Best Maps for the Cape to Cape Track

by Christopher O'Keeffe July 27, 2026

The Cape to Cape Track is a journey of limestone cliffs, sheltered forests, sweeping beaches and two great capes, following one of Western Australia’s most dramatic coastlines from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin. No single map can reveal it all. A complete mapping kit may combine the dedicated 1:50,000 Track map for the route underfoot, the current guidebook with detailed 1:25,000 mapping, selected Landgate topographic sheets for closer terrain study, a broader South West touring map for access and support, and a wall map to understand how the entire journey comes together.

The Cape to Cape Track follows one of the most beautiful and geographically varied coastlines in Western Australia.

It begins at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, north-west of Dunsborough, and travels south along the Leeuwin–Naturaliste Ridge to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse near Augusta.

Along the way, the route passes through:

• exposed limestone headlands;

• long beaches and soft sand;

• coastal heath;

• sheltered peppermint woodland;

• karri forest;

• granite outcrops;

• river mouths;

• dune systems;

• national-park country;

• coastal settlements and vehicle-access points.

Trails WA currently describes the Track as approximately 130 kilometres long, normally requiring five to seven days for an end-to-end walk. Published distances vary slightly between map, guidebook and route-data editions because the measured line, diversions and realignments do not always match exactly.

That variation is not a reason to distrust the maps.

It is a reason to use the correct map for the correct purpose and to check current Track information before departure.

The established route is sufficiently compact to appear on one dedicated folded map, yet sufficiently complex that serious walkers may still want more detail for day planning, access, terrain interpretation or fieldwork beyond the marked alignment.

Mapworld stocks the dedicated Track map, guidebook, South West touring maps, WA topographic mapping and planning maps through the Western Australia maps, guides and road atlases collection.

For a large-format overview at home, in a walking club, school, tourism business or support-vehicle planning room, explore the Western Australia wall-map collection.

Best Cape to Cape Track Maps: Quick Recommendations

Purpose	Recommended map
Best map for walking the complete Track	Cape to Cape Track Map
Best detailed planning reference	Cape to Cape Track Guidebook – 9th Edition
Best detailed adjoining topographic coverage	WA Topo 25 Landgate maps
Best 1:50,000 route coverage	Cape to Cape Track Map
Best source for other WA 1:50,000 sheets	WA Topo 50 collection
Best source for broader WA 1:100,000 sheets	WA Topo 100 collection
Best broad South West touring map	South West Western Australia Hema Map
Best detailed regional road map	South West Corner Western Australia QPA Map
Best WA road and track atlas	Roads & Tracks of Western Australia QPA
Best wall map for detailed South West planning	South West Western Australia Hema Supermap
Best compact South West wall map	South West Western Australia Hema Laminated Wall Map
Best complete navigation system	Track map, current route data, offline digital mapping, compass and independent power

For most end-to-end walkers, the strongest starting combination is:

• the dedicated Cape to Cape Track Map;

• the Cape to Cape Track Guidebook for detailed stage planning;

• the South West Western Australia Hema Map for road access, transfers and the wider region;

• current Cape to Cape Track information from Trails WA;

• current DBCA Park Alerts;

• offline digital route data and an independent power supply.

For a short day walk, carry the dedicated Track map or the relevant guidebook pages, supported by current local advice and offline navigation.

For fieldwork, route leadership or detailed terrain study, add the relevant WA Topo 25 sheets.

Why the Cape to Cape Track Needs More Than One Type of Map

The Cape to Cape is shorter than the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail, but that does not make its mapping requirements one-dimensional.

Each map category answers a different question.

The Dedicated Track Map

This answers:

• Where does the Cape to Cape Track go?

• What comes next along the established route?

• Where are the access roads, campsites and facilities?

• How does the full walk divide into practical sections?

The Guidebook

This answers:

• What is each section like to walk?

• Where are the difficult beaches, climbs, crossings and exposed sections?

• What services and attractions lie near the route?

• How can the complete journey be divided into days?

A 1:25,000 Topographic Map

This answers:

• What is the precise shape of the surrounding terrain?

• Which ridges, slopes, watercourses, roads, parcels and adjoining tracks lie beyond the route?

• How does a day walk connect with nearby reserves, roads or field sites?

• What additional detail is required for outdoor education, environmental work or emergency planning?

A 1:50,000 Map

This answers:

• How can useful terrain detail and practical route coverage be balanced?

• How much of the Track can appear without the map becoming an unwieldy multi-sheet set?

The dedicated Cape to Cape map already answers this question particularly well.

A 1:100,000 Map

This answers:

• How does a larger operational or regional area fit together?

• Which towns, roads, reserves and landscape units surround a project?

• What broader country must be understood beyond one walking section?

It is not normally the preferred scale for navigating a detailed coastal footpath.

A Touring Map or Road Atlas

This answers:

• How do we drive to the trailhead?

• Where should a support vehicle meet the walkers?

• How are Dunsborough, Yallingup, Gracetown, Margaret River, Prevelly, Hamelin Bay and Augusta connected?

