Come for the ocean views, stay for the Aussie brews.
Western Australia is big . Compared to the US , it ’s about three and a one-half times the size of Texas . Known as WA , it ’s the magnanimous ofAustralia’ssix country , and it might also be the country ’s most underappreciated . Home to 7,000 miles of craggy drop-off and sandy beach , flowering eucalyptus tree wood , dateless opportunities for outdoor recreation , and thousands of plants and animals you ca n’t regain anywhere else , WA is the definition of agetaway — if you bask your solitude with a side of cordial towns that bed a good microbrew , wine , or gin .
If you were thinking , “ That ’s heavy , but WA is immense ; it ’s not like I can find all of these things in one position , ” you ’d be mistaken . For a sampler of everything that makes WA special , forefront to the southwesterly coast and the mantle to Cape Track .
This 75 - mile walking trail meanders along the Indian Ocean coastline between the lighthouse atCape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin , with a smattering of solid food and drink options along the way . You could dedicatedly stick to the path without straying , bycamping overnight and hike its entiretyin about seven days . Or you could hop on at a smorgasbord of memory access points , and hop off to explore nearby country and home parks . The latter pick countenance you to stay at swishy , fresh renovated hotel and sample farm - to - board culinary art , plus the area ’s colossal wine-coloured scene . Tuck in , mates . It ’s your reward for a trek well done .
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How wine inspired a good, long walk
The idea for a coastal hiking trail start in the 1970s , among a mathematical group of friends who on a regular basis walked the beach and scrubby trails along the WA seashore . When wine maker began open in the Margaret River region , almost utter center between the two cape about 10 mil inland , they had a brainstorm : why not produce a long - distance path where hikers could enjoy the surface area ’s many nutrient and potable pick , in addition to its abundant natural resourcefulness ?
They charted a single coastal trail through existing walking way of life , beaches , and sometime four - wheeler and fervor roads . In the later nineties , the nonprofitFriends of the Cape to Cape Trackhelped secure the Ulysses Grant ( used to fund Leeuwin - Naturaliste National Park ) needed to construct fresh linkage between the paths . The raceway was complete in 2001 .
The track is mostly temperate in trouble , although orbit along the beaches are easy to take the air , and several sections are gainsay . There ’s no fee to hike , unless you pick out a maneuver go with overnight camping . Reputable manipulator includeCape to Cape Explorer Tours , which boasts all - local guides , andAdventurous Women , a female person - possess and -operated fellowship .
Cape to Cape Explorer Tours
The track is open year - round . For the most comfortable temperature , go in the fountain ( September to November ) , when orbit and forests are a belly laugh of wildflowers , or fall ( March to May ) , which is mild and sunny . Winter , when daytime temperatures hover in the 50s and 60s , is still plenty comfortable — and you ’re more potential to have the track to yourself .
8 Epic Long Hikes Around the World
The average person walks 275,000 miles in a lifetime—might as well make some of those steps epic.
Venture to limestone caves and lighthouses
The southwestern niche of WA represent a broad peninsula that juts into the Indian Ocean . Thanks to its closing off , the landscape — hushed timberland , lofty granite and limestone cliffs , and coastal heathland — still feels ancient and wild .
The Cape to Cape Track runs through several noteworthy green quad . In the north , it winds through the integral distance ofLeeuwin - Naturaliste National Park . With 47,000 acres of raw beauty , limestone caves , a circa-1900 beacon overlooking Geographe Bay , and never - ending sea vistas , it ’s no marvel the common ’s Wardandi name , Kwirreejeenungup , translate to “ the place with the beautiful view . ”
A bit further south on the trail , Wooditjup National Park , in the Margaret River region , has excellent mountain biking trails , from tyro to throw out . If you take the river - hugging 10 Mile Brook Trail , along an older timber tramway , you could stop for a picnic lunch at the dam site .
At Cape Leeuwin , the most southwesterly point in mainlandAustralia , you ’ll come up anotherscenic lighthouse , fabricate in 1896 to prevent shipwrecks — of which there are 22 in the arena . This location is where the Amerindic and Pacific oceans run into , so the seas here are pretty torrential . Nearby , visit the cadaver of a wooden body of water wheel build to power a hydraulic ram that supply the beacon light and neighboring cottages . It ’s now frozen in time , and covered in a covering of limestone .
See bearded dragons, kangaroos, and whales
The aloofness of WA has made it one of the planet ’s 36 biodiversity hotspot , home to more than 2,000 endemic plant and animal metal money .
