Bald Head Walk Trail
Torndirrup National Park
Directions - From the centre of Albany take Frenchman Bay Road into Torndirrup National Park until you reach Salmon Hole Road. Take a right here and then take a left onto Murray Road. The Bald Head Walk Trail starts at the top of a gravel road that comes off Murray Road (it is well signposted), where you'll find a small car park.
2024 Update - The Bald Head Walk Trail is closed from March 2024 for several months due to work being undertaken to improve the entry road, car park and toilet facilities. See this page for more details. If you're looking for another hike in Albany to do then check out my guide to the Best Hikes Near Albany.
The Hike - One of the best day hikes in Western Australia, Bald Head is a trail that I first hiked way back in 2015 when it was only known to locals and the only information you could find online was a short write up with a couple of photos. Fast forward to late 2020 and thanks to the rise of Instagram, an increase in popularity of hiking and a travel ban forcing many people to explore their own backyards, Bald Head is a mainstay on a lot of the WA tourism accounts. Over the years my original page for this hike has received a bit of traffic as it's well searched for online but as with most of my early posts, it didn't have a lot of depth and the photos really only showcased the first half of the hike.
With that in mind, it was always my plan to completely re-do the page and hike this one again on my Spring 2020 Road Trip. With many other hikes planned for my Albany leg of the trip, I moved this one to my last full day here because I wanted the best day of weather put aside for my trip to Two Peoples Bay and Mount Martin. Coincidently this also meant that I would repeat the same experience that I had on my first trip here where I would spend the morning at my accommodation enjoying a cooked breakfast and Game One of the NBA Finals. Due to the madness of 2020, the dates were a little bit different with the NBA season being postponed and then finally completed in October instead of mid-June. This year it was the Miami Heat facing the LeBron led Lakers and after a pretty entertaining start it all fizzled out when Goran Dragić and Bam Adebayo left the game with injuries and the Lakers won comfortably. With a full belly, a few coffees under my belt and the game finished, I packed up my gear and drove out to Torndirrup National Park to tackle what has been a favourite hike of mine since I first visited way back in 2015. I was last here in 2019 after finishing my sectional end to end of the Bibbulmun Track but only walked a short section before deciding to visit the nearby Peak Head Walk Trail as I could do that one in its entirety before sunset (and what a good decision that was).
Reaching the car park I was a little bemused that it was very busy and in the end I had to park about halfway down the entry road due to the lack of space. As I said before, it's not surprising given the popularity of Bald Head these days and it was during the September school holidays so understandable that it was busy. The weather for my visit was not ideal thanks to the onset of some cold, windy and wet conditions that would last the duration of my trip along the south coast. While it wasn't raining, the grey conditions posed some issues with dull lighting and the fierce wind didn't help when photographing the wildflowers. Nevertheless, I did say in my old post that I thought this would still be a great experience if the weather was terrible so today I would be testing that theory out to a certain degree. The trail head was a little busy with a couple of groups getting in the way of a clear photo (first photo above is from the finish) and I really hoped that I would get some clear stretches to enjoy the trail to myself. Starting the uphill slog, it's a pretty brutal way to begin the trail but is a good indication of what to expect for the whole 12.4km return trip. Enjoying the Peppermint lined undergrowth, this spot is really good for wildflowers and orchids with a few good finds straight away thanks to some Cowslip Orchids and Milk Maids.
Reaching the granite slopes of Isthmus Hill pretty quickly, I was starting to feel the excitement and sense of wonder that this trail provides. The quick 60m vertical ascent gives you some stunning views looking back towards Albany and down at Salmon Holes Beach, a popular spot to visit thanks to the fishing and sheltered location. Knowing what was coming and that the views here would be much better on the return leg thanks to sun being lower in the sky, I skipped across the granite towards the location that is the most photographed of the entire hike. Weaving through some undergrowth, I slowed down here to take in the wildflowers lining the trail that included the only Donkey Orchids I saw on the trail. Rounding a corner, I got my first glimpse of the money shot with the full length view of the Flinders Peninsula visible. Last time I was here I remember being completely in awe of this spot again and thinking to myself that the magic had not disappeared with time. Visiting trails again after exploring a wide collection of hikes can sometimes bring them down a notch or two when you start comparing them to other experiences but Bald Head had lost none of the lustre.