• What alternative road access exists if plans change?

A Wall Map

This answers:

• Where does the entire walk sit within the South West?

• How can an end-to-end itinerary be understood at a glance?

• How can completed sections, transfers or support points be marked?

The most reliable system is layered.

Use the dedicated map for the Track.

Use detailed topographic mapping for the country around it.

Use a touring map for the roads that connect it.

Use current official information for anything that may have changed.

1. Cape to Cape Track Map

The Best Single Map for Walking the Track

Cape to Cape Track Map

The dedicated Cape to Cape Track Map is the natural first choice for anyone walking the route.

It covers the complete journey from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin in three detailed panels at 1:50,000 scale.

At that scale:

• 1 centimetre on the map represents 500 metres on the ground;

• enough terrain is visible to understand the coast, ridge and access network;

• the complete route can remain portable;

• contours remain useful;

• campsites, road approaches, facilities and important features can be presented clearly.

The map is double-sided, folded and made for field use. Mapworld lists it as printed on tear-resistant, water-repellent topographic paper, with an open size of approximately 700 by 1000 millimetres.

It shows:

• the complete Cape to Cape alignment;

• Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin;

• topographic contours;

• terrain features;

• trailheads;

• road access;

• campsites;

• water points;

• facilities;

• adjoining geographic context.

Why 1:50,000 Works So Well Here

A more detailed scale does not automatically create a better walking map.

At 1:25,000, the full route requires many sheets or page panels. That is excellent for local analysis but less elegant for understanding a complete day or multi-day journey.

At 1:100,000, more coast fits on the sheet, but subtle terrain, access and route relationships become harder to read.

The 1:50,000 scale occupies the useful middle ground.

It is detailed enough for walking and broad enough for route continuity.

Best For

• end-to-end walkers;

• day walkers;

• first-time Cape to Cape hikers;

• walking groups;

• outdoor educators;

• support crews who want one route-focused map;

• visitors seeking a compact map and keepsake.

Important Limitation

The dedicated map is designed around the established Track.

If the journey involves:

• substantial off-track travel;

• environmental surveys;

• adjoining cave, reserve or land-management work;

• complex emergency planning;

• detailed cadastral interpretation;

• a wider network of roads and tracks;

add the relevant Landgate topographic sheet or a broader regional map.

2. Cape to Cape Track Guidebook – 9th Edition

The Best Detailed Planning Companion

Cape to Cape Track Guidebook – 9th Edition

The dedicated folded map explains the route spatially.

The guidebook explains the journey.

The current ninth edition is a 208-page, spiral-bound field and planning reference published in 2024. It includes 21 full-page topographic maps at 1:25,000 scale, covering the coastline between Dunsborough and Augusta.

The maps and text include:

• the Cape to Cape route;

• the Meelup Trail;

• vehicle-access points;

• minor roads;

• walking tracks;

• car parks;

• trail markers;

• surf breaks;

• campgrounds;

• facilities;

• stage descriptions;

• regional natural history;

• preparation information;

• transport and accommodation guidance;

• suggested shorter walks.

Why the Guidebook Is Different from a Folded Map

A guidebook can devote one page to a short section.

That creates room for:

• more local detail;

• route notes;

• practical warnings;

• background information;

• photographs;

• day-by-day planning;

• explanations that cannot fit comfortably in a map legend.

However, the guidebook is larger and heavier than the folded Track map. Many walkers will study it before departure and decide whether to carry the complete book, selected notes or the lighter folded map in the field.

Best For

• first-time end-to-end planning;

• walkers dividing the route into five to seven days;

• day-walk selection;

• understanding access and local facilities;

• visitors interested in the geology, flora, fauna and cultural landscape;

• walkers who prefer written notes alongside maps;

• holiday planning around the Margaret River region.

The Strongest Combination

Use:

• the guidebook at home and during detailed stage preparation;

• the folded 1:50,000 Track map for rapid route overview in the field;

• current official alerts immediately before and during the journey.

3. WA Topo 25 Landgate Maps

The Best Detailed Topographic Sheets for the Cape to Cape Corridor

WA Topo 25 Maps – Landgate Topographic Map Series

The WA Topo 25 series is the most detailed Landgate paper-map option relevant to the Cape to Cape corridor.

At 1:25,000:

• 1 centimetre represents 250 metres;

• each sheet covers approximately 14 by 12.5 kilometres;

• contour intervals are typically 5 to 10 metres;

• roads, tracks, hydrology, vegetation, infrastructure and cadastral detail can be shown with considerable precision.

Mapworld supplies the series in:

• folded paper;

• waterproof and tear-resistant Tyvek;

• laminated format;

• flat format by request.

For most people simply walking the marked Cape to Cape Track, twelve large Landgate sheets would be excessive.

The dedicated Track map and guidebook are more practical.

