Hiking group Off The Beaten Track WA have just completed two epic days on the Cape to Cape Track – and they loved every minute of it.
The group did two back-to-back day hikes, choosing some of the most unique and varied sections of the Margaret River region’s 135km, premier long-distance walking track.
Here’s some of the highlights as told by Tracy Lindsey. She’s the founder of Off The Beaten Track WA and she led the expedition with the support and logistics of Cape To Cape Explorer Tours.
“What a weekend!” says Tracy. “Thirty kilometres of the best that the Cape to Cape Track has to offer. And better yet we had the privilege of exploring it with an awesome bunch of people.
Margaret River
Epic Ellenbrook
“Blue skies and sunshine greeted us for day 1, starting from Ellensbrook on Saturday morning. After checking out the Ellensbrook Homestead we made our way past tranquil cascades to the very special and unique Meekadarbee Grotto. After admiring its beauty we carried on along the trail through peppermint tree, past acacia wattle and an abundance of lilies until we reach our turn off. The scenery immediately changed. We headed towards the coast along a narrow, windy and undulating trail surrounded by coastal heathlands. A series of switchbacks steered our happy hikers down to the picturesque Kilcarnup Beach and Joey’s Nose. This beach section is one of my favourites, with plenty of rocks to explore and coastline to admire!
Margaret River
Horseshoe Bay beauty
“As you stand on top of the limestone cliff you are surrounded by a cove of stunning coastal cliffs, you can see and hear the waves crashing around the reef and a small secluded beach down below. It is truly magnificent! Carrying on, we soon reached the Margaret River mouth crossing. Andrew from Cape To Cape Explorer Tours was ready waiting to canoe us across. What a way to end a spectacular day!
Margaret River
Rain at Redgate
“Heavy winds, sideways rain and grey skies was the outlook for Sunday. But our happy hikers were in high spirits as we departed Redgate Beach headed for the Boranup Forest. We enjoyed the sand between our toes as we crossed the Calgardup Brook and made our way to the southern end of the beach. After drying our feet off, we popped the hiking boots on and headed up along the trail and into the melaleuca trees. After navigating our way through some 4WD tracks we reached the top of the coastal cliffs and paused to take in the magnificent view back to Redgate. What makes the Cape to Cape so extraordinary is the varied terrain and elements such as the chain handrail!
Margaret River
Clifftop views at Contos
Bobs Hollow provided a timely sanctuary from the rain. But before long we found ourselves on the top of Contos Cliffs discovering the natural beauty of this amazing coastline. The wind was so strong it pushed us off balance a few times but these atmospheric conditions ‘made it an awesome adventure’, said one of our happy hikers! The rain stopped as we arrived at Contos campsite. Perfect timing for lunch! Margaret River Movable Feast provided us with our delicious nutritious trail lunches each day and they were truly superb! After recharging our energy we made our way into the Boranup Forest for our last 5 kms of this amazing day.
Margaret River
Towering trees
“As we entered the forest, clematis and lilies lined the trail and provided a welcoming archway to the towering karri trees. The forest looked alive, lush and colourful with an abundance of wildflowers dotted throughout the forest understory.
Arriving at the finish mark was a momentous occasion for our happy hikers, albeit bittersweet. We had just experienced our favourite trail with a marvellous bunch of people, in such varied conditions. We had seen gorgeous scenery. Laughed. Explored. And connected with each other.
Although the hike was over, we know the friendships formed on this weekender are only just beginning. Thank you to our awesome adventurers for joining us on Off The Beaten Track WA’s first Cape to Cape Highlights Weekender!”
Margaret River
Click HERE for details of OTBT’s next Cape to Cape Highlights Weekender, or see Cape To Cape Explorer Tours for all our guided and self-guided hiking options on the Cape to Cape Track.
