Duration8 Days 7 Nights
Max Group Size12
Minimum Age15+
Fitness LevelAdvanced
MealsPartially includedi
Start & End LocationPerthiWhat's Included
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Get up to $90 cash back per person when you book with us
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An 8-day hiking tour along Margaret River's iconic Cape-to-Cape Track
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Take in epic views of the Margaret River coastline on a series of clifftop walks
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Explore diverse & beautiful landscapes on foot
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Spend each night in a comfortable bed for a good night's sleep
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The services to two expert leaders to join you each day of the walk
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All accommodation: Motel (7 Nights)
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Meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
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Transport: Walking, Private Vehicle
What to Expect
Hike the Margaret River coastline and surround yourself with some of Western Australia's best sights, from epic clifftop views to colourful wildflowers and dolphins leaping from the Indian Ocean. The Cape to Cape Track winds between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin on the traditional lands of the Wardandi peoples and is widely regarded as one of Australia's great walks.
Forget about the details and focus on the track ahead of you and the scenery around you while learning about the rich history and biodiversity of the region with two expert leaders by your side. From your base at a motel surrounded by Margaret River wine country, you'll fully immerse yourself in the diversity of this stunning region on foot.
Where we visit
Day 1: Perth to Cape to Cape Track – Cape Naturaliste to Yallingup
Your adventure begins in Perth (Boorloo in the language of the local Whadjuk Nyoongar people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which Perth is now located). Your day begins bright and early with pick up in Perth before driving to Cape Naturaliste.
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is the perfect spot to enjoy a tasty picnic lunch and get to know your group. After you've enjoyed the view, hit the trail for the first leg of the Cape to Cape Track.
With two expert guides leading the tour, you'll enjoy more safety on the track and more flexibility with pacing. You'll start easy, with plenty of time to enjoy the views across clifftops and beaches and listen to the crashing waves before your walk finishes in Yallingup.
Today's 14km walk from Cape Naturaliste includes Grade 2-3 (easy-moderate) sections, such as the accessible trail from the Lighthouse to Sugarloaf Rock, taking around 5 hours.
At the end of each day, you will drive to Margaret River, where you will spend the evening, then return to where you left off to continue your walk each morning.
Transport: Private vehicle, & walking with a total distance of 14 km
Accommodation: Motel
Day 2: Cape to Cape Track – Yallingup to Moses Rock
After a great night's sleep and hearty breakfast, you'll head back to Yallingup to take off from where you finished yesterday. Begin your walk in Yallingup, passing by giant red granite boulders, pristine white sand beaches and a colourful collection of wildflowers along the way.
Stop off at Injidup for lunch, a spot known for fantastic surf and a natural spa. After lunch, pay a visit to the beautiful Quinninup Falls, then continue to Moses Rock and enjoy the vast ocean views, rocky outcrops and tidal pools.
Today there are options for walks from 10km to 18km, including some soft beach sand sections, rocky stretches, and long stair climbs.
Transport: Private vehicle, & walking with a total distance of 10-18 km
Accommodation: Motel
Day 3: Cape to Cape Track – Moses Rock to Gracetown
After breakfast, you'll set out on a relatively easy walk today, with just a few hills and sandy patches to keep things exciting. You'll take in sweeping views across the coast from clifftop vantage points perfectly positioned along the walk.
Plus, discover the little-known granite cliffs of Willyabrup. Standing 40 metres high above the surging white-wash ocean below, the cliffs stand proudly with a red glow.
If the weather is nice, you might choose to cool off with a refreshing dip in the sheltered bay in Gracetown at the end of today's walk – the perfect way to end the day.
You'll walk around 16km today, climbing a few hills and crossing some sandy patches.
Transport: Private vehicle, & walking with a total distance of 16 km
Accommodation: Motel
Day 4: Cape to Cape Track – Gracetown to Margaret River
Today, embark on an easy walk among coastal heath to Ellensbrook historic homestead, a historic house nestled into a protected coastal site. Enjoy morning tea at this quaint spot and then hit the inland trail for the second leg of today's journey.
