mind the cool temps because it’s our seasonal track pruning day. As custodians of the Cape to Cape Track between Bobs Hollow and Conto Campground, we’re armed with loppers, secateurs, pruning shears and rakes to trim back the vegetation that is starting to overgrow the track along our adopted section.
Cape to Cape Explorer Tours staff on the Track daily
Cape to Cape Explorer Tours is owned and operated by born-and-bred Margaret River ecotourism identify Gene Hardy. He’s held several executive positions with the Friends of the Cape to Cape Track (FOCCT). The company run self-guided hikes ranging from 1 to 7 days, as well as its signature 8-day end-to-end guided tour where hikers walk with a different guide each day, hearing about themes including geology, marine, flora, fauna, indigenous and European history.
Hikers carry just a day pack, and are ferried back to Cape to Cape Explorer Tour’s accommodation base at Surfpoint Resort each day for a good night’s sleep and a hot meal. We work hard to ensure people don’t just come for a “hiking holiday”. Instead, they form genuine connections with each other and with this magical part of the world. Hopefully, they leave with a better understanding of our natural world – and want to act to protect it.
Aside from adopting a section of the track, the team from Cape to Cape Explorer Tours do a lot to care for country as part of their work. They’re on the track every day through spring and autumn, picking up any litter, reporting any missing or damaged track signs, and assisting other hikers with info and advice where needed.
Hooded plover monitoring and controlling arum lilies
Several of the guides including Colin Fox and Murray Stevenson are qualified snake handlers, so can assist with moving reptiles off roads. Another guide, Cath Wood, went viral on social media recently for spending her day off digging up and removing a huge tangle of rope buried at Redgate Beach!
Meanwhile, guides report any sightings of endangered hooded plovers, as well as “hoodie” behaviour, nesting activities and sightings of chicks. Dedicated hoodie volunteer Andrew Green is also a guide at Cape to Cape Explorer Tours. And he leads the way with reporting all hoodie information to the data portal coordinated by DBCA, playing an important role in conserving the species. We even have two tagged birds – CC and ET – named in honour of Cape to Cape Explorer Tours! From the top of the cape down to Ellensbrook, Kilcarnup, Prevelly, Boodjidup, Redgate, Boranup and Deepdene beaches, the guides are ever-vigilant for hoodie activity. The great news is they’re walking the track every week, and accessing beaches where hoodie volunteers previously struggled to check regularly.
On the issue of arum lilies, guides and hikers pull off the seed heads of any arums they come across to stop birds spreading the seed. Cath and Andrew recently teamed up to spray arum lilies in hard-to-reach spots around Bobs Hollow. And Cath – who regularly guides the section through Boodjidup Brook – asks her group to pull up as many arum lily flowers as they can get their hands on, again helping to stop the spread of seed.
Next you’re hiking the entire 1000km Bibbulmun Track?
Cape to Cape Explorer Tours also participates in conservation activities like the Tangaroa Blue WA Beach Clean-up. And we’ve partnered with Nature Conservation Margaret River region to support their community planting and volunteer days. Plus, we’re a proud business sponsor of the conservation group. We also work closely with surf lifesaving authorities, other tourism businesses, Tourism Western Australia, FOCCT, Wadandi elders, and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
At the company’s accommodation hub at Surfpoint Resort, general manager Nic Chirico has worked hard to eliminate all toxic cleaning chemicals used on site. She’s replaced thirsty lawn with an impressive native garden teeming with wildlife. And she’s opened the property for the Open Nature Gardens Weekend, plus hosted many community events including FOCCT annual general meetings.
A real privilege to care for country
We reach Conto Road just as another squall arrives, and the team loads onto the bus satisfied with our pruning efforts. It’s a real privilege to work for a company that truly does care for country. And to work so many passionate and like-minded staff members – from the Cape to Cape Explorer Tours guides, drivers, executive, catering and Surfpoint Resort staff – who all feel blessed to live, work, play and care for Wadandi Boodja.
* Book your self-guided adventure on the Cape to Cape Track or walk with our expert guides on our 8-Day Guided End-to-End adventure. And we’ll see you on the Track soon!