Cape to Cape - Part 1

Cape to Cape Part1 - Yallingup to Cape Leeuwin

 We have been looking at local walks while we are over here visiting the Kids, and the 123km walk along the Leeuwin-Naturalist Ridge between lighthouses in the south-west of Western Australia appealed, not all in one day of course! Lucky for us, it is right on Rochelle & Nick's doorstep, down Margaret River way, so we can work away on it where time and weather allow.

The start of the walk from Yallingup

We started off just out of Yallingup, this locality being on Rocky's way to work, so she could conviently drop us off. We thought we'd do the 14km section to the Leeuwin Lighthouse and Em kindly offered to pick us up, this end being a quick 10 min trip from home. 

The day wasn't brilliant with quite a strong onshore breeze and overcast - but pleasant walking conditions. The bushline varied over the trail from thicker (I wouldn't say dense) trees to low windswept shrubbery. Rocky's Daniel loves this coastline for surfing, as many others do. So there were a few surfers at different what seems isolated locations but actually aren't that far from a main road. Certainly not a strenuous walk, particularly the last part from Sugarloaf Rock to the lighthouse which is a 3.5km wheelchair accessible mainly board & asphalt walk. Very scenic though with the beautiful colours on this coastline.

The trail was mostly along the crumbly clifftops.

We had packed lunch as there are no cafe's along this section of the trail... even out at this end of the trail, Leeuwin lighthouse, there was no coffee to be had. The last barista had recently quit and they were unable to get a replacement! The same as in New Zealand, hospitality staff are in short supply and as there is such a demand for them, they are able to pick and choose far more than they were able, two years ago pre Covid. 

As the Lighthouse had a $15 fee to wander around the grounds and access the viewing platforms, we thought we would wait and do this another time along with a few short walks around the headland of the Cape Naturaliste Peninsula where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. Another day.

Didn't manage to spot any whales today

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Another stunning beach

Sugarloaf Rock

Bunbury a smallish city a little like Nelson

Just  Hanging in Bunbury.

The coast is exposed to the south west and as such this time of year brings cool changeable and often very squally conditions...thus our time here has been not weather optimal 😏😟

Having said that it has been pleasant enough, us making the most of the time we had.😃