Easy hikes and walks in Western Australia

Brambles Beach has stunning blue, turquoise water, and walking on the beach here is part of the Uredale Point Heritage Trail. One thing to note is this western beach is usually covered with seaweed. The seaweed can be slippery, so bring grippy shoes. Staying on the part of the beach farther from the water's edge should reveal some more sand to walk on, but be prepared to encounter seaweed.

Uredale Point Monument is marked with a stone cairn located on the tip of the Vancouver Peninsula marking the spot where Captain George Vancouver landed in 1791. He raised the British flag and claimed the southwestern part of Australia for King George III. He named it Point Possession, and today it's officially known as Uredale Point. The marker also marks the peak of the granite dome, which is the highest natural point of Uredale Point. From here, the scenery is stunning, with 360-degree views across King George Sound, the Albany coastline, and Mount Clarenc.

Barker Bay Beach is also known as Osman’s Beach, and looks different at different times of day. When the sun is shining, the water almost glows bright neon turquoise, with brilliant white sands. This sandy stretch is impressive, stretching 700 metres north to south, making this section of the Uredale Point Heritage Trail a long beach walk. Bring sturdy shoes for the rest of the rocky trail that are easy to take off if you would like to enjoy this section of sand barefoot.

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.