OurTripDreaming: Cape to Cape Track

Wednesday 12 August – 180932

Margaret River Crossing

This morning we had the alarm set for 5:15am, which was well before first light. We packed down and drove the van to where it would be stored while doing the Cape to Cape Track. South West Driving Services stored our car and van and transferred us from Augusta to Eagle Bay, where we continued the Meelup Trail. We left Augusta at 7am and arrived at Eagle Bay at 9:15am, having detoured to check out the Margaret River crossing and collect and drop off a group of day hikers. At the moment the Margaret River was waist to chest high.

Trails WA Cape to Cape Track Friends of the Cape to Cape Track Trails WA Meelup Trail South West Driving Services

The remainder of the Meelup Trail did not disappoint with spectacular coastal scenery and wildflowers beginning to bloom.

We took the longer route to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse via Shelley Cove Loop, Lighthouse Loop and the Whale Trail. We watched a whale offshore (not from the Whale Trail or Lookout) and watched a pod of dolphins from the Whale Lookout. On the Lighthouse Loop we saw hundreds of snails. We also saw a lot of birds and wildflowers.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Trails WA Shelley Cove Loop Trails WA Lighthouse Loop Trails WA Whale Trail

We arrived at the lighthouse about 1:30pm. The staff at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse allowed us into the lighthouse precinct to walk up to and touch the lighthouse to symbolise the start of our hike. It was very humid and as a result felt hot despite the mild temperature. We ate lunch and were on our way again about 2pm.

The Start

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

Cape to Cape Track Markers

The afternoon was gratefully cooler. The first section from the lighthouse is wheelchair suitable, and thus very easy walking. Walking on the cliff tops we had expected the rocky and lumpy outcrops but were surprised to find that the cliff top paths also had long sections of soft sand. I had misguidedly assumed the soft sand would only be on the beaches. There were several overgrown sections where we need to push through the shrubs, some tall enough that the pollen was at my nose level - great for hayfever! The coastal views and wildflowers were ample reward. As you can see from the photographs the weather was constantly changing from cloudy to sunny.