Maybe it’s because the first time I did it, it was winter; or, maybe I just love how the track feels both peaceful and wild during this time, but for me winter or makuru is a very special time on the Cape to Cape. Here are some winter scenes on the track from the last 4.5 years.
WILD COASTAL BEAUTY
Nowadays camping on the Cape to Cape track is supposed to only take place in designated spots. But when I first walked the Cape to Cape end to end in 2016, walkers were still able to camp anywhere on the track, as long as you were out of the way of vehicles. My first night, it was August, was on a sandy ledge protected between large boulders opposite Sugarloaf rock. Waking up to a chilly crisp morning, the ocean wildly spilling onto the rocky shore, it was magic. A bit like the image below.
Sugarloaf Rock Photo Paean Ng
A lot of people think that winter in the southwest is all grey clouds, wind and rain but believe it or not, below is a scene from a chilly winter morning just before walking across Smith’s Beach. Don’t you love the blues and the sparkling clear water against the mossy emerald rocks?
While the chance of rain is definitely higher, during Makuru, or the height of winter (June/July), there are some perfect walking days throughout the season.
Always check the weather for storms and dangerous weather, otherwise, gear up!
Smith’s Beach North - sparkling clean water.
Winter/ Makuru is rainbow season on the Cape to Cape
Wilyabrup and the Indian Ocean Photo: Donna Wolter
SAND
WIND
FUNGI
Winter is the time of mushrooms. I had never paid much attention to this kingdom until I walked through the glistening wet Boranup Forest. If you walk through this majestic realm of giant Karri trees in winter, with your eyes to the ground or to the fallen tree trunks, you are sure to see some of the hundreds of species of fungi that exist in the southwest. Click here for an article about southwest fungi and a simple 9 km loop through Boranup Forest, if you are keen.
If you are at all inclined to walk the Cape to Cape track end to end in winter: go for it!
Here I am about to start on the last section on the last morning of my first end to end. I had had a great sleep at Hamelin Bay Caravan Park, where you can have a hot shower and do a better job than I did getting the dirt out of your fingernails ;-) before heading out towards the Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Whether you are thinking of attempting to walk the whole 125 km of the track and camp along the way, or just wondering a casual meander for a day: rug up, put on some wet weather gear and get out there.
I think you’ll LOVE it!