You're soon back on the coastline, and a pleasant walk along the beach transports you to Cape Mentelle, where today's walk comes to an end.
A great way to finish the day – you might like to take a dip at the Margaret River mouth to cool off and wind down before heading back to your accommodation.
There are options for walks from 12km to 20km today.
Transport: Private vehicle, & walking with a total distance of 12-20 km
Accommodation: Motel
Day 5: Cape to Cape Track – Margaret River to Boranup Forest
After you've tucked into a delicious breakfast prepared by your guides, you'll enjoy gentle terrain and varied views on today's walk. Then, head inland and stop by the Boodjidup Brook for a scenic morning tea before the trail heads back to the coast and travels across the beach.
Once you've worked up an appetite, enjoy a spot of lunch in Redgate, then continue across the stunning clifftops to Contos Campground for afternoon tea. Finally, hit the trail again for the last leg of the day through the beautiful and shady Boranup Karri Forest. As always, a warm shower and freshly cooked dinner await – the dream of every hiker!
Today you have the option of walking between 14km to 24km.
Transport: Private vehicle, & walking with a total distance of 14-24 km
Accommodation: Motel
Day 6: Cape to Cape Track – Boranup Forest to Cosy Corner
Soak up the silence on a morning walk through the karri forest and take in the scent of eucalyptus from the surrounding landscape. Today's trail will lead you to the white sands of Hamelin Bay, where the water is an unbelievably bright shade of blue – an excellent spot to enjoy a picnic lunch.
After lunch, you'll set off toward the Foul Bay Lighthouse. This hike is short yet challenging, but it'll all be worth it once you see the fantastic views along the coast. Today's walk will draw to a close in Cosy Corner.
There are options for walking 14km or 20km today, with 6km of the route being a challenging 6km beach stretch.
Transport: Private vehicle, & walking with a total distance of 14 km or 20 km
Accommodation: Motel
Day 7: Cape to Cape Track – Cosy Corner to Cape Leeuwin
Keep an eye out for blowholes as you walk along the limestone coastline and listen to the sea. After crossing a long stretch of beach, venture inland, then return to the coast and catch glimpses of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the finishing point of the Cape to Cape Track. This is the perfect location to take a moment and reflect on all you've accomplished in the past week.
Tonight, enjoy dinner with your group to celebrate the penultimate night of your trip and an excellent walking adventure.
Transport: Private vehicle, & walking with a total distance of 21 km
Accommodation: Motel
Day 8: Margaret River to Perth
After all that walking, you'll enjoy a well-deserved lie-in and a leisurely breakfast today. Then stroll into Margaret River to pick up lunch or some souvenirs to remember your adventure.
Afterwards, it's time to head back to where it all started and drive to Perth. You can expect to arrive around mid-afternoon, at which point your trip will end.
Transport: Private vehicle
Departure info
Tour departs from the meeting point at Perth Tourist Coach Stand, 490 Wellington Street, Perth.
Frequently Asked Questions
This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Good footwear, clothing for all types of weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.
There is no such thing as an 'easy day' on the Cape to Cape walk. There are a lot of ups and downs, often on soft sand, and there are several beach stretches. However, the walk has been designed to make it achievable to those with a reasonable amount of fitness because you only carry a daypack; you start with short distances, working your way up to longer days. You will be surprised just how your fitness improves over the seven days. Usually, by day four, people are striding out! A positive mental attitude is most important. If you focus on the scenery, the company and the moment, not on the kilometres, then you find yourself reaching your destination with little problem. If you have done some training before the walk, you will enjoy it all the more.
The best way to prepare physically for the trip is to walk, walk and walk some more – preferably in sand and over various terrain. Try to walk frequently. Even walking around your suburb will get you walk-fit. By the start of your Cape to Cape, you should be able to comfortably walk 15km and try and do a few 20km walks on rough tracks. The Operator knows that this type of preparation is difficult to fit into a busy schedule. If you don't have the time to do long walks, they recommend doing regular stair walking sessions. Walking small distances frequently helps a lot as well. For instance, walking 3–5km four times a week, and 8km once a week, is a great help. If you're doing short training sessions, make sure you get yourself puffed and sweaty. Otherwise, you won't benefit from your efforts. And start walking in the shoes you will wear on the walk now!
