The Cape to Cape Track

In the far southwest corner of Western Australia, a broad peninsula projects into the Indian Ocean – ancient, wild and stunning.

Running north to south along its edge is the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park: the setting of the 124km Cape to Cape Track and backdrop to the Margaret River region.

“Explore the true nature of the Margaret River region”

About the Track

The Cape to Cape Track stretches between lighthouses at Cape Naturaliste in the north and Cape Leeuwin in the south, where the Indian meets the Southern Ocean.

It meanders through towering forests. Dreamy white-sand beaches. Six hundred million-year-old granite cliffs and marbles. And scenic coastal paths lined with the region’s iconic orchids and wildflowers. You’ll spy humpback whales leaping and surfers riding giant waves.

The Track is also home to an incredibly rich diversity of wildlife, with a fascinating indigenous and European history.

Location

A three-hour drive south of the Western Australian capital, Perth, lies the famous wine, food and surf region of Margaret River.

It’s renowned for stunning scenery, world-class beaches, gourmet food and fine wines.

And it’s also home of the Cape to Cape Track – one of the nation’s best the multi-day hiking trails through a recognised global biodiversity hotspot.

When to hike

Hikers visit year-round, but spring is one of the most popular seasons. From September-December, stunning wildflowers bloom and whales frolic at sea.

Autumn is also a magical time to hike. From March-May, sunny skies, light winds and beautiful mild temperatures make walking the Track a dream.

Tackling the Cape to Cape Track requires a moderate level of fitness.

Why Hike with us

The Track is free to access and open to everyone. It’s possible to hike the trail unassisted, camping at designated areas and carrying food, water and a tent. But the terrain includes soft sand sections and beach crossings, making this a difficult proposition.

With Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, experience the Track carrying just a day pack, with comfortable accommodation, catering, transfers and logistics taken care of. Choose from guided or self-guided experiences from 3 to 8 days. Or get a taste of the Track on a private day tour with our expert guides.

Fauna on the Track

Birdlife is plentiful thanks to the abundance of heathland and forest on the Track. Colourful residents include splendid and red-winged wrens, scarlet, white-breasted and yellow robins, golden whistlers, New Holland honeyeaters and spinebills. Spectacular birds of prey are often seen soaring over the cliffs while shore birds inhabit the rocks and beaches.

Numerous reptiles including colourful bobtail lizards and curious heath monitors can be seen, while mammals like the southern brown bandicoot, quenda, ring-tailed possums and western grey kangaroo also call the Track home.

Most of the 124km Track hugs the coastline, which is protected by the Ngari Capes Marine Park. It’s where pods of frolicking dolphins and majestic humpback and southern right whales can be spied. Oh, and don’t miss the friendly stingrays at Hamelin Bay!

Flora on the Track

One of the wonders of walking the Cape to Cape Track is the variety and diversity of vegetation, from coastal heathland and inland loops through woodland and forest. The region of Western Australia’s southwest including the Cape to Cape Track is recognised by Conservation International as one of less than 40 global biodiversity hotspots. To quality, one of the criteria is having at least 1500 endemic species found nowhere else on the planet. This region has more than 3500!

During spring the landscape erupts in a sea of colour, with carpets of wildflowers from yellow through to pink and purple. You’ll see pink pimelea, bright buttercups and shark’s tooth acacia, interspersed with woody species such as the Rottnest tea-tree, peppermint trees and groves of fruiting quandong.

The southern span of the Track is home to the stunning karri hardwoods in Boranup Forest – among the tallest flowering trees in the world. Don’t leave without hugging one! Many species of rare orchids can be found beneath the forest canopy, while other types grow among granite outcrops.

Flora on the Track

One of the wonders of walking the Cape to Cape Track is the variety and diversity of vegetation, from coastal heathland and inland loops through woodland and forest. The region of Western Australia’s southwest including the Cape to Cape Track is recognised by Conservation International as one of less than 40 global biodiversity hotspots. To quality, one of the criteria is having at least 1500 endemic species found nowhere else on the planet. This region has more than 3500!