WA Topo 25 becomes particularly useful for:

• route leadership;

• outdoor education;

• environmental fieldwork;

• land management;

• emergency-service planning;

• detailed access studies;

• investigating adjoining terrain;

• walkers deliberately leaving the established alignment;

• professional projects crossing the Track corridor.

Which WA Topo 25 Sheets Cover the Cape to Cape Track?

Using the current DBCA Long Trails route dataset against Landgate’s WA Topo 25 index, the route intersects the following sheets.

They are listed in approximate north-to-south order.

Order	WA Topo 25 sheet	Sheet number	Approximate role along the corridor
1	Yallingup-NW	1930-IV-NW	Cape Naturaliste and the northern start
2	Yallingup-SW	1930-IV-SW	Southern Yallingup coast
3	Clairault-SE	1830-I-SE	Coastal corridor south of Yallingup
4	Mentelle-NE	1830-II-NE	Northern central section
5	Cowaramup-NW	1930-III-NW	Brief eastern sheet-boundary crossing
6	Mentelle-SE	1830-II-SE	Central coastal section
7	Cowaramup-SW	1930-III-SW	Margaret River and adjoining central corridor
8	Karridale-NW	1929-IV-NW	Redgate–Conto–Boranup approach
9	Tooker-NE	1829-I-NE	Brief western sheet-boundary crossing
10	Karridale-SW	1929-IV-SW	Boranup and Hamelin Bay region
11	Leeuwin-NW	1929-III-NW	Southern approach to Augusta
12	Leeuwin-NE	1929-III-NE	Cape Leeuwin finish

Several portions of the route run close to a sheet edge and briefly enter an adjoining sheet.

That is why a search based only on the nearest town can omit:

• Cowaramup-NW;

• Tooker-NE;

• other short boundary crossings.

Anyone ordering a complete 1:25,000 corridor should verify the current alignment and map index before purchase, particularly after a permanent realignment.

How to Order the Correct Sheets

On the WA Topo 25 product page:

1. choose paper, waterproof or laminated finish;

2. select the quantity;

3. enter each map name and sheet number in the order notes;

4. contact Mapworld if the project area or sheet boundary remains uncertain.

For example:

Yallingup-NW 1930-IV-NW

The name identifies the sheet.

The code identifies its position within the topographic grid.

Understanding the Sheet Numbers

A number such as 1930-IV-NW is hierarchical.

• 1930 identifies the parent 1:100,000 grid block;

• IV identifies the 1:50,000 quadrant within it;

• NW identifies the 1:25,000 quarter-sheet.

The Cape to Cape alignment travels close to the boundary between adjoining parent blocks. That is why its detailed sheet list includes numbers beginning with:

• 1930;

• 1830;

• 1929;

•  

  1829.  

Do not assume that the presence of a parent number in a WA Topo 25 code guarantees that a separately published current WA Topo 50 or WA Topo 100 sheet is available for the same area. The Landgate 50 and 100 series have selected coverage, and their current indexes should always be checked.

Best For

• close terrain interpretation;

• detailed day-walk study;

• professional and educational use;

• off-route work;

• waterproof field sheets;

• projects requiring cadastral and infrastructure context;

• local planning around a particular Cape to Cape section.

4. WA Topo 50 Landgate Maps

The Best General Topographic Scale—Where Current Coverage Is Available

Western Australia 1:50,000 Topographic Maps

WA Topo 50 Maps – Landgate Topographic Map Series

At 1:50,000:

• 1 centimetre represents 500 metres;

• each current WA Topo 50 sheet covers approximately 25 by 25 kilometres;

• typical contour intervals range from 10 to 20 metres;

• the scale balances terrain detail with a larger field of view.

This is one of the most useful general topographic scales for:

• bushwalking;

• land management;

• environmental planning;

• incident response;

• access planning;

• broader field operations.

The Important Cape to Cape Distinction

For the Cape to Cape Track itself, the best 1:50,000 product is the purpose-made Cape to Cape Track Map.

It is already organised around the complete walking route and includes the information most walkers need.

The Landgate WA Topo 50 series is better treated as a separate topographic collection for projects in areas shown on the current coverage index.

Landgate describes WA Topo 50 as selected state-wide coverage rather than a promise that every location has a current sheet at that scale. Check the map index or ask Mapworld to confirm coverage before ordering.

Best For

• wider field projects in available coverage areas;

• regional terrain study;

• work that extends beyond the Cape to Cape corridor;

• balancing detail with operational area;

• professional users already working within the Landgate topographic system.

Best Cape to Cape Alternative at the Same Scale

Choose the Cape to Cape Track Map.

It gives the walker a far more useful route-centred presentation than a generic sheet.

5. WA Topo 100 Landgate Maps

The Best Broader Topographic Scale—Where Current Coverage Is Available

Western Australia 1:100,000 Topographic Maps

WA Topo 100 Maps – Landgate Topographic Map Series

At 1:100,000:

• 1 centimetre represents 1 kilometre;

• each current sheet covers approximately 50 by 50 kilometres;

• contour intervals are typically around 20 metres;

• a much larger region appears on one sheet.

