Improvements will include track surface and infrastructure repairs, improved and added drainage systems, rehabilitation of eroded areas and minor realignments. These works will be prioritised based on visitor usage, visitor safety, and environmental and cultural heritage considerations. The aim is to enhance the overall track experience and ensure long-term sustainability. 

Key sections
The most used sections of track include Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock, Smiths Beach to Injidup Beach, Moses Rock to Quininup Falls and Redgate to Conto Campground and are included as part of the upgrades.

Cape to Cape Track gathering areas

• New exposed aggregate concrete gathering areas will be constructed at both the northern and southern ends of the Cape to Cape Track, featuring seating designed to accommodate hikers’ packs and larger groups.
• These upgrades will also enhance visitor flow into the lighthouse entrances and include the restoration of accessible parking bays for lighthouse visitors and those walking the Class 1 section of the Track between Cape Naturaliste and Sugarloaf Rock.

New signage and wayfinding
Upgrades will include new signage throughout the park with clearer wayfinding to attractions. Improvements will also be made to walk trailheads and trail marking in Yallingup, Cape Naturaliste and along the Cape to Cape Track. 

Cape to Cape Track major trailheads 
The signage at the northern and southern end of Cape to Cape Track will be replaced with a modern, eye-catching design, with improved information and an engaging photo opportunity for hikers. 

Digital visitor guide 
A new digital park visitor guide will be made available for download from Explore Parks WA, providing easy access to essential information for planning your visit.

Interactive information hubs
The Margaret River Visitor Centre and four of the caves including Ngilgi, Mammoth, Lake and Jewel will be fitted with a digital national park information hub. These interactive screens will provide visitors with information on the national park, things to see and do and interpretive information on the natural values.

Rabbit Hill upgrade

• Construction of a new lookout, seating and access pathways at popular surf lookout and beach access point Rabbit Hill, north of Yallingup, was completed in July 2024. The new infrastructure was purposefully designed to provide open views to the coast, accessible facilities and complement the surrounding coastal setting.
• A new and expanded carpark and two-way access road was completed in December 2024. Parking capacity has significantly increased from 25 to 76 bays and is now accessed via a sealed, two-way road with improved drainage.
• The accessible pathway to the new lookouts now extends all the way to the carpark.
• Aboriginal heritage and flora and fauna surveys were undertaken to ensure no adverse environmental or cultural impacts occurred during construction activities. Protection of the natural environment was of paramount importance with the work carefully planned to minimise disturbance to melaleuca trees on site.

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Rabbit Hill carpark upgrades. Photo DBCA

Conto Road 

• During October 2024, works were completed on Conto Road to improve access to Conto Campground. This work included road sealing, kerbing and drainage.  

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Track upgrades

• The sealed section of the Cape to Cape Track between Cape Naturaliste and Sugarloaf Rock has works completed including crack seal and edge repairs, restoration of bench seats, vegetation cleared to improve the access corridor and drainage works.
• Track surface improvements and erosion control including improved drainage, construction of timber beam steps, limestone overlay, and installation of coir materials has been completed between Smiths Beach and Wyadup, at Moses Rock, and between Redgate beach and Conto Road.

Rock steps have been constructed between Smiths Beach and Injidup, at Moses Rock, Gracetown, and between Redgate beach and Conto Road.

• A timber and FRP stairway structure has been constructed at Bobs Hollow.
• Steel swing gates and rock boulders have been installed to close unsanctioned 4WD tracks and provide separation between 4WD vehicles and hikers between Redgate and Bobs Hollow.
• Seedlings have been planted along the Cape to Cape track for revegetation in degraded areas.
• Constructed approximately 200m of new boardwalk and modified an additional 230m of boardwalk between Moses Rock and Quininup Falls to cover areas impacted by water inundation. This included replacing FRP corner sections with timber and extending passing bays.

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Moses Rock to Quininup Falls boardwalk

• Replaced bench seating with new granite and jarrah designs at key locations including Wyadup, Moses Rock and Conto. 

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Moses Rock bench

• Constructed gathering areas at the northern and southern ends of the Cape to Cape Track. This included new exposed aggregate pathways, bench seating and resurfacing sections of the carparks with new accessible parking bays.
  
  Crafted aluminium trailhead structures were installed for the Cape to Cape Track, Leeuwin Biddi Trail and Cape Naturaliste Walk Trails. These incorporate 3D topographical maps of the coastline with the Cape to Cape Track shown, providing hikers with photo opportunities to commemorate the start and finish of their journey. 

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Cape Naturaliste gathering area

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Cape Naturaliste trailhead signage

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Cape Leeuwin gathering area

Signage and visitor information upgrades

• A photo and video shoot for the Cape to Cape Track was held in November 2024 to collate images and video that will be used for new signage for the track and online content.

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Hikers walking through Boranup Forest. Photo Tim Campbell

• Yallingup Walk Trail signage upgrades are complete. Works include new trail motifs, additional posts to help with navigation through town and new trailheads. 

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Updated signage at Rabbit Hill which includes a new trailhead for the Cape to Cape Track. Photo DBCA

•  The rationalisation and replacement of boundary signage across the park has been completed, along with the installation of site identification and directional signage at the majority of sites, enhancing wayfinding for visitors.

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New signage at Skippy Rock. Photo DBCA

• The Cape Naturaliste Walk Trail signage and trail markers have been upgraded, introducing clear wayfinding, maps, and distinctive trail motifs. The trail previously known as the Bunker Bay Loop has been renamed the Shelley Cove Loop to better reflect its route.
• New interpretive signage dotted along the trails features beautiful illustrations, and shares stories about the area’s fascinating wildlife and history.

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Cape Naturaliste Walk Trails signage

Cape to Cape Track works

• Construction of a new boardwalk south of Wyadup Rocks will cover areas impacted during winter months, helping hikers to stay on path while protecting the surrounding native vegetation.

Signage and Visitor Information 

• In collaboration with MRBTA, a series of interactive screens, which will include park information and interpretive content, will be installed at the Margaret River Visitor Centre and caves. These will provide visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the parks in an engaging and informative way.
• A national and marine park visitor guide will be available online to download, providing information on national and marine park attractions, camping, trails and more.

Will I still have access to Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park during the upgrades?

The park will remain open to the public during the upgrades, however individual sites may be closed temporarily until works are complete.

Diversions will be put in place along the Cape to Cape Track during works so hikers can still enjoy the full extent of the track. Find out about closures and diversions online at Park Alerts.

Major upgrades for WA's most visited park

Blackwood District
14 Queen Street BUSSELTON 6280
Phone (08) 9752 5555
Email blackwood@dbca.wa.gov.au