ESSENTIAL ITEMS:
- Day-pack - with a thick waist strap to help take some weight off your shoulders. In wet weather, a waterproof cover or a bin bag to wrap your belongings in can be handy
- Shorts/long pants and shirts for walking - as many sets as you wish! Quick-dry material is best, especially for trousers. Don't wear jeans walking.
- Socks - whichever thickness you're comfortable walking in and as many pairs as you like
- Boots/shoes for walking (make sure you wear them in well)
- Windcheater or lightweight jumper for walking
- Waterproof jacket*
- Sun protection - hat (secure fitting and/or with chin strap), sun cream, sunglasses
- Casual clothes for evenings
- Torch/headlamp (can be handy when twin sharing for getting up at night)
- Any preferred first aid supplies - such as your favourite blister treatment! (Your guide will carry a full first-aid kit)
- Water bottle/s or camelback – 2 to 3-litre capacity
- A lunch container (with freezer brick if desired)
- *You have to expect some bad weather at any time of the year down here, so bring wet weather gear even if the forecast is fine.
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
- Waterproof pants. Some people love them, and some hate them – it's up to you
- Fly net (especially for walks in warmer weather)
- Camera and charger/batteries
- Gaiters for snake bite protection are recommended unless you wear long pants and long socks. They're also good for keeping sand out of your shoes.
- Sock protectors (to keep sand out of your boots)
- Robust sandals for wading/beach sections
- Bathers and towel
- A small towel to carry during the day
- Snacks and alcohol – there will be time to purchase more during the week if needed. Some people like to have some muesli bars, nuts, lollies etc
- Walking poles
The Operator only runs tours of the Cape to Cape Track in Autumn and Spring, which is the best time of the year to be outdoors in Margaret River. It can get very hot in Margaret River in Summer (as the Cape to Cape is quite an exposed coastal track, anything over 24 degrees can be hard to walk in) and rainy and cold during winter. During the change of season, you will experience mild temperatures between 18 to 26 degrees during the day, dipping to lows of 9 to 13 degrees in the evenings. Expect bad weather any time of the year, so come prepared with wet-weather walking gear.
All meals are included apart from lunch on the last day of the tour. You will have a chance to wander into town on the morning of the last day to source a takeaway lunch option. Breakfast comprises cereal, fruit and toast. Lunch is sometimes prepared and brought to you on the track when The Operator can get vehicle access. On days you are walking in a remote section, guests will pack their lunch in the morning, which consists of cold meats and salad with sandwiches, rolls or wraps. Dinner is a 2-course meal, main and dessert. Each day on the track, you will enjoy the famous baked cakes/biscuits for morning tea, and fresh fruit is always available.
There is plenty of opportunities to purchase alcohol while on tour, as the shops are only a short stroll from your accommodation. Depending on what the group chooses, you might also enjoy a few of the local wineries and breweries on the way back to the accommodation each afternoon.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let The Operator know when you book; they are happy to adapt the tasty, nutritious meals to suit a variety of dietary needs.
Policies
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 20 March 2023 to 31 March 2024
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The minimum age for this trip is 15 years
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All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip
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Travel insurance is compulsory on all trips for those travelling internationally
If you cancel some or all portions of your booking the cancellation terms set out below will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation that you have sent to your relevant sales representative of the cancellation. If you cancel a trip:
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56 days or more prior to departure, The Operator will hold your deposit amount as a credit;
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between 31 and 55 days prior to departure, The Operator charges a cancellation fee of 30% of the total booking cost;
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between 30 and 15 days prior to departure, The Operator charges a cancellation fee of 60% of the total booking cost; or
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14 days or fewer prior to departure, The Operator charges a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking cost.
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