This makes 1:100,000 useful for:

• regional reconnaissance;

• broad project planning;

• understanding road and drainage networks;

• larger environmental or emergency operations;

• 4WD and land-management work;

• seeing how several detailed project areas relate.

Is 1:100,000 Detailed Enough for the Cape to Cape Track?

Not as the primary walking map.

The route follows beaches, headlands, forest tracks and a narrow coastal corridor. A 1:100,000 map sacrifices too much local detail for ordinary foot navigation.

Use:

• the dedicated 1:50,000 Track map for the route;

• 1:25,000 mapping for close local analysis;

• a touring map for road logistics;

• 1:100,000 only when the wider professional or regional task genuinely requires it and current coverage exists.

As with WA Topo 50, the current WA Topo 100 series has selected coverage. Confirm the appropriate indexed sheet rather than ordering solely from a familiar locality or parent-grid name.

Best For

• broad-area projects;

• regional context;

• operations extending well beyond the Track;

• users who need more terrain information than a touring map but less local detail than 1:25,000.

6. South West Western Australia Hema Map

The Best Broad Touring Map for Access and Transfers

South West Western Australia Map – Hema

The dedicated Track map shows the walking corridor.

The Hema map shows the journey around it.

This folded touring map covers a large part of south-western Western Australia. Its main map is at 1:700,000, supported by a more detailed South West Corner inset at 1:200,000.

The open sheet is approximately 1000 by 700 millimetres and is available in paper or laminated form.

It is useful for:

• driving from Perth to the Capes;

• understanding Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta in regional context;

• planning transfers between accommodation and trailheads;

• locating major and minor roads;

• building a holiday around the walk;

• identifying national parks, camping areas and wider touring opportunities;

• support-vehicle planning.

Why a Touring Map Matters

The Cape to Cape is a linear walk.

Someone still needs to solve:

• how to reach Cape Naturaliste;

• how to leave Cape Leeuwin;

• where vehicles can approach intermediate sections;

• how to move between accommodation, supplies and trailheads;

• what alternative plans exist if weather, injury or a closure changes the itinerary.

A detailed Track map should not be forced to carry the entire regional road network.

The Hema map provides that missing layer.

Best For

• end-to-end transport planning;

• self-drive holidays;

• support vehicles;

• walkers adding Margaret River touring before or after the Track;

• caravanners and campers;

• broad South West orientation.

7. South West Corner Western Australia QPA Map

The Best Detailed Regional Road Map

South West Corner Western Australia Regional Map – QPA

The QPA South West Corner map is a double-sided regional map at 1:170,000.

It covers:

• Yanchep to Busselton on one side;

• Margaret River, Pemberton, Nannup and D’Entrecasteaux National Park on the other;

• highways;

• scenic roads;

• minor roads;

• selected 4WD tracks;

• camping areas;

• rest areas;

• parks;

• beaches;

• caves;

• lookouts and attractions.

At approximately 1010 by 700 millimetres open, it offers considerably more road detail than a statewide map while remaining a practical folded touring product.

Why It Is Especially Useful for Section Walkers

A section walker may need to understand:

• Cape Naturaliste Road;

• Caves Road;

• Yallingup access;

• Cowaramup Bay Road;

• Gracetown approaches;

• Wallcliffe Road;

• roads around Prevelly and Gnarabup;

• Redgate Road;

• Conto Road;

• Hamelin Bay Road;

• Caves Road approaches near Karridale;

• Leeuwin Road and Augusta.

The QPA map is designed to show the regional network linking these places.

It is not a substitute for the Track map.

It is the map for everything that happens before and after the walking boots touch the route.

Best For

• day-walk access;

• vehicle shuttles;

• detailed South West road planning;

• walkers staying in regional accommodation;

• camping and touring;

• tourism operators;

• support teams.

8. Roads & Tracks of Western Australia QPA

The Best Atlas for Support Vehicles and Wider WA Travel

Roads & Tracks of Western Australia QPA – 16th Edition

Roads & Tracks of Western Australia is a statewide road and track atlas rather than a dedicated walking map.

Its strength lies in:

• extensive road and place indexing;

• 4WD-track information;

• camping and travel context;

• national-park coverage;

• locally researched Western Australian detail;

• usefulness beyond one holiday or one route.

For a straightforward Cape to Cape walk with commercial transfers, it may be more atlas than necessary.

For a support crew combining the Track with a longer Western Australian road journey, it becomes much more valuable.

Best For

• support vehicles;

• 4WD travellers;

• extended WA touring;

• people combining the Cape to Cape with the Bibbulmun Track, Munda Biddi Trail or other South West journeys;

• trip planners who prefer an indexed atlas;

• repeat Western Australian travellers.

The Best Maps for Cape to Cape Track Sections

The Track is commonly understood through a sequence of coastal regions rather than rigid official stages.

The following combinations provide a useful starting point.

