Last year I had the pleasure of joining a few friends on the beautiful multi-day Cape to Cape Walk (C2C) in Western Australia.
Our goal was to experience the region during wildflower season, and boy, did the C2C deliver!
After traveling to Perth from interstate (most of us hail from Noosa, with one from Canberra), we piled into two rental cars and headed to Margaret River.
The journey was interrupted by a pit stop for a sunset dinner in Busselton.
It was overcast and windy on arrival, so we didn’t walk to the end of the lovely long jetty. However, we got lucky with a brief break in the clouds, giving us a moody sunset photo opportunity.
We started the walk in the north at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, hiking sections of the trail until we reached Cape Leeuwin in the south.
At Cape Naturaliste, we paused to watch whales from viewing platforms and were amazed by the number we spotted in such a short time. The choppy seas had them frolicking and sky-hopping, much to our delight.
The group of hikers, from left, Sandie, Corene, Tracey, Sally, Michelle and Kate with Deb taking the photo.
Following a path new Yallingup.
Our first day’s walk to Yallingup took longer than we had anticipated.
It was amusing to see the plethora of photos shared in our group chat at the end of the day.
We had to stipulate not to upload every photo of the flowers and seascapes we had taken.
As you can imagine, we covered every angle imaginable, with so many of us snapping away.
The Cape to Cape Walk is predominantly along the coast, with a few inland trails, but no matter where we walked, the views were breathtaking.
The paths were lined with the region’s wildflowers, and we were all mesmerised by the bright daisies and vibrant wild orchids.
Bird lovers will also appreciate the variety of robins, whistlers and honeyeaters, and we were entertained by birdsong the entire way.
We also spotted several lizards, heath monitors, kangaroos, and a few snakes.
Having done prior bush walks, we came prepared with snake bandages and various first-aid items in our backpacks. Fortunately, we never had to use any of our emergency supplies.
Some stretches of the C2C were a bit more challenging than others, so I wouldn’t recommend this hike to anyone who isn’t moderately fit or bush-savvy.
Wild seas crash onto rocks near Gracetown.
We scrambled over rocks and boulders, and climbed many stairs made of steel, stone, and rock.
The beach sand was also very soft, which wasn’t ideal for those with Achilles injuries or sore knees.
However, the key was to take it slowly and enjoy each step along the way.
Nature has an amazing way of distracting you — just when you started feeling tired and wanted to stop, a new plant species would appear, or a new landscape would unfold over the next rise to draw you in.
The beach sand was also very soft, which wasn’t ideal for those with Achilles injuries or sore knees.
However, the key was to take it slowly and enjoy each step along the way.
Nature has an amazing way of distracting you — just when you started feeling tired and wanted to stop, a new plant species would appear, or a new landscape would unfold over the next rise to draw you in.
Highlights for me included swimming with my friends after a long, hot beach walk in Gracetown, the stunning cliff walk at Hamelin Bay, and the crashing waves at Yallingup and Prevelly.
Finishing at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse was the perfect end to a fantastic experience.
Due to high tides and a couple of rainy days, we didn’t walk the full 135km of the C2C, and we all vowed to return to complete it in the future.
Our last two days were spent road tripping, caving, relaxing at local wineries, eating scrumptious food, visiting Fremantle and Rottnest Island (that’s a whole chapter in itself), and enjoying the botanical gardens in Perth.
I can honestly say there was never a dull moment. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Western Australia and left with full and happy hearts.
Photos Sandie Chandler and Getty Images
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