The region is place to plentiful species of parrot , including the purpleness - crowned lorikeet , whose DayGlo plume and rambunctious chattering make it promiscuous to spy in trees and shrubs . raptor like sea eagle and falcon frequent the coastal side of the Cape to Cape Track , and gay days bring out a range of monitor lizards , bearded dragons , and snakes . If you ’ve do for the marsupials , keep an middle out for cloistered southern brown bandicoot or westerly gray kangaroo rest in the shade .
On a clear-cut winter or spring day , it ’s common to see humpback and southern right whales eat and “ logging ” ( stay ) offshore . Dolphins , which frolic in fuel pod , are sluttish to blemish in any time of year . Hamelin Bay , about 15 sea mile north of Cape Leeuwin , is have it away for its “ friendly ” stingrays . Wade ankle - deep in the water , and three species of ray will glide close as they hunt for snacks in the Baroness Dudevant . They ’re harmless if you stand quietly , but they ’re calledstingraysfor a cause : When disturbed or threatened , they strike with their pungent , venomous arse .
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Gaze up at towering eucalyptus trees or down at orchids and colorful flowers
Depending on the time of yr , you ’ll see loads — if not C — of works and flowers . Along the lead ’s western slope , these let in the bright blue fan flower , pompom - headed pink pimelea , and wattles , which are fluffy , sun - imbue flowers whose seeds are a traditional food source for Aboriginal mass and are used on many restaurant menus .
The eastern side of the ridge near the coast is dominated by banksia species , with colourful nursing bottle - brush flowers . Their hardwood pods resemble big pinecones dotted with trivial clamshell or puckered lips .
The southern parcel of the track deny forests of karri , which are eucalypt tree that can grow up to 300 feet tall . Every seven to ten class , hundred of these tree diagram bloom and the canopy erupts in midget , firework - form white and icteric prime . to boot , wait closely under shrubs , and you ’ll sight a variety of aboriginal orchids .
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These Inclusive Outdoor Adventures Invite You to Hit the Trails
You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to get your nature fix.
Wander off-trail for snacks and beverages
You ’ll need a car to apprize the ripe of the solid food and drinkable tantrum in Western Australia . Plan to pass a twenty-four hours exploring thewine trails of Margaret River , Australia ’s premier grape - grow neighborhood , where you ’ll chance splendid Shiraz , Chardonnay , and Pinot Noir . A few standouts admit the unsophisticated - meets - modernVasse Felix , the founding winery of the Margaret River region ; constitutive , sustainableVoyager Estate ; andLeeuwin Estate , where you could crop the gallery of original recording label art , then sit down to a multicourse meal paired with the vinery ’s wines .
For an unforgettable sip - and - remain experience , account book a way atCape Lodgein Yallingup . situate in the Margaret River region , it has a secluded , mansion - in - the - Natalie Wood tactile sensation , and a restaurant that ’s the stuff and nonsense of fable . you could even set aside a secret cookery demo with Chef Tony Howell , who particularise in local , sustainable ingredients , particularly seafood .
Margaret River is also home toThe West Winds Distillers , one of Australia ’s top - rate distilleries . Gin is huge in WA , and that ’s exactly what you should try , whether in a cocktail or on its own .
The Margaret River Discovery Co - Wine & Adventure Tours
For brew buff , focus your hike on the northerly dowery of the track , then head about 23 miles east into Busselton . The new , industrial - chicShelter Brewing Companycrafts lagers , IPAs , and pallid ales , plus standout summer sour .
Where to stay along the Cape to Cape Track
The Cape to Cape Track has four public campsite , at Mt. Duckworth , Moses Rock , Ellensbrook , and Deepdene . All are gratis and first follow , first served , and they have basic amenities like lavatory , water , and tent site . Two extra campsites are useable for a modest fee along the lead segment that run through the Boranup Forest , just to the south of Margaret River .
If you prefer a seam , a brew , and a hardy meal at the last of your rise , the late renovatedSmiths Beach Resortoffers luxury beach houses and Doroteo Arango with gas open fireplace and open - conception living expanse and kitchen . The on - premise Lamont ’s Restaurant , hunt down by star chef Kate Lamont , is well worth the stop , even if you do n’t stay over .
About a Roman mile off the track near Injidup Point , Injidup Surf Shackis a private , unsophisticated delight , with eclectic décor , an outside rain shower , and a wide terrace with sea views .
Australia Is Finally Open to Tourists, and It’s Just as Gorgeous as Ever
Welcome back to Oz.
Voyager Estate
Smiths Beach Resort
