A network of walk trails weaves through the coastal bushland of Cape Naturaliste, offering sweeping views of the ocean, glimpses of the historic lighthouse, and the chance to spot the local wildlife.
It’s part of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, along which you can explore extraordinary and diverse landscapes of towering forests, limestone cliffs, and remote coastal outcrops. Cape Naturaliste is the northern trailhead of the famous Cape to Cape Track, spanning 123 kilometres to the southern trailhead at Cape Leeuwin.
Photo: Tim Campbell
This trail takes you along a section of the Cape to Cape Track. It follows a smooth, accessible path to the spectacular Sugarloaf Rock.
Sugarloaf is a towering granite formation that has stood firm against the wild coastal elements for more than 500 million years. It’s a stunning spot to watch the sunset over the ocean, and the wide, well-maintained path makes it ideal for wheelchairs, prams, and families with young children. See more: Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock, Leeuwin Naturaliste – Trails WA
Whale breaching as it passes by the Cape. Image: Tim Campbell
The trail to Whale Lookout is the shortest and most popular route. It offers a great vantage point to witness magnificent whales between September and November.
During their annual migration, up to 40,000 humpback and southern right whales pass by the coast to calve and nurse their young in the warmer tropical waters to the north of Western Australia.
On their return to Antarctica, they travel close to shore, hugging the sheltered waters around the cape, offering a chance to catch a glimpse from land. See more: Whale Lookout Walk Trail, Leeuwin, Naturaliste – Trails WA
Photo: Tim Campbell
The Shelley Cove Loop is a moderate trail that explores the eastern side of the Cape, offering views over the calm, turquoise waters of Bunker Bay.
The walk leads through coastal heath and low forest, with wildflowers in bloom during spring. With some luck, you may spot some of the plentiful birdlife along the way.
You can take an optional detour down to Shelly Cove, a superb little pebbly beach nestled between limestone cliffs. It’s a great spot to pause and soak in the serenity before rejoining the loop, providing a relaxing break during your hike. See more: Shelley Cove Loop, Leeuwin Naturaliste – Trails WA
Photo: Tim Campbell
This stunning loop follows the cliffs along the western side of the Cape, offering expansive views of the ocean.
The trail leads to a lookout above a natural blowhole, known as “The Other Side of the Moon”, where waves thunder against the rocks below.
Keep an eye out for sea eagles soaring overhead and kangaroos moving quietly through the heath. See more: Cape Naturaliste Track, Cape Naturaliste, South West – Trails WA
Climbing the lighthouse on a guided tour gives you a complete 360-degree perspective of Geographe Bay, the Indian Ocean, and the sweeping ridge of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste landscape.
It’s the perfect complement to the trails below, adding history and scale to an already unforgettable coastal experience.
Whether you’re walking, whale watching, or taking in the view from the top of the lighthouse, Cape Naturaliste has something to offer year-round.