Cape Naturaliste to Yallingup

Use:

• Cape to Cape Track Map;

• guidebook northern pages;

• WA Topo 25 Yallingup-NW 1930-IV-NW;

• WA Topo 25 Yallingup-SW 1930-IV-SW;

• South West Corner QPA Map for road access.

This is the correct combination for the lighthouse start, Sugarloaf Rock, northern coastal terrain and Yallingup approaches.

Yallingup to Gracetown

Use:

• the dedicated Track map;

• guidebook section notes;

• Clairault-SE 1830-I-SE;

• Mentelle-NE 1830-II-NE;

• Cowaramup-NW 1930-III-NW where the alignment clips the adjacent sheet;

• the QPA regional map for pickup and accommodation logistics.

Gracetown to Margaret River and Redgate

Use:

• the dedicated Track map;

• Mentelle-SE 1830-II-SE;

• Cowaramup-SW 1930-III-SW;

• the guidebook for the Margaret River mouth and local route notes;

• current official information for seasonal or temporary diversions.

Trails WA specifically warns that the Margaret River mouth has an annual inland diversion during winter and spring. Always check the present route rather than assuming a printed coastal line remains open.

Redgate to Conto and Boranup

Use:

• the dedicated Track map;

• Karridale-NW 1929-IV-NW;

• Tooker-NE 1829-I-NE for the short boundary crossing;

• the guidebook for local terrain and access notes;

• the regional road map for Conto Road and support access.

Boranup and Hamelin Bay to Cape Leeuwin

Use:

• the dedicated Track map;

• Karridale-SW 1929-IV-SW;

• Leeuwin-NW 1929-III-NW;

• Leeuwin-NE 1929-III-NE;

• the guidebook for the final southern sections;

• the regional road map for Hamelin Bay, Augusta and Leeuwin Road.

This section brings the route from forest and beach country toward the southern lighthouse and the meeting of the Indian and Southern oceans.

Wall Maps for Planning the Cape to Cape Track

A folded map belongs in the pack.

A wall map belongs where the whole journey can be seen.

Wall maps are particularly useful for:

• planning a complete itinerary;

• marking accommodation and transfer points;

• visualising road access;

• walking clubs;

• tourism operators;

• outdoor-education programs;

• family and support teams;

• recording completed sections;

• remembering the journey after returning home.

Explore the complete Western Australia wall-map collection.

South West Western Australia Hema Supermap

The Best Wall Map for Cape to Cape Regional Planning

South West Western Australia Hema Supermap

For Cape to Cape planning, a South West wall map is more useful than a map of the entire state.

The Hema Supermap is approximately 1430 by 1000 millimetres at 1:500,000 scale.

It includes:

• Margaret River;

• Augusta;

• the broader South West;

• regional roads;

• national parks;

• camping areas;

• touring routes;

• adjoining towns and travel corridors.

The laminated version with timber hang rails arrives ready to display. Its wipe-clean surface can be used with suitable whiteboard markers or removable map dots.

Best For

• end-to-end itinerary planning;

• walking clubs;

• tourism businesses;

• holiday homes;

• schools;

• support crews;

• marking completed coastal sections;

• combining the walk with a broader South West journey.

South West Western Australia Hema Laminated Wall Map

The Best Compact Wall Map for the Region

South West Western Australia Hema Laminated Wall Map

At approximately 700 by 1000 millimetres and 1:700,000 scale, this map provides a more compact South West overview.

It is useful where:

• wall space is limited;

• the map must fit above a desk;

• the complete South West matters more than fine local detail;

• a wipe-clean planning surface is needed;

• the map will be used for several journeys.

The Supermap is stronger for visual impact and regional detail.

The compact laminated map is easier to place in a home office, classroom or small planning space.

Other Western Australia Wall Maps

The Western Australia wall-map collection also includes statewide road, political, physical and decorative options.

A statewide wall map is useful when the Cape to Cape is part of a larger Western Australian story:

• a complete state road trip;

• several long trails;

• school geography;

• tourism planning;

• business operations;

• a personal record of journeys across WA.

For a focused Cape to Cape plan, choose the South West map.

For the complete state, choose from the wider wall-map collection.

For more detail, read Best Wall Maps of Western Australia.

Wall-Map Finishes

Laminated

Lamination is the most practical planning finish.

It is:

• durable;

• wipe-clean;

• resistant to moisture and staining;

• suitable for compatible whiteboard markers;

• compatible with removable map dots;

• useful in offices, schools and walking-club rooms.

Laminated with Timber Hang Rails

Timber hang rails create a clean, ready-to-display map without the cost or weight of full framing.

They are particularly suited to:

• home offices;

• visitor centres;

• tourism businesses;

• schools;

• club rooms;

• holiday properties.

Folded Laminated Maps

Some compact wall maps are laminated from folded stock and may retain light creases.

They remain practical planning maps but do not have the perfectly flat appearance of a purpose-printed premium wall map.

Before choosing a size or finish, read What Size Wall Map Do I Need?.