During spring the landscape erupts in a sea of colour, with carpets of wildflowers from yellow through to pink and purple. You’ll see pink pimelea, bright buttercups and shark’s tooth acacia, interspersed with woody species such as the Rottnest tea-tree, peppermint trees and groves of fruiting quandong.

The southern span of the Track is home to the stunning karri hardwoods in Boranup Forest – among the tallest flowering trees in the world. Don’t leave without hugging one! Many species of rare orchids can be found beneath the forest canopy, while other types grow among granite outcrops.

Terrain on the Track

The Cape to Cape Track is an exhilarating trek open to anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. We’ve had clients from 12 to 87 hike with us! But it is also a challenging walk at times due to the diversity and nature of the terrain. The experience ranges from extended soft sand beach walks, through to steep (but short) climbs over loose limestone. It involves long, extended hikes that will challenge even the fittest in the group. As such, pre-trip preparation is strongly recommended to make the trip enjoyable and to reduce the risk of injury!

The distances you walk vary on which tour you choose from our range of guided, self-guided and day tours. Some are just a few hours long and designed for all levels of fitness. Others are 20-30km a day.

     Excellent  
     Based on 590 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Maureen W 
 08/05/2024
 
 
  An April hike.
The team provided great info, which made planning and preparation easier. We did the self guided and self catered option. At all times the team were available and happy to assist. The weather was unseasonably hot and dry. The tracks were dry sand, which made hiking more difficult. We had asked for options, to shorten the track a couple of kms and the team responded happily. The drivers were happy to answer any questions about the track, flora and fauna and were so enthusiastic. The accommodation was comfortable too. The track itself was amazing, the views stunning. Cape to Cape Explorer tours made our hike memorable and happy to recommend this tour group. Thank you.
  
 
       
   Nerine L 
 06/05/2024
 
 
  An immersive and worry free 8 days.
The communication, organisation, transport, accommodation and catering were faultless. I loved how passionate and knowledgeable all staff were.
  
 
       
   Naomi M 
 29/04/2024
 
 
  Doing the Cape to Cape Trail in WA with peace of mind and a team of incredible individuals
Wow! Where do I start?!? I don't typically write reviews but after our amazing experience with Cape to Cape Explorer Tours (CCET) I was compelled to share a positive review as a way to show our appreciation to Gene and his team of incredible individuals and to help inform others who are considering undertaking the Cape to Cape trail. CCET exceeded our expectations on many occasions and using their initials, I'll highlight what my mum and I really appreciated about the way they looked after us; Considerate - CCET thought of EVERTHING you need to have peace of mind while you trek the Cape to Cape trail. From detailed directions, logistics, fabulous accommodation to providing food that was delicious, nutritious and VERY satisfying. And when we threw an unintended curve ball into the mix, they were super solution orientated! Caring and Friendly - Everyone was so helpful and approachable. From before our tour started, through-out and beyond, they were proactive in making sure we were Ok and that our experience was positive. Enthusiastic about sharing what they know to help you understand the landscape, how to use the map app effectively, and learn about the popular and interesting local attractions. Terrific experience - combining all the above elements, mum and I had a Terrific experience exploring the beautiful Margaret River Region with Cape to Cape Explorer Tours. Whenever we had the opportunity out on the trail, we promptly sang high praises for CCET and will continue to recommend CCET to anyone considering doing the Cape to Cape Trail in WA with peace of mind.
  
 
       
   Jay W 
 28/04/2024
 
 
  Five stars from cape to cape to cape
Actually, we went in June of 2022 but neglected to post our review here until now. Cape-to-Cape was terrific. The guides were informative. The service superb. The food supplied each more than could be expected for hikes. The materials supplied were just right. We can't recommend them highly enough.
  
