# Best Walks in Margaret River | Cape to Cape Track & Coastal Walk Guide Canonical: https://bookfromowner.com.au/guides/wa/south-west/margaret-river/best-walks/ Type: AttractionGuide Location: Margaret River, Australia's South West, Western Australia Last updated: 2026-06-01 > The best walks in Margaret River — sections of the Cape-to-Cape Track, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouses, Boranup Karri Forest, the Meelup coastal walk, the Rivermouth trail and Ten Mile Brook Dam. Distances, difficulty, best-for and honest caveats. ## Quick Answer - Best for: Walkers, families, nature lovers & adventurers - Price range: Free – $20 (lighthouse tours) - Vibe: Coastal cliffs, karri forest, lighthouse headlands - Distance: 270km south of Perth ## Featured Properties - Margarets Beach Resort: 4.5/5 (689 reviews) Book direct: http://www.margaretsbeachresort.com.au/ Margarets Beach Resort — Margaret River - Margaret River Guest House: 4.9/5 (121 reviews) Book direct: http://www.margaretriverguesthouse.com.au/ Margaret River Guest House — Margaret River - RAC Margaret River Nature Park: 4.6/5 (335 reviews) Book direct: https://parksandresorts.rac.com.au/margaret-river/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp-margaret RAC Margaret River Nature Park — Margaret River ## FAQ Q: What is the best walk in Margaret River? A: For experienced walkers, the Gracetown to Cowaramup Bay section of the Cape-to-Cape Track is the best single day walk in the region — sea cliffs, limestone headlands, remote coves and coastal heath. For families and casual walkers, the Meelup Beach coastal loop near Dunsborough and the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse walk are excellent. The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse walk in Augusta is the most geographically significant — the meeting of two oceans — and suits everyone. Q: How difficult is the Cape-to-Cape Track? A: The full 135km Cape-to-Cape Track from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin is a multi-day walk requiring good fitness, navigation skills and proper gear. Day sections like Gracetown to Cowaramup Bay (~15km) are moderate to challenging — exposed coastal terrain, no on-track water sources, and significant sun exposure. The short walks at either lighthouse, the Meelup loop and the Rivermouth walk are easy and accessible to most fitness levels. Q: When is the best time to walk in Margaret River? A: Autumn (March to May) offers the best all-round walking conditions — comfortable temperatures, settled weather and clear skies. Spring (September to November) is best for wildflowers on the cape heath, one of the most impressive wildflower displays in Australia. August to December adds whale watching from Cape Naturaliste. Summer walking should be done early in the morning to avoid heat and direct sun exposure on the exposed cliffs. Q: Are there easy walks suitable for families and children? A: Yes — the Rivermouth walk from the Margaret River township is flat and easy with estuary wildlife, the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse loop has short accessible options from the car park, the Boranup Karri Forest tracks are flat and fascinating for children, and the Meelup Beach loop is manageable for older children who can handle a couple of hours of walking. The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse walk is an easy flat walk that suits everyone. Q: Can I walk with dogs in Margaret River? A: Dogs are restricted in National Park sections of the Cape-to-Cape Track and around most lighthouse areas, but are permitted on a lead in Meelup Regional Park (check beach sections) and on the Rivermouth walk. Always check current signs and park rules on arrival, as they can vary by section and change seasonally. The Rivermouth walk is generally the best in-town dog-walking option. Q: Where does the Cape-to-Cape Track start and finish? A: The Cape-to-Cape Track runs 135km from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse in the north (near Dunsborough) to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in the south (near Augusta). The best access points for day walks are the Gracetown trailhead (north section), Cape Naturaliste car park (northernmost day walk), and the Augusta end for the southern lighthouses. Full track maps and camping information are available from Parks and Wildlife WA. ## At a Glance - Major walk: Cape-to-Cape Track — 135km from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin - Best day section: Gracetown to Cowaramup Bay or Cape Naturaliste lighthouse loop - Easiest: Rivermouth walk (in town) and Meelup Beach loop — flat, family-friendly - Forest walk: Boranup Karri Forest — tall karri trees, a completely different landscape - Iconic landmarks: Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (Augusta) — where two oceans meet - Wildlife in season: Humpback whales Aug–Dec from Cape Naturaliste; wildflowers spring - What to bring: Grippy shoes, sun protection, water, a wind layer on the headlands - Maps: Cape-to-Cape Track maps from Parks and Wildlife WA or at local visitor centres ## Featured - 1. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Walk & Whale Lookout — Easy · 2–5km loops · Best whale watching on the cape - Why people love it: It's the free whale-watching platform that beats most whale-watching cruises — humpbacks in Geographe Bay from an elevated limestone headland, August to December, no boat required. - Don't miss: Humpback whales in Geographe Bay from the headland lookout, August to December. - Good to know: Wind is relentless on the exposed headland — bring a layer regardless of the forecast. The lighthouse tour has a fee; confirm current hours and tour availability before a special trip. Not suitable for walking with dogs on the National Park tracks — check current rules. - 2. Cape-to-Cape Track: Gracetown to Cowaramup Bay Section — Moderate · ~15km one-way · The best single day of the cape walk - Why people love it: It's the Cape-to-Cape at its most dramatic — sea cliffs, secret coves and coastal heath on a walk that most visitors to the region never attempt, and that rewards everyone who does. - Don't miss: The sea cliffs above Lefthanders and the remote coves accessible only on foot — southern ocean below, limestone above. - Good to know: This is a challenging day walk: 15km of exposed coastal terrain needs solid fitness, sun protection and 2–3 litres of water per person (no reliable on-track sources). Arrange car-shuttle logistics before you start. Avoid in the heat of summer — the exposed headlands are brutal above 30°C. - 3. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Walk (Augusta) — Easy · 1–2km · Where the two oceans meet - Why people love it: Standing at the meeting point of two oceans with the light working above you is the geography lesson you can actually feel — one of the few places in Australia that lives up to what a map describes. - Don't miss: Standing at the convergence of the Indian and Southern Oceans from the lighthouse tower, with the old waterwheel ruins below. - Good to know: The lighthouse tour has an entry fee (check current pricing); the walk itself is free. The site can be busy mid-morning on summer days — arrive early for fewer crowds. Augusta is 48km from Margaret River township, making it a half-day excursion rather than a quick stop. - 4. Meelup Beach Coastal Walk — Easy–moderate · ~6km loop · Family favourite - Why people love it: It's the walk that delivers everything — a sheltered turquoise bay for swimming, coastal cliffs for views, and wildflower heath in spring — without asking more than a couple of hours from any level of walker. - Don't miss: The turquoise Meelup Bay after the coastal loop — one of the most beautiful swimming spots in the South West. - Good to know: The beach car park fills on warm summer weekends — arrive early or mid-week. Dogs may be restricted on the beach section; check current Meelup Regional Park rules. The loop is moderate, not easy, so pack water and wear proper shoes. - 5. Boranup Karri Forest Walk — Easy · 1–4km · Tall karri forest — nothing else like it - Why people love it: It's the walk that recalibrates your sense of scale — karri trees 60–75 metres high in a forest that's completely silent except for the birds, and nowhere else in the region feels like this. - Don't miss: The karri trees — 60–75m tall, luminous trunks, a scale that recalibrates everything. - Good to know: Boranup is along Caves Road and worth combining with a cave tour or a Caves Road drive south — it's not worth the trip alone if you're time-limited. Insect repellent is advisable in spring and summer. The forest is active in the early morning; midday on hot days is less interesting. - 6. Margaret River Rivermouth Walk — Easy · flat · in-town river-to-coast walk - Why people love it: It's the walk that proves Margaret River's appeal isn't only about driving somewhere — the estuary, the black swans, and a surf beach at the end of an easy stroll from the main street. - Don't miss: Black swans on the estuary and dolphins at Surfers Point on an early-morning walk from town. - Good to know: This is a pleasant town walk rather than a dramatic coastal experience — manage expectations and use it as an orientation or morning walk rather than a substitute for the Cape-to-Cape sections. The surf at Surfers Point is for experienced surfers only; swim at patrolled beaches. ## What travellers say - [positive] What a recent visitor said: - [positive] What a recent visitor said: - [positive] What a recent visitor said: