Cape Naturaliste
Kwirreejeenungup
Lighthouse, whales and wild coast
On the lands of the Wardandi Noongar people people.
schedule 2 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Cape Naturaliste is the rugged northern tip of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge near Dunsborough in Western Australia's South West. A white limestone lighthouse built in 1903 crowns the headland above Geographe Bay, offering panoramic views over a coastline of sheltered swimming beaches, wave-lashed rock platforms, and the start of the 135-kilometre Cape to Cape Track. Whales, dolphins, and seabirds complete a setting of extraordinary natural theatre.
The lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste has guided mariners through the Indian Ocean approaches to Geographe Bay since it was first lit in 1904. Standing 20 metres tall on a headland 123 metres above sea level, it was constructed from local limestone and fitted with a first-order Fresnel lens manufactured by Chance Brothers. Now operated as a heritage attraction by the Capes Foundation, a division of the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, guided tours climb 59 steps to a balcony with sweeping views of the bay and the national park. The adjacent Lightkeepers' Museum, housed in one of the original cottages, tells the story of the keepers who staffed the light until it was automated in 1978.
The cape sits within Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, which protects more than 19,000 hectares of the ridge between Cape Leeuwin in the south and Cape Naturaliste in the north. This is Wardandi Noongar country, and the Wardandi people, the Saltwater People, have maintained a connection to this coastline for many thousands of years. The Wardandi name for Cape Naturaliste is Kwirreejeenungup, meaning the place of beautiful views to the north. Walking trails around the cape follow ancient bidi, traditional Noongar tracks, that once linked significant cultural and ceremonial sites along the ridge.
The cape marks the northern trailhead of the Cape to Cape Track, one of Western Australia's premier long-distance walking routes. The 135-kilometre track winds south through coastal heath, karri forest, and sea cliffs to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, typically taking five to seven days. Day walkers can tackle shorter sections, including the walk to Sugarloaf Rock, a dramatic offshore stack that erupts from the sea south of the cape and is one of the most photographed natural features in the South West.
Geographe Bay, sheltered behind the cape's northern arm, hosts some of the region's calmest swimming beaches. The bay is also a significant whale nursery: southern right whales use the sheltered water to raise calves during the cooler months, while humpbacks, blue whales, and minke whales pass through on their annual migration. A dedicated whale lookout on the cape trails provides one of the best land-based whale-watching vantage points in Western Australia, with the season running from late May through to December.
The surrounding national park is rich in birds, wildflowers, and small mammals. Spring brings a carpet of coastal heath wildflowers across the sandplain, and the limestone caves beneath the ridge shelter unique invertebrate fauna. The region's Mediterranean climate, dry summers and mild, wet winters, makes spring and autumn the most comfortable time to explore on foot, though the whale-watching season draws visitors well into early summer.
Common questions
Things visitors ask about Cape Naturaliste.
Quick answers to help you plan.
Do I need a national park pass to visit Cape Naturaliste?
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Entry to Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park is free, so no park pass is required. You do need to pay a separate admission fee for the guided lighthouse tour: adults $18, seniors $16, children aged 4 to 16 years $10, and children under 4 free. The tour lasts about 30 minutes and departs regularly through the day.
When is the best time to see whales at Cape Naturaliste?
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Cape Naturaliste enjoys one of the longest whale-watching windows in Australia, running from late May through to early December. Southern right whales use Geographe Bay as a nursery from around June onwards, while humpback, blue, and minke whales pass through on migration from September to November. October is often the peak month for variety of species.
Can I walk the Cape to Cape Track starting from Cape Naturaliste?
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Yes. Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is the official northern trailhead of the 135-kilometre Cape to Cape Track, which ends at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse near Augusta. The full route takes five to seven days. Shorter day walks from the cape include the popular Sugarloaf Rock return and the Cape Naturaliste Loop trail.
Who are the traditional owners of Cape Naturaliste?
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Cape Naturaliste lies within the country of the Wardandi Noongar people, known as the Saltwater People. The Wardandi name for the cape is Kwirreejeenungup, meaning the place of beautiful views to the north. The Wardandi have maintained a continuous connection to this coastline for many thousands of years.
Is the lighthouse accessible for visitors with mobility issues?
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The lighthouse tower requires climbing 59 steps and is not wheelchair or pram accessible. However, a ground-level observation platform at the base of the tower provides ocean views for those who cannot climb, and the Lightkeepers' Museum in the original cottage is accessible. Contact the Capes Foundation in advance for more details.
What is Sugarloaf Rock and how do I get there?
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Sugarloaf Rock is a striking offshore sea stack located a short drive south of Cape Naturaliste along Cape Naturaliste Road. A walking trail leads from a car park to clifftop viewpoints overlooking the rock. It is one of the most photographed natural landmarks in the Margaret River region and a popular spot at sunset.
Gallery
Cape Naturaliste in pictures.
6 images licensed from Wikimedia Commons
All images are sourced from Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licences. Individual photographers are credited on the source pages.
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Attribution
Sources & credits
Content (4)
- Wikipedia: Cape Naturaliste · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Explore Parks WA · WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Capes Foundation · Capes Foundation
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse - Wikipedia · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Images (6)
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse (40805785852).jpg · Natalie Maguire · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sugarloaf Rock - Flickr - NatalieTracy.png · Natalie Maguire · CC BY-SA 2.0
- 00 1687 Australia - Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse.jpg · W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, February 2021 01.jpg · Calistemon · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, February 2021 02.jpg · Calistemon · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, February 2021 03.jpg · Calistemon · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under licenses that permit commercial use. If you are the rights holder and believe an attribution is incorrect, please contact us.