 
       
   Kath B 
 23/04/2024
 
 
  7 day guided
An amazing experience made even better by the guides and the resort staff. Every little thing was considered and every effort made to ensure we were comfortable. The track was beautiful and the guides knowledge of the local area was second to none.
  
 
       
   Rebecca S 
 22/04/2024
 
 
  Professional organisation with heart and soul..
Such a professional organisation with heart. I would totally recommend this company to care for your every need. All you have to do is turn up and walk and take in the beautiful scenery. Wonderful guides and accommodation. I cannot fault the whole experience they provide. . Thank you.
  
 
       
   Kendra F 
 05/04/2024
 
 
  Incredible experience!
I can't say enough good things about this organization! Our point person , Gene, was fantastic-- always quick to respond to questions or concerns. From the beginning of our bookings until the last day of departure, he took great care of us. The accommodations at Surfpoint are one of the nicest "backpackers" hotels at which I've stayed. Great shared kitchen and comfy beds. My friends and I completed a four day Cape highlights trek itinerary. The Cape is gorgeous this time of year with autumn colors and hospitable weather. Admittedly, my friends and I had some difficulty completing the day's planned hikes on time because we are slow and stopped to take photos ALOT. This was easily remedied on day three by shortening our daily km plan-- which Gene and his helpful staff members Sophie and Glen helped us to sort out. This allowed us to enjoy a morning hike whilst still having time in the afternoon to enjoy other "off track" Margaret River attractions. Finally, the staff at Cape to Cape are first class. Sophie and Glen are simply just lovely people who want to help you make your time truly enjoyable. They have a great deal of local knowledge and really seem to enjoy what they do! If you're thinking of doing the C2C, just go ahead and book the trip--now. You won't regret it.
  
 
       
   DuckWalker 
 30/03/2024
 
 
  An Amazing Adventure
What an absolutely amazing adventure. CCET definitely nailed all wants and needs on our group based guided tour. As a couple joining a tour of 11 we loved every minute from pickup in Perth to drop off. Our guides were knowledgeable, extremely helpful and fun. They obviously love what they do. The accommodation was great and, as an appreciator of food, I must send out a massive callout to the catering crew. The wonderful thing about this tour is it allowed us to simply walk and enjoy the beauty of the area. CCET took great care of the rest. RECOMMEND RECOMMEND RECOMMEND. Thanks CCET - Adrian and Shara.
  
 
       
   Kim A 
 30/03/2024
 
 
  Beautiful walk in a stunning part of the world
Our group of four did the self guided 4 day highlight tour. We did upgrade our accommodation in Smiths beach to the Smiths Beach Resort which was wonderful , so the accomodation in Margaret River was a little less impressive after that. The daily instructions and pick ups / drops offs went pretty smoothly for us. The lunches were great and the dinners proved were ok . We were happy that we had a car so we could go out and sample some great restaurants in the area. Dont be fooled by the kms. It is harder than it seems as one is walking on sandy track for a lot of the time of it so it seems a lot longer / harder. We all found it a bit challenging even though we could walk the same amount of kms easily on firm track . Having said that , it was terrific and I highly recommend doing it ! If you have any issues , the staff are incredibly responsive and helpful.
  
 
       
   Christine S 
 27/03/2024
 
 
  Fabulous experience 10/10
We did a self guided walk over 6 days, so pretty tough, both in distance and terrain, averaging 20 km per day. The scenery and beaches are serenely beautiful. It was my first time in WA and I'm already planning to come back with more friends. The Cape to Cape team are happy, professional and incredibly accommodating in any situation. I One member of our group couldn't physically do the entire days walking, so Gene personally rang her and worked out a way to enable her to join the group for part of the walk each day. The food each day was fresh, healthy and yummy ???? 10/10 The guys from Cape to Cape love what they do and have a genuine passion to make your experience on the walk 10/10. Special shout out to Colin (Foxy?) and Lester who shuttled us around each day and shared they're local knowledge of the area, with great pride!