From the top of the hill here you can see the trail snaking up and over the limestone ridges of the peninsula and it looks simply stunning. To be able to trace in your mind where you will be headed in the next half hour or so filled me with delight and stopping every couple of steps to photograph it from a different angle did nothing to tamper that. Descending down the hill, the banksias through here are a real feature and I was lucky to find some still in flower. They provide a great foreground object to some of the wider shots of the water on either side and when you get up close to one, they are beautifully intricate in their shapes and colours. Reaching the bottom of the hill (you drop about 80m vertically here), the bulk of the peninsula ahead is quite a formidable sight. You get to a point where there is a trail junction and the opportunity to access the beach to the right. I figured if I had enough time on the way back I would visit but for now I was keen to keep going while the weather was still good. Around this point you start to get views of the great granite wall to your right as it extends from Isthmus Hill down into the ocean below. It's a sizeable piece of bare rock and one that is a feature I photographed from various angles all along the hike.
While the cloudy conditions weren't working in my favour for the wide shots, a small ray of sunshine in the distance brightened up my day. Having come here to re-shoot the trail in 2020 spec (basically lots of photos with more words to match) with my new camera, my big worry was that I'd get gloomy conditions that didn't really have any pop to them. The wide shots of the peninsula stretching out are best taken when the sun is shining and there is a bright blue sky to liven things up. Unfortunately it wasn't the day for it but I was still enjoying myself as I began the climb up towards the first of the limestone peaks that line the ridge. Erosion has become a bit of an issue on this trail as I don't think it gets a lot of maintenance love from Parks and Wildlife and climbing up the steps here you can see evidence of that. While it's nothing serious, at times you are walking in the middle of a deep-ish channel and you can see people have started walking on either side above it. This isn't great for the trail but I believe there is some money being invested here soon to upgrade the track and deal with the erosion issues. Reaching the top of this climb, I was rewarded with some really stunning views looking back towards Isthmus Hill and the bare slab of granite leading into the water. One of my favourite shots of this hike is a zoomed in photo looking towards Salmon Holes where the bare granite looks like a whale sliding back into the water.
Being up high now, you get some excellent views looking all around but just up ahead you get a sensory break when you head into a Banksia thicket and the views disappear. This is no bad thing as it provides something different to look at and also breaks up the hike into separate sections. The sandy single track leads you through the undergrowth and it marked a return of the wildflowers, something I didn't really get to experience on my first time out here thanks to it being early winter. I always enjoy slowing down and photographing the wildflowers so was having a nice time looking out for different species that included an Acacia, Showy Dryandra, Rose Coneflower, Pink Fairy Orchids and more stunning Cut-leaf Banksia (the brilliant purple/red coloured ones). Popping out of the thicket, you are hugging the northern edge of the ridge and the views looking across King George Sound towards Albany and Gull Rock National Park start to become the main feature. The cliffs below look superb and I love seeing the little triangular section jutting out into the water that is Limestone Head. The turquoise water below was looking a treat when the sun eventually poked through the cloud cover and it still looked like the Italian Riviera from certain angles. The views keep getting better as you rise up a small hill and catch sight of the namesake of the hike, Bald Head. You got distant glimpses of it earlier but from this position you really get a sense of scale and zoomed right in, it looked pretty spectacular.
Descending down into a small valley, it isn't long before you are staring up at your next climb that will take you up to another rocky outcrop. Here I ran into a couple that were doing some filming so I awkwardly hurried up the limestone incline to get out of their way. Turns out the guy wanted to be filmed running between the two high points so I got out of shot and watched him do his thing while also taking the opportunity to have a bit of a break. There are a couple of nice spots up here to sit down on the limestone and marvel at the great views so I did just that. The girl who was filming wished me a happy hike before also running down to the lower peak so I gathered my pack and left. Given how full the car park was, I think I had been passed by most of the occupants fairly early on so by my rough calculations, I would have the bulk of the latter half to myself. With the end of the hike now looking much closer, there is actually a fair amount of hiking to go through some varied terrain. One of my regrets I had looking back at my previous post for this hike was the lack of photos from this point onwards. Back then I only had a small memory card so I was limited to around 250 shots and it's a huge relief to be able to have freedom on taking as many photos as I like these days. Moving forward, you get one last little section above Limestone Head before ducking inland through another Banksia thicket. Again it was a case of enjoying what was in front of me and photographing the wildflowers along this brief stretch.
