The Cape to Cape Track is stunning at any time of the year, different seasons bring variations in Flora flowering, fauna spotted – both trestrial and aquatic, rainfall amounts and daytime temperatures.
It is no secret that late Autumn can be one of the very best times to visit the Cape to Cape Track. This year, like most, the first few early winter fronts clipped the coast in late April, bringing high winds and rainfall to the coast. However after this large high pressure systems seemed to settle in the ‘Bight’ one after another for most of early to mid May – leading to what we know as an Indian Summer!
Five walker from various parts of Australia joined the Cape to Cape Track specialists, Cape to Cape Explorer Tours, on an end-to-end Cape to Cape Track experience not to forget!
In this seven day photo blog we will present the highlights of this journey, from the granite outcrops of the norther sections, to the tower karri forests of Boranup and beyond….Enjoy!
Day 1:
“Starting the walk up at Cape Naturaliste is always an amazing feeling’, Says Senior Cape to Cape Explorer Tours Guide Gene Hardy. “The Cape really feels like the end of the earth, the way the ridge rises all the way up to the lighthouse and then just drops into the azure waters of Geographe Bay.”
“There is also always a full buzz of excitement in the group, walkers make little last minute tweaks to their equipment, pose for a couple of photos and then they are ready…let’s go!”
Leaving the Cape behind, the Track winds down approximately 3kms of access for all pathway. This sealed path was only recently completed and gives those in wheel chairs, prams etc. the chance to experience some authentic Cape to Cape Track magic.
The ‘Other side of the Moon’ and ‘Windmills’ surf breaks are located in the vicinity here and break close to the enormous ancient granite outcrops that occur on this stretch. The quality of the path construction here is impressive, with stainless steel and jarrah boardwalks combining to make some great lookout points – especially at Sugarloaf Rocks and Wilanup.
After the Granite dominated landscape around the Cape, the ‘Three Bears’ stretch is the complete opposite, with limestone cliffs and fossils dominating the geology.
‘Three Bears’ itself is a series of world class reef surfing breaks that form over flat ‘wave cut platforms’ have been carved out of the nearby towering limestone ridge.
The first wave is called Baby Bears, followed slightly further south by Mamma Bear and furthest south again is the biggest bear of them all, you guessed it – Papa Bear!
“Three Bears is a classic spot”, says Gene. “It has a beautiful white sand beach and nothing beats taking the shoes off, pulling out a sandwich and revelling in a little piece of Cape to Cape serenity!”
After ‘Three Bears’ the Track weaves and ducks along a stunning limstone coast, with views all the way out to Injidup Point, some 10kms away. With the bulk of the walking completed for the day the team decide that it is the perfect day to partake in a quiet dip at the beautiful Yallingup Lagoon. With the south bound Leeuwin Current flowing strongest in Autumn, the water is a very pleasant 22 degrees plus, but that is not all that Yallingup has going for it;
‘Walker’s really are spoilt at the Lagoon’, says Gene. “It has change rooms at the top and freshwater showers and feet washing facilities at the base of the beach.”
“Often I will pack a face mask, as it is a great spot for a snorkelling encounter with an array of fish, including tommy rough, sand and king george whiting, silver bream, Australian salmon and red-lipped morwongs.”
After the Lagoon it is just another 3kms or so to the end of the days walking at Smiths Beach and a very well earned fantastic coffee at Lamont’s Cafe, located at the Smiths Beach Resort.
Join us again soon for Day 2 of the May walk with Cape to Cape Explorer Tours and experience the highlights of Wyadup, Injidup Beach, Quininup and Moses Rock!