Great South Western Walk Hiking Trip

This is a section of the walk that suits 3 nights camping as it is a complete loop. Hiking is along beach, dunes, rocky cliff tops, and through Australian bush. Two of the days are 20 kms each, which is a fair effort for some people with heavy packs. Animals seen: Kangaroos (lots), wallabies, seals, many types of sea birds. possums and snakes.

Itinerary:

Night 1: Drive to Swan Lake and camp over night

Day 1: (20 kms)
The Swan Lake camp isn’t much to look at and only has bore water but is a good place to start the loop as you can drive and park there.

Walk along the beach of Descartes bay which last for about 10 kms. It was definitely fun hiking along the beach and the weather was excellent for it. I always tried to walk on the firmer sand where the waves had just left to minimise getting tired.

At the end, climb a big dune that was well marked and get onto some tracks at the other side. After a short while, the track will climb onto the cliff top. It’s a nice change of scenery. Waves really crash against that coast and there is very different vegetation and lots of birds to be seen.

The next camp, The Springs, is excellent and has shelter and tank water.
Night 2: The Springs Camp

Day 2: (12 + 5 kms)
The hike to Tarragal camp is only 12 kms, so consider doing a walk to the blowholes and back to camp in the morning without the packs.

The days hike back tracks a little way to some open caves. After exploring them, there is a fairly steep climb through some private land with some cows for company.  After a reasonable time, you will enter some natural bush with a good path through. There is a bit more climbing to do along this path although it is not overly long and once you cross a road you are at the camp site.

This site is also excellent and has shelter and tank water as well.
Night 3: Tarragal Camp

Day 3: (20 kms)
Although some people say this leg takes a long time, it took us under 7 hours to complete and I found it fairly easy. Start the day by doing some very gradual climbing through bush up Mount Richmond. We got to the top pretty quickly. There is a lookout tower at the top although the trees are very tall and the view is partially blocked. From then on its downhill all the way through bush for half of it and then along a bit of road at the end. I think they could cut a track through the bush at the end instead of making people walk along the road at the last third of this leg but that is my suggestion.

You are then back to swan lake and can drive out and have a well earned rest!


Other things to see if you have time:
Princess Margaret Rose Cave. We went and had a look on the first day before setting up camp. Well worth it!

Left in the log book!