Building the Ideal Cape to Cape Map Kit

Full End-to-End Walk

Use:

• Cape to Cape Track Map;

• Cape to Cape Track Guidebook;

• South West Western Australia Hema Map;

• official Track information and alerts;

• offline route data;

• compass;

• power bank or independent power;

• emergency communication appropriate to the walk.

Day Walk or Short Section

Use:

• the dedicated Track map;

• relevant guidebook pages;

• South West Corner QPA Map for vehicle access;

• current local information.

Detailed Topographic Field Kit

Use:

• the relevant WA Topo 25 sheet;

• the dedicated Track map;

• compass and map-reading tools;

• current route data;

• waterproof map protection or Tyvek sheets;

• project-specific aerial, cadastral or environmental information where required.

Outdoor Education or Guided Group

Use:

• dedicated Track maps for leaders;

• the guidebook for preparation;

• relevant WA Topo 25 sheets for navigation teaching;

• the Hema or QPA regional map for vehicle and emergency-access planning;

• a laminated wall map for group briefings;

• current official alerts and risk information.

Support-Vehicle Journey

Use:

• the dedicated Track map;

• South West Corner QPA Map;

• Roads & Tracks of Western Australia if the journey extends farther across WA;

• offline road navigation;

• written pickup points and contingency locations.

Margaret River Holiday with Several Walks

Use:

• Cape to Cape Track Guidebook;

• the Track map;

• the Hema or QPA South West map;

• local visitor information;

• the Mapworld guide to the Top 10 Things To Do in Margaret River.

Home Planning and Journey Record

Use:

• South West Western Australia Hema Supermap;

• removable map dots;

• wipe-clean itinerary markings;

• the folded Track map beside it for close section detail.

Choosing Between 1:25,000, 1:50,000 and 1:100,000

Scale	Ground distance represented by 1 cm	Main Cape to Cape use
1:25,000	250 m	Detailed local terrain, adjoining tracks, fieldwork and close section study
1:50,000	500 m	Best balance for the complete walking route
1:100,000	1 km	Broader regional or professional planning where current coverage exists

Choose 1:25,000 When

• small terrain features matter;

• you are studying one local section;

• the project leaves the established Track;

• detailed hydrology, access, cadastral or vegetation context matters;

• you are teaching navigation;

• you can manage multiple sheets.

Choose 1:50,000 When

• you want one practical route-focused map;

• you need contours and access without excessive sheet changes;

• you are walking the established Cape to Cape;

• you want the best balance of detail and continuity.

For this Track, choose the dedicated 1:50,000 map.

Choose 1:100,000 When

• the operational area is larger than the walk;

• regional road, terrain and drainage relationships matter;

• the task is reconnaissance rather than detailed foot navigation;

• current Landgate coverage exists for the required area.

For a simple Cape to Cape holiday, a regional touring map will usually be more practical than a generic 1:100,000 topographic sheet.

For a full explanation of WA topographic scales and indexes, read How to Choose Topographic Maps for Western Australia.

Paper, Waterproof or Laminated?

Folded Paper

Best for:

• lightweight carrying;

• ordinary planning;

• keeping cost and bulk down;

• marking permanent notes in pencil.

Paper should be protected from prolonged rain, surf spray and pack moisture.

Waterproof Tyvek

Best for:

• exposed coastal weather;

• repeated folding;

• outdoor education;

• field teams;

• walkers who expect rain or rough handling.

Tyvek is particularly useful for detailed WA Topo sheets used repeatedly in the field.

Laminated

Best for:

• vehicle use;

• office planning;

• group briefings;

• writing and wiping clean;

• repeated handling;

• wall display.

Large laminated topo sheets are durable but less convenient to fold into a walking pack.

Guidebook

Best for:

• detailed preparation;

• written route interpretation;

• staged itineraries;

• regional background;

• day-walk selection.

Protect it from water if carried in the field.

Current Information Matters More Than Printed Distance

The Cape to Cape landscape changes.

Storms alter beaches.

River mouths open and close.

Cliffs erode.

Fires and prescribed burns affect access.

Vegetation changes.

Tracks are maintained or realigned.

Temporary closures and diversions appear.

Trails WA warns that:

• beaches may be washed out after heavy storms;

• water crossings require care;

• the Margaret River mouth has an annual inland diversion during winter and spring;

• limestone cliffs can be unstable;

• current park alerts should be checked.

Before every walk:

1. check Trails WA’s Cape to Cape Track page;

2. check DBCA Park Alerts;

3. review the current DBCA route dataset if using digital route files;

4. follow official signs and local instructions where they differ from an older printed line;

5. confirm transport, water and accommodation information directly;

6. carry enough navigation redundancy for the planned section.

A printed map records the most authoritative information available at publication.

It cannot predict the next storm, closure or seasonal diversion.

Use it with current information.

Why Paper Maps Still Matter on the Cape to Cape Track

The Cape to Cape is not the most remote walk in Western Australia.

That does not make a phone infallible.

