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