Auswalk Cape to Cape Highlights
• An expeditionary hike on Australia's longest coastal track
• Cape Leeuwin in the south and Cape Naturaliste in the north
• Spectacular coastline with rocky coves and idyllic bays
• Hike through unique towering karri forests
• Mass wildflower displays in springtime

6 Day Trip - Itinerary Guide
Day 1: Starts in downtown Perth at 9.00am. We will stop for lunch at Margaret River before continuing southwards towards Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. After a tour of the lighthouse, we will do the first short section of the Cape to Cape track from the petrified waterwheel to Skippy Rock (4 kilometres, approximately 1½ hours, plus walking at the lighthouse complex). Accommodation: Augusta.

Day 2: A full day’s walk today, commencing along the top of Augusta Cliffs. This is followed by the long Deepdene Beach, where the sand is usually firm and flat. One of the highlights today is Cape Hamelin, where there is a small beautiful bay surrounded by granite boulders (18 kilometres, approximately 6-7 hours – a mix of beaches, interesting rocky platforms, quiet vehicle tracks and elevated walking tracks). Accommodation: Augusta.

Day 3: Today’s walking is along a fairly remote stretch of coastline. About 6 kilometres is along Boranup Beach, which is usually delightfully firm, but be prepared for a slog if it happens to be soft after stormy weather. Sometimes, 4wd vehicles also use this beach for access to favourite fishing sites. The remainder is easy walking through coastal heathlands, eucalyptus and peppermint woodlands. There is also a section with masses of grass trees (about 20 kilometres, approximately 7 hours – some sandy beach, mostly walking tracks). Accommodation: Margaret’s Beach.

Day 4: After breakfast at a cute beachside cafe, it’s back onto more spectacular coastline, including a remarkable grotto and natural spring at Bob’s Hollow (about 16½ kilometres, approximately 6 hours – about half the walk is through inland forest, followed by mainly an undulating walking track through coastal heathlands). Accommodation: Margaret’s Beach.

Day 5: Once again, a mix of walking along the coast and through inland forest. An interesting section today is the walk beside Boodjidup Brook, a meandering stream connecting Devil Pool with the ocean. Today’s walk also crosses the mouth of Margaret River. Mostly this can be crossed on a sandbar, but if it is flowing hard there is a fabulous canoe crossing option. There is also a delightful cafe here, with great coffee and fine views up the coast (about 23½ kilometres, approximately 7-7½ hours – mostly on tracks with a short section of sandy beach. Accommodation: Margaret’s Beach.

Day 6: The walk continues past Ellensbrook Homestead, a National Trust property where the original owners also built an operational waterwheel. Limestone is plentiful in the area, and today you will see Meekadarabee Falls disappearing into a cave. There is also another coffee opportunity at Gracetown, a small settlement overlooking Cowaramup Bay. North Point is an area of attractive lichen-covered granite, where there are pink fairy orchids in spring and a lovely stream during wetter times of the year (about 17½ kilometres, approximately 7 hours – about 5 kilometres soft sand, plus a variety of tracks for the remainder of the day). Accommodation: Smith’s Beach.

Day 7: Willyabrup cliffs are popular with rock climbers, and these are the walk starting point. Exciting walking today. Even though there are more soft sand beaches, there are also granite outcrops and two superb capes at Cape Clairault and Canal Rocks. The beach names along here indicate its popularity with surfers – The Window, Wildcat and Honeycombs (about 19½ kilometres, approximately 7 hours – sea views, stony sections of track, mostly wanders through low vegetation set back from the ocean edge). Accommodation: Smiths Beach.

Day 8: This is the final section of the track. Walk from Canal Rocks Road to Cape Naturaliste, then to Bunker Bay for the night. You will pass Sugarloaf Rock, summer home to red-tailed tropic birds. Much of the coast here is limestone cliff, with short beaches and low rocky areas. Along the way there are striking views of Sugarloaf Rock (about 19 kilometres, approximately 7 hours – beaches are mostly firm sand, sections of soft sand inland, some sections of stony track, a couple of rocky headlands to go over). Accommodation: Smith’s Beach.

Day 9: After breakfast, we will travel back to Perth, with an arrival time of around 1.00pm.

How hard is the walking?
You should be in reasonable shape, but there’s certainly no need to be a triathlete. On some days we will do a full day walk and on other days there may be several shorter walks. Our full day walks generally involve 5-7 hours on the track at a moderate pace, though this might be broken into two or three separate sections.

Specifics: The walking is mostly moderate with some long days of up to 24 kilometres. Mostly coastal tracks with some bushland and some sections of sandy beach. Two guides allows you to walk the entire track or shorten the distances covered each day. So, most people should find options that suit their fitness level.

Accommodation: The first two nights are at a comfortable motel in the small town of Augusta. The next three nights are staying at a seaside resort at Margarets Beach. The accommodation here is in modern self-contained villas close to the beach. The final two nights are at lovely self-contained villas at Smiths Beach. Each features a verandah with ocean views.

What’s Included
8 nights accommodation, most meals (8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners), 2 guides, all transport from Perth CBD, lighthouse tour, National Park fess, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, notes and maps.

Meals: Quality dining is an important aspect of all Auswalk walking holidays. Meals will vary a lot, but they will be plentiful, nutritious and wholesome. Each day starts with a hearty breakfast, sometimes cooked, sometimes continental. On some days you will need to carry lunch on the walk, packed in an Auswalk insulated carrier bag, which we supply, to keep it fresh and cool. Dinners are provided on 6 nights and will consist of limited choice 2 course meals or buffets. When meals are not included there will be plenty of places nearby for you to dine at.

What’s not Included
Travel insurance, alcohol, meals not specified and drinks with meals (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

2012 Departure Date
9 Day Guided Walk - departs 15 September, 2012

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