WALKING THE COASTLINE OF Fitzgerald River NP

Traversing the Fitzgerald River National Park’s spectacular coastline, this adventurous and sometimes rugged six-day hike offers some of Australia’s finest coastal walking. Located in WA’s South West, and starting at Bremer Bay and ending in the quaint coastal town of Hopetoun, it wanders along white sandy beaches, passes over limestone dunes, traverses gently undulating plains, negotiates rugged quartzite ranges, and hugs the dramatic rocky coastline. And all the way, you’ll have expansive views across the Southern Ocean.

The scenery, however, is just one of the walk’s draws; the nearly 300,000ha park itself is the core of the internationally significant Fitzgerald Biosphere, a 1.53 million hectare area recognised as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Nearly 1,900 plant species are found in the area, of which 75 exist nowhere else in the world. The marine life is rich, too, and some of it—like migratory humpback, minke, orca and southern right whales—can be seen from the pristine beaches and viewpoints.

The walk is also a journey through billions of years of geological history. Inland, the coastal peaks, collectively known as the Barrens, dominate the horizon. Their prominence derives from their quartz structure, making them able to weather the 1,300 million years of erosion that have occurred since they were formed. Unique sections of limestone cliffs, as well as ancient wave-cut platforms found 100m above current day sea level, give you a truly singular experience.

Be warned, however; the walk is not always easy. While there are sections of marked trail and easy beach walking, there are also significant sections of