Easy hikes and walks in Western Australia

The Emma Gorge Walk Trail is a Grade 3 to Grade 4 hike due to rough terrain rather than steep elevation changes. Bushwalkers must scramble over boulders, step across slippery river stones, and cross small creeks, but are rewarded with two amazing freshwater swimming holes at the end of the track. The track strictly follows the floor of Emma Gorge, a canyon flanked by horizontal Cockburn sandstone cliffs that rise up to 120 metres on either side.

The Turquoise Pool sits about 200 metres before the end of Emma Gorge Walk Trail. Compared to Emma Gorge Pool, Turquoise Pool is not shaded and catches plenty of direct sunlight, making the water noticeably warmer. A resident freshwater crocodile lives here and, like other freshwater crocodiles, is generally harmless to humans if left alone, but swimmers should always remain aware of their surroundings.

The Emma Gorge Pool sits at the end of then Emma Gorge Walk Trail, nestled in a large horseshoe-shaped red sandstone gorge shaped like an amphitheatre. A stunning 65-metre-tall thin waterfall cascades down the cliffs directly into the pool. Emma Gorge blocks out most of the daily sunlight, and the main pool water is notoriously cold and refreshing. There is a hidden thermal water trickle along the right-hand rock wall of the pool, so the water is a bit warmer over there.

Sugarloaf Rock is one of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park's most iconic locations. The towering rock formation is often bettered by rough seas, making for dramatic photos and its west facing aspect make for incredible sunsets.

This trail has many great viewpoints but this spot is one of the best. It's easily accessible from nearby parking areas or via longer walks from further afield.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse sits at the northern end of Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park and has short walking paths, coastal viewpoints, and plenty of history tied to local maritime navigation. You can wander between lookouts, or book a tour to learn about the lighthouse’s role in guiding ships around the cape, and climb the tower to enjoy wide views over Geographe Bay and the surrounding coastline.

The Cape to Cape Track is one of Australia’s best-known long-distance coastal walks, stretching about 123 kilometres between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin through Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park. The track passes beaches, limestone cliffs, granite headlands, karri forest, caves, and coastal heath, with terrain ranging from soft sand and rocky paths to boardwalks and steep stair sections. Even short sections give you a good feel for the variety of the full trail, especially around Quinninup Falls where the track combines ocean views with sheltered bushland and seasonal creeks.

Quinninup Falls is a seasonal waterfall hidden behind the coastal dunes of Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park, where Quinninup Brook spills over layered rock into a small fern-lined pool before continuing towards the ocean. The contrast between the dry coastal heath above and the cool, sheltered waterfall below makes this one of the more unusual spots along the Cape to Cape Track. The falls flow best from late winter into spring after steady rain, and the site is culturally significant to the Wadandi people.