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Shelley Cove Loop, Leeuwin-Naturaliste NP Shelley Cove Loop, Leeuwin-Naturaliste NP

Bush Walk  in South West

  • 1-3 hours
  • 3.1 km
    • Bush Walk Class 3

      Moderate trail that may have short steep hills, rough surface, many steps or some rock hopping. Directional signage. Some bushwalking experience and moderate fitness required.

This 3.1km walk is part of the Cape Naturaliste walk trails.  It offers superb clifftop views and can be started from the lighthouse carpark or Shelley Cove. 

Shelley Cove Beach
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Cape Naturaliste is the northernmost point of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. Visitors can explore the coastal scenery by walking the Cape Naturaliste walk trails.

This trail can be started from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse carpark or Shelley Cove carpark and is on a mix of sandy and rocky tracks. There are some steep sections, and log steps leading to Shelley Cove. Bench seating is available at multiple points to take a break and enjoy the view. 

This walk demonstrates the three distinctive types of vegetation of the Cape; woodland in sheltered areas near Shelley Cove, wind-pruned Marri growing higher on the ridge, and coastal heath. The viewing platform overlooking Shelley Cove offers a superb resting spot with distant views of Geographe Bay.

The cliffs along the north eastern coast are limestone, but you can also see the basement of much older granite rocks exposed along the shoreline.

 

Other trails from the lighthouse include:

Whale Trail
Distance: 2.2km (return)  Class: 2

Lighthouse Loop
Distance: 2.2km (loop)  Class: 2

Cape Naturaliste Loop
Distance 3.4km (loop) Class: 3

Cape Naturaliste to Sugarloaf Rock
Distance 6.8km (return) Class: 1

Busselton Parks and Wildlife Office

(08) 9752 5555

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Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

1 hour

Length

3.1km loop

Trail Start

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, end of Cape Naturaliste Road, 263km (3 hours) south of Perth

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Trail End

Bush Walk

Class 3

Moderate trail that may have short steep hills, rough surface, many steps or some rock hopping. Directional signage. Some bushwalking experience and moderate fitness required.

Visit Trail Tips for further information.

What To Pack

Facilities

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse has a gift shop with snacks and drinks. Access to the lighthouse grounds requires an entry fee, and guided tours of the lighthouse are available hourly. A museum is located in one of the original lighthouse keeper’s cottages.

  • Car Park
  • Coach Parking
  • Interpretive Centre
  • Kiosk
  • Lookouts
  • All accessible parking
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Shaded Area
  • Sheltered Area
  • Shop
  • All accessible toilet facilities
  • View Platform

Best time of year

September to April

Trail Access

By vehicle, at the end of Cape Naturaliste Road, near Dunsborough, 263km (3 hours) south of Perth.

Prohibited Items

No pets or bikes permitted

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4 trail goers have rated Shelley Cove Loop, Leeuwin-Naturaliste NP as 4 out of 5!

We love to hear from people who've been on our Western Australian trails, so it would be most appreciated it if you wanted to leave a review.

Mel Victoire

Reviewed 27 Apr 2025, 7:04pm

Amazing views over the cliffs with the caves a nice little surprise if you didn’t know they were there. But the trail itself is basically just brown sand and sharp rocks along a few sections. Other than the cliff section, the trail has nothing to look at, it’s just walking between coastal plants and the trail markers and maps along the way are so faded they don’t exist. I give the trail 2/10 but the views 8/10, higher if it was whale season! After doing Meelup to Dunsborough earlier in the day this was a real let down
Annique Lee

Reviewed 13 Aug 2021, 3:45pm

I completed this hike today, weather was not bad, just the occasional drizzle. I parked at the Cape Naturalist car park and headed to the last car park where I began the hike. You can also start at the left side of the pathway from the car park as you enter the shops and cafe. Anyway, the trail was fairly easy, some steep decline with rocks jutting out so it is a matter of being careful as you step in some areas, I headed down to the Shelley Cove platform, stunning! Heading back up I came across the beautiful sea caves along the cliff, breathtaking. I ended up by diverting and joining the Lighthouse Loop. I finished off my hike with a beautiful turmeric latte and a lovely scone at the lighthouse cafe.
Puja Fjeldstad

Reviewed 30 Apr 2020, 9:25pm

Beautiful views and good challenging terrain but the flies bothered my partner quite a bit.
Dave Reid

Reviewed 25 Jun 2018, 10:13am

The trail head is easy to miss. It is diagonally across the RV carpark currently marked by an orange bollard.
Pleasant easy walk that takes you down to the cliff edge lookout. We spent half an hour watching the seals basking on the rock and a mob in the water floating with their fins raised. The track is a bit rough in places and easy to stumble. This track also joins up with the Lighthouse loop that takes you back to the main carpark and the start of the Cape-to-Cape trail.
Finished off with a beer at the Eagle Bay Brewing Company.

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