A contentious campsite among Cape to Cape hikers – you’ll either love or hate Deepdene Campsite!
Most who love it, love it because of how quiet and sheltered it is. It’s the perfect spot to set up camp and relax after a big day of walking. Those who hate it say they don’t like it because of all the mozzies, bugs, and the fact that it’s ‘in a bit of a hole’.
It’s closed off to all other campers, meaning it’s inaccessible to vehicles. This makes for a friendly atmosphere with a campground full of happy hikers and hilarious stories of misadventure.
When we camped at Deepdene, we walked from Hamelin Bay and back again to make a nice easy overnighter. It’s also the last campsite for southbound Cape to Capers, with just one huge stretch of soft white sand between them and victory at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse!
Need to Know
The Deepdene Campsite has all the basic amenities a hiker could need…nothing fancy but it does the trick. Here’s what you need to know:
Water: 1 rainwater tank
Toilet: 1 long drop (stocked with toilet paper)
Campsites: 2 main areas (can fit lots of people)
Access: From Deepdene Beach (Cape to Cape Walking Track). No vehicle access.
Booking: No bookings required
Fees: No fees apply
Other: 2 picnic tables, hidden under peppermint trees, set back about 500 metres from the beach.
Distances on the Cape to Cape Track:
Here are some of the key trail distances that’ll hopefully help in planning your trip. At the end of a hot day in the sun, it truly felt like forever to walk through the dunes and coastal heath to get to the campsite. Don’t forget to save some energy to get up the steep sand dune and through the last little bit of the walk from the main track to the campsite.
Cape to Cape Main Trail (turnoff) to Deepdene Campsite: 500 metres
Hamelin Bay to Deepdene Campsite: 8.9 km
Deepdene Campsite to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse: 15.8 km
Water Availability
Just like the other campgrounds on the Cape to Cape trail, there’s just one rainwater tank located next to the toilet. Luckily for us, it had plenty of water in it when we visited in September. Of course, how full the tank is at any time depends on recent rainfall and how busy the trail is.
Many hikers have been caught out during summer, arriving at a campsite to an empty rainwater tank. So, make sure you plan ahead and carry plenty of water with you if you’re walking during summer or dry periods. The “Cape to Cape Track (Western Australia)” Facebook page is an awesome community of hikers who are constantly asking and answering questions about the track. Check it out to find recent information on water availability at Deepdene.
Mozzies & Bugs
Buzzing with wildlife, and of course so many mosquitos, Deepdene will keep you on your toes once the sun goes down. It’s sheltered under the peppermint trees out of the sun and wind, so naturally the bugs like it too.
We know that camper’s midnight is when the sun goes down anyway, but if you forget your bug spray it’s going to be an even earlier night!
Snakes, bobtails, and other lizards are common on the trail and at campsites during the summer – so watch your step and keep your tent zipped up at all times. When we visited in September, we were treated to some happy little frogs and plenty of busy birds.
What we love about Deepdene Campsite
I’ve said it already, but what I love about Deepdene is that it’s sheltered so nicely from the wind and sun. It is a perfect spot to hide if it’s blowing a gale down at the beach, especially if you arrive with daytime to spare.
I also love that it’s closed to all other campers – it has a really nice community feel about it. The other great things is that it requires no planning or prior booking. Free of cost, no booking needed, no stress to be had! If your plans change during your Cape to Cape, you won’t have to worry about your night at Deepdene.
Perhaps the absolute best part about staying at Deepdene was strolling back out to the beach to watch the sunset. We sat on top of the dune and listened to wave after wave roll in, watching as the sky faded from blue to orange, pink and purple before finally giving way to a dusky blue night.
What could bring you unstuck at Deepdene Campsite
There are a few quirks to Deepdene that I’ve already mentioned, but something we found a little bit awkward at first was figuring out where to pitch our tent! There’s two main camping ‘sites’ – which are just large-ish open areas, each with a picnic table. There wasn’t a whole lot of perfectly flat ground, and a few other people had already taken the best spots – so we just had to pitch our tent in the middle of the camp. Someone who arrived after us ended up pitching their tent on what used to be the access track. This isn’t really a problem since cars can’t access the campsite, but it was just a little bit of an awkward layout overall.
Here’s a few things to keep in mind that could derail your night at Deepdene Campsite:
- Arriving Late (awkward campsite layout)
- Not bringing mozzie nets and bug spray
- Relying on the water in the tank
- Could be a bit swampy in a heavy downpour (low lying ground and a bit of a basin)
Although these things could be a bit of a nuisance at the time, they’ll at least make for a great story later!
Planning your first overnight hike?
If you’re new to multi-day hiking and aren’t sure what you should pack, never fear. Read this guide to find all the things you’ll need (and all the things you won’t), on your first overnight hike.
Looking for another epic hike in WA’s south-west?
If you’re up for an adventure and want to discover one of WA’s most unique hikes, Albany’s Granite Skywalk is where it’s at. Check out this guide to find 25 Vital Tips for Hiking the epic Granite Skywalk (Castle Rock).