WESTERN AUSTRALIA : DAY 5 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Hamelin Bay - Cape Leeuwin - 25.5 km

DAY 5 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Hamelin Bay - Cape Leeuwin - 25.5 km - 9 hours

Mild day with afternoon showers

 

 

The last stage today from Hamelin Bay to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in Augusta (where the Indian Ocean and the Southern Oceans meet)

 

 

Hamish, our trusty driver, who proved a fund of information during the week.

 

 

A beautiful morning - a short section on the beach and then on to a path with views of Foul Bay

 

 

Discovery of new plants

 

 

The first views of Cosy Corner Bay

 

 

Limestone platform

 

 

Surprise, surprise - blow holes!

Vertical  pipes through the rocks open to the sea below.

 

 

A storm approaches

 

 

Negotiating the soft sand on Deepdene Beach

 

 

Sections of the beach washed away in the winter storms

 

 

Granite headland

 

 

More sand dunes as we head south towards Cape Leeuwin

 

 

Ascending the path to the Augusta Cliffs...surely we must be nearly there!

 

 

At last a view of the lighthouse - still two and a half hours until we reach our destination.

 

 

Sunset and we begin to panic!

 

-

 

Armed with torches and no idea where the track was, we arrive at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse at 6.15 pm - totally disoriented and exhausted - but very relieved.

 

 

We were pleased with our endurance but found the last day very gruelling with long distances on the soft sand and winding through dense,  head-high scrub in the failing light.

 

 

M&M

 

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au

 

 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA :DAY 4 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Contos Campground - Hamelin Bay - 22 km

DAY 4 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Contos Campground - Hamelin Bay - 22 km - 6 hours

Overcast and mild, 16o C

 

 

Merribrook's lodge - breakfast by the fire

 

 

 Family of kookaburras at Merribrook

 

 

The blue line is the Cape to Cape track.

The track was neatly divided into karri forest and beach sections today.

 

 

Once we found the correct path (fabulous navigators we are (not)!) we descended into the forest.

 

 

Grasstrees lined much of the path

 

 

Majestic karri forest

 

 

Clear, well-marked paths

 

 

Over the sand dunes to Boranup Beach

 

 

 

Native rock parrot

 

 

A kelp gull

 

 

Marine still life - artistic, huh?

Huge cuttlefish aplenty strewn along the sands.

 

 

Walking on 4WD tracks to avoid soft sand.

Essential to carry water - none on route.

  

 

Warning signs at every turn.

Dangers : rips, slippery rocks, collapsing sand dunes, fragile limestone cliffs, high tides, hidden reefs

 

 

The welcome sight of the Hamelin Bay boat ramp

 

 

 

M&M

 

 

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au 

 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA : DAY 3 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Gracetown - Margaret River - 22.5 km

DAY 3 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Gracetown - Margaret River - 19 km - 6 hours

Mainly fine with intermittent showers. 17o C

 

Surfers out aplenty in the large swell at Gracetown. 

 

 

Seas being whipped up by the wind 

 

 

Evidence of the 2011 bushfire along the track

 

 

Attractive dune plants with a view of the long beach walk ahead

 

 

The Ellensbrook Homestead was owned and built by the pioneer Alfred Bussell , who first settled at Ellensbrook in 1857 to set up a family beef and dairy farm. He named the area after his wife, Ellen and the stream that ran through the property. Between 1899-1917, Alfred's sister,Edith, established an Aboriginal Mission on the property, the "Ellensbrook Farm Home for Aboriginal Children". Nyungar people were able to work on the property in return for food and shelter. 

 

 

The boardwalk between Ellensbrook Homestead and Meekadarbee Cave.

 

 

The cave at Meekadarbee Falls. In Aboriginal legend, the cave is where the spirits of Aboriginal lovers, Mitanne & Nobel live.

 

 

Another 4WD track to test endurance and leg power.

 

 

The limestone formation of 'Joey's Nose' on Kilcarnup Beach.

 

 

Lots of flotsam and jetsam on the beaches from the various craft sailing on the Indian Ocean.

 

 

Large shells

 

 

Busy oyster catchers

 

 

Up from Kilcarnup Beach through a gnarled forest - another good place to get lost and add a few extra kilometres before finding the correct path to Cape Mentelle.

 

 

Our destination was Margaret River mouth. An unexpected swamping by a large wave at the river mouth was a spectacular (and sobering) end to the day. 

 

 

M&M

 

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au

 

WESTERN AUSTRALA : DAY 2 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Wyadup Road - Gracetown - 26 km - 8 hours

DAY 2 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Wyadup Road - Gracetown - 26 km - 8 hours

Heavy rain  overnight which continued throughout the day.

Our destination was Gracetown today.

Storm clouds, rougher seas and continuing on the earthen track though scrub.

Granite outcrops

Stairway south of Biljedup Brook

Relief to discover the correct path.

Just before this we were lost in sand dunes in pelting rain but were rescued by a

fellow bush bashing in his 4WD checking fire trails. For a fleeting moment I thought we might ask him to drive us to our car... but bravado prevailed.

Crossing one of the river mouths. At first glance an easy exercise but rogue waves thwarted us.

8 hours walking in the rain and we arrived in the sleepy seaside hollow of Gracetown to climb around the granite point as light was fading.

M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au



 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA : DAY 1 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Cape Naturaliste - Wyadup Road - 20.5 km

DAY 1 : CAPE TO CAPE WALK - Cape Naturaliste- Wyadup Road - 20.5 km - 5 and a half hours
Weather : fine and sparkling, 18o C, with threatening cloud in the afternoon.

 

Day 1

 

We planned to walk from Cape Naturalist to Wyadup Road.

 

 

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

The official start of the walk

 

 

Waymarkers

 

 

Well- made track and boardwalk to tempt you down the coast.

It is even suggested that it's suitable for wheelchair access..

not sure what happens when they reach the end of this section at the top of the cliff!

 

 

Colourful wildflowers attract birds and insects.

Little wrens dart in and out of the scrub.

 

 

Rocky outcrops - a nightmare for navigation

We spotted a pod of dolphins and a distant spout of water from a passing whale.

 

 

Mark had promised that there was no chance of snakes.

We both encountered 30 cm pythons slithering across this section.

Fortunately harmless but added a little excitement to the day.

 

 

Surfers out at every opportunity.

Several surfers taken by sharks in this area in the last few years.

We passed through Yalllingup - place of love - celebrated as the home of

WA surfing, begun in 1950s.

 

 

Spikey limestone formations

 

 

Walking along Smiths Beach

 

 

Limestone and granite sections meet

 

 

Some interesting characters along the way

 

 

Spectacular granite boulders at the end of Smiths Beach.

 

 

All in all, a positive start with pleasant walking weather and a good introduction to the beautiful Western Australian coast and wildlife.

 

 

M&M

 

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au