A phone depends on:

• battery power;

• functioning hardware;

• an undamaged screen;

• downloaded map data;

• readable display in sun and rain;

• correct GPS settings;

• the device not being lost;

• the user understanding what the screen is showing.

Paper provides:

• immediate regional context;

• a large view of the next section;

• visible access roads and alternatives;

• a shared planning surface for a group;

• backup when electronics fail;

• no dependence on charging or mobile coverage.

Digital mapping provides:

• precise position;

• live track recording;

• convenient zooming;

• downloadable route data;

• current information when connectivity is available.

The strongest system uses both.

Read:

• GPS vs Paper Maps: Why Paper Maps Still Matter in a Digital World;

• How to Read a Map: A Guide to Finding Your Way Without the Sat Nav.

Why Buy Cape to Cape Maps from Mapworld?

Mapworld is based in Western Australia and stocks a broad range of local mapping.

For the Cape to Cape journey, that range includes:

• the dedicated Track map;

• the current guidebook;

• WA Topo 25 maps;

• WA Topo 50 maps;

• WA Topo 100 maps;

• folded South West touring maps;

• road and track atlases;

• laminated regional planning maps;

• wall maps;

• compasses and navigation accessories.

Browse:

• Western Australia Maps, Guides and Road Atlases;

• Western Australia 1:25,000 Topographic Maps;

• Western Australia 1:50,000 Topographic Maps;

• Western Australia 1:100,000 Topographic Maps;

• Western Australia Wall Maps.

Related Mapworld Articles

Continue planning with:

• Best Maps for the Bibbulmun Track;

• Best Maps for the Munda Biddi Trail;

• How to Choose Topographic Maps for Western Australia;

• Best Wall Maps of Western Australia;

• GPS vs Paper Maps: Why Paper Maps Still Matter;

• How to Read a Map;

• What Size Wall Map Do I Need?;

• Top 10 Things To Do in Margaret River.

The Bibbulmun and Munda Biddi guides are especially useful for understanding how route-specific maps, broader South West mapping, topographic sheets and wall maps work together across Western Australia’s long-trail network.

Complete Featured Cape to Cape Map Directory

Track Maps and Guides

• Cape to Cape Track Map

• Cape to Cape Track Guidebook – 9th Edition

WA Topographic Maps

• WA Topo 25 product page

• WA Topo 25 collection

• WA Topo 50 product page

• WA Topo 50 collection

• WA Topo 100 product page

• WA Topo 100 collection

Regional Touring Maps and Atlases

• South West Western Australia Hema Map

• South West Corner Western Australia QPA Map

• Roads & Tracks of Western Australia QPA

• Western Australia map collection

Wall Maps

• South West Western Australia Hema Supermap

• South West Western Australia Hema Laminated Wall Map

• Western Australia wall-map collection

Official Track Information

• Cape to Cape Track – Trails WA

• DBCA Long Trails route dataset

• DBCA Park Alerts

• Friends of the Cape to Cape Track

Final Verdict

Best Overall Cape to Cape Map

Choose:

Cape to Cape Track Map

Its 1:50,000 scale, complete route coverage and portable format make it the best single map for walking the established Track.

Best Detailed Planning Guide

Choose:

Cape to Cape Track Guidebook – 9th Edition

Its 21 topographic maps at 1:25,000, written route notes and regional information make it the strongest preparation resource.

Best Detailed Topographic Maps

Choose:

WA Topo 25 Landgate maps

Select the relevant named sheets from Yallingup-NW in the north to Leeuwin-NE in the south.

For an uninterrupted 1:25,000 corridor based on the current route alignment, twelve sheets are involved.

Best 1:50,000 Map

Choose:

Cape to Cape Track Map

It is purpose-built for the route and more useful to walkers than a generic topographic sheet.

Best Use of WA Topo 100

Use the WA Topo 100 collection for broader professional or regional work where current indexed coverage exists.

Do not use 1:100,000 as the primary Cape to Cape walking map.

Best Regional Touring Map

Choose:

South West Western Australia Hema Map

It supplies the broader road and regional context that the Track map deliberately leaves out.

Best Detailed Road-Access Map

Choose:

South West Corner Western Australia QPA Map

Its 1:170,000 regional coverage is especially useful for day-walk access, transfers and support vehicles.

Best Wall Map

Choose:

South West Western Australia Hema Supermap

It provides the best large-format view of the wider region for home, club, school and tourism planning.

Best Complete Cape to Cape Map Kit

For a serious end-to-end walk, combine:

• the dedicated 1:50,000 Track map;

• the ninth-edition guidebook;

• a South West Hema or QPA touring map;

• offline digital route data;

• current official alerts;

• compass and independent power;

• relevant WA Topo 25 sheets only where the project requires additional local detail;

• a South West wall map at home for complete-route planning.

The Cape to Cape begins beside the lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste.

It crosses headlands.

Beaches.

Heath.

River mouths.

Karri forest.

Limestone.

Granite.

It reaches Cape Leeuwin at the far south-western corner of the continent.

One map shows the line.

The right collection of maps reveals the landscape around it.

