D’entracasteaux NP Wilderness Walk

[Ollybolly]

Hi all,

Later this month I’m starting a walk from Augusta east towards Walpole along the coast. I plan to complete it in 2-3 stretches during 2024.

If anybody has done all or part of this walk i’d love to hear about your experiences and if you have an advice on what to expect, what to take, how to prepare etc. I have done a fair bit of walking before, and spend time on the south coast often, but this part of the coast is very tucked away except for locals, fishermen and 4wd enthusiasts.

There was some good discussion on the WA Walk Masterplan thread. I’m just seeing if anybody else has knowledge to share before I head off.

[Aushiker]

There was some good discussion on the WA Walk Masterplan thread. I’m just seeing if anybody else has knowledge to share before I head off.

Do you by chance have a link to this thread? My searching is not coming up with the goods. TIA.

[north-north-west]

There was some good discussion on the WA Walk Masterplan thread. I’m just seeing if anybody else has knowledge to share before I head off.

Do you by chance have a link to this thread? My searching is not coming up with the goods. TIA.

https://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=28155

[Aushiker]

There was some good discussion on the WA Walk Masterplan thread. I’m just seeing if anybody else has knowledge to share before I head off.

Do you by chance have a link to this thread? My searching is not coming up with the goods. TIA.

https://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=28155

Thanks.

[Ollybolly]

Reposting to this more focused thread:
—
Hi all,
Just reporting that I recently returned from walking between Augusta and Windy Harbour. It was part one of my intended Augusta-Walpole D’Entracasteaux wild coast walk.
It was suitably wild and amazing. I did it with my son over 8 days. 135km of mostly firm and wide beach but some inland walking too. Many highlights, but I particularly liked the camps at Meerup River and Doggerup Creek. As predicted there isn’t much water to be found (not counting the rain!), and especially for the first half it’s advisable to carry 2-3 days water. I hope to provide a more detailed account soon.

Photo: Day 8. The final push looking east across Salmon Beach to Pt D’Entracasteaux.

[Eljimberino]

Hi - nice job. Do you have a map showing route and water locations please?

[Ollybolly]

Hi - nice job. Do you have a map showing route and water locations please?

Hi,
I’m putting together an account of the route, but that will take me a little time. In the meantime, here are the locations of where we camped plus some notes on where we found water to drink. In short, you may need to carry 1-2 days water for much of the walk. (apologies for the format - I couldn’t work out how to insert a table :-/)

Camp
Name
Distance from Start
Distance from last camp (km)
Location
Water notes
Camp 1
Elephant Bird
16
16
-34.315234°, 115.342575°
No reliable water after Augusta, but drinkable water was found in multiple puddles on a firm 4WD track near the camp. Short residency after rains (1-2 days probably).
Camp 2
28/5
The Lagoon
23.9
7.9
-34.344501°, 115.420592°
Actually camped several kms further as The lagoon was wild because of a storm. No drinking water.
Camp 3
29/5
Black Point
38.4
14.5
-34.415976°, 115.549339°
Excellent water from tanks at Black Point.
Camp 4
30/5
Donnelly River
55
16.6
-34.479442°, 115.670073°
Water by permission from huts at Donnelly River Mouth or in shallow creeks beside the Donnelly River. River is brackish.
Camp 5
31/5
Silver Mount
67.2
12.2
-34.559564°, 115.768576°
We actually camped near the Warren River, several kms further than this camp. No water. Warren is brackish and undrinkable.
Camp 6
1/6
Meerup River
82.2
15
-34.659101°, 115.881465°
Beautiful drinking water in Meerup River.
Camp 7
2/6
Doggerup Creek
101
18.8
-34.778548°, 115.979362°
Beautiful drinking water from Doggerup creek. Also in the approach to Doggerup Creek creeks around Malimup had plenty of water, though there was extensive pig damage so we chose not to drink.
End
3/6
Windy Harbour
115
14
-34.836538°, 116.030082°
Water available.

[Ollybolly]

Another photo from the walk - this time the camp at Doggerup Creek.