Written by Christopher O’Keeffe
Managing Director of Mapworld and specialist in maps, navigation and cartographic products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best map for the Cape to Cape Track?

The Cape to Cape Track Map is the best single map for walking the established route.

It covers the complete Track from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin at 1:50,000 scale.

What is the best Cape to Cape guidebook?

The Cape to Cape Track Guidebook – 9th Edition is the most detailed planning companion.

It includes 21 full-page maps at 1:25,000, route notes, access information and regional background.

How long is the Cape to Cape Track?

Trails WA currently lists the Track at approximately 130 kilometres.

Other published maps and guidebooks may give slightly different figures because route definitions, measurement methods and realignments vary.

Where does the Cape to Cape Track start and finish?

It starts at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse near Dunsborough and finishes at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse near Augusta.

How long does it take to walk?

Trails WA lists five to seven days for an end-to-end walk.

Short sections and day walks are also possible.

What scale is the Cape to Cape Track Map?

The dedicated map is at 1:50,000 scale.

One centimetre on the map represents 500 metres on the ground.

Is 1:50,000 detailed enough for the Cape to Cape?

Yes.

It provides an effective balance between terrain detail, route clarity and the amount of Track shown.

For closer local study, use the guidebook’s 1:25,000 maps or relevant Landgate WA Topo 25 sheets.

Which 1:25,000 topo maps cover the Cape to Cape?

The current route intersects:

• Yallingup-NW 1930-IV-NW;

• Yallingup-SW 1930-IV-SW;

• Clairault-SE 1830-I-SE;

• Mentelle-NE 1830-II-NE;

• Cowaramup-NW 1930-III-NW;

• Mentelle-SE 1830-II-SE;

• Cowaramup-SW 1930-III-SW;

• Karridale-NW 1929-IV-NW;

• Tooker-NE 1829-I-NE;

• Karridale-SW 1929-IV-SW;

• Leeuwin-NW 1929-III-NW;

• Leeuwin-NE 1929-III-NE.

Check the current route and index before ordering because a permanent realignment can alter the required sheet list.

Do I need all twelve WA Topo 25 sheets?

Not for an ordinary end-to-end walk.

The dedicated Track map and guidebook are much more practical.

Order only the relevant WA Topo 25 sheets when you need detailed adjoining terrain, local fieldwork coverage or a complete specialist corridor.

Why do some short sections require an adjacent topo sheet?

The route runs close to several topographic sheet boundaries.

It briefly clips adjoining sheets such as Cowaramup-NW and Tooker-NE.

Are WA Topo 25 maps waterproof?

Mapworld offers paper, laminated and waterproof Tyvek options.

Tyvek is the best choice for repeated field use in wet or exposed conditions.

Are WA Topo 50 maps useful for the Cape to Cape?

The scale is useful, but the purpose-made Cape to Cape Track Map is the preferred 1:50,000 product for the walking route.

Use the Landgate WA Topo 50 collection for other indexed project areas.

Are WA Topo 100 maps detailed enough for walking?

Not as the primary navigation map for the Cape to Cape.

At 1:100,000, one centimetre represents one kilometre. The scale is better suited to broader regional and professional planning.

Does every part of Western Australia have a current WA Topo 50 or 100 sheet?

Landgate describes WA Topo 50 and WA Topo 100 as selected state-wide coverage.

Check the current index or contact Mapworld before ordering.

What is the best map for driving between Cape to Cape sections?

The South West Corner Western Australia QPA Map is particularly useful for detailed access.

The South West Western Australia Hema Map is the best broad touring choice.

What is the best map for a support vehicle?

Use the dedicated Track map with the QPA South West Corner map.

Add Roads & Tracks of Western Australia if the support journey extends more widely across WA.

What is the best wall map for planning the Track?

The South West Western Australia Hema Supermap provides the most useful large-format regional context.

Can a wall map show the Track line in detail?

A regional wall map is best for context, roads and itinerary planning.

Use the dedicated Track map beside it for the precise route.

Do I need a paper map if I have the route on my phone?

Yes.

Offline digital mapping is excellent for position checking, but a paper map provides broader context and independent backup.

Can I download the official route?

The DBCA Long Trails dataset provides downloadable Cape to Cape route data.

Check the update date before relying on a downloaded file.

Can the printed route change?

Yes.

Storms, erosion, river conditions, fire, maintenance and permanent realignments can alter the route.

Check Trails WA and DBCA Park Alerts before every walk.

Is the Margaret River mouth always crossed on the same line?

No.

Trails WA advises that an inland diversion operates during winter and spring. Follow the current marked route and official instructions.

Where can I buy Cape to Cape Track maps in Australia?

Mapworld stocks the dedicated Cape to Cape map, current guidebook, Landgate WA topographic maps, South West touring maps, atlases and wall maps with Australia-wide delivery.

Browse the Western Australia map collection.

Written by Christopher O’Keeffe
Managing Director of Mapworld and specialist in maps, navigation and cartographic products.

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