I think if this hike was all along exposed coastal scrub then it might not be as enjoyable but for me there is a joy to passing through these enclosed sections as it makes you feel like you're going through another level, escaping further away from civilisation into a different world. That illusion was broken slightly when I passed another couple heading the other way and they had an air of familiarity to them. It would be confirmed later that night after seeing their stories on Instagram and exchanging a few messages along the lines of "I thought that was you". It was a couple I follow on the socials that would usually be traipsing around Tuscany at this time of year but thanks to the Rona travel restrictions, were out exploring WA. Popping out of the undergrowth and presented with the sight of a granite section leading up the hill was a welcome sight as I'd forgotten about this enjoyable stretch. Following the cairns, this marks the start of the amazing views looking out towards Michaelsea and Breaksea Islands, the latter home to a lighthouse that makes a great feature to photograph. Making this scene even better is the presence of Mount Gardner in the background, a dramatic addition to an already impressive landscape. This area is also home to some stunted eucalyptus trees and the combination of granite, trees, water, islands and distant mountains is a particularly powerful image as you're walking through here.
Reaching the highest point of the peninsula at 223m ASL, the landscape changes once again. This time you are met with soft sand and a jagged moonscape of limestone. From here it's a long downhill section to reach the area before Bald Head and it's a fun rollercoaster of scenery. I passed a couple up here having a break as it looked like the guy was struggling a bit with his fitness while the girl was giving him a pep talk. This is no walk in the park and it catches quite a few people out from what I've seen in the Facebook groups so make sure you have a reasonable level of fitness before attempting it. The sandy section is brief but fun and soon you reach the first of many rocky platforms. Now exposed a lot more to the elements thanks to this last section copping the brunt of the southerly winds, it was a case of watching were I was stepping as I was quite frequently being blown off course mid step. I would just have to deal with the wind and soldier on, something that was very easy thanks to the stunning scenery ahead. This was one of my favourite sections on my first visit but I had forgotten how beautiful it was in person. With amazing views on both sides, you pick your way through the boulders and at one point you rise up a little hill and go right through the middle of a couple of large examples.
With the sun now well and truly out, the scene had a crispness to it as the vistas overlooking King George Sound and the twin islands really started to pop. I had to stop here and just soak it all in for a moment because how often are you in places this beautiful and this empty. Following the cairns as they weave through various platforms, dips and paths, I soon found myself on one of the most photogenic spots on the whole track. A solid chunk of flat rock stretches out towards the horizon with a stunning orange and pink hue to it. I could be obvious here and say something about it looking like the prow of ship extending into the ocean but it reminds me of the Venator Class Star Destroyer from the Clone Wars TV series. The navigation cairns extend along the face of the rock and I must have looked like a drunk sailor walking down it thanks to the strong gusts of wind blowing me off course several times. Crouching down to get some stability, I stopped a few times to photograph the cairns as they have a fascinating colour and softness to them. At the end of this platform the views looking in every direction are pretty cool. Bald Head briefly disappears but ahead is the expanse of the Southern Ocean, to the right is the granite dome of Peak Head in the distance and to the left is a large chunk of granite forming a rounded dome. Reaching the edge of the steep hill leading down to the finishing point, it was a nice return to a thicket of Banksias that had a gnarly vibe to them thanks to the twisted shapes and weathered look.
After walking through a little channel of eroded track that is a little teaser of what to expect very soon, you reach the edge of hill and catch sight of Bald Head again. Standing proud as it extends into the water, the end is finally near but it still requires a bit of a scramble down a steep hill. This is the location of the famous eroded section that I believe is slated for a serious upgrade in coming years to address the issue. Before I came here I had heard stories of two metre drop offs and it almost being unpassable but it was exactly as I remember it. That's not to say it's a problem because it is but if anything it felt easier this time around. The channels are quite high in places so there is a risk of collapse, which is the most likely reason why they are looking into improvements (along with the environmental concerns). Successfully negotiating the eroded hill, I found myself on a rocky flat with only the small granite mound of Bald Head in front of me. This last little section continues to feel special thanks to the rock gardens that almost look like manicured Japanese creations and the contrast of some raw coastline on either side. To the north are the great views looking towards those beautiful mountain/ocean vistas along with a sheltered bay that had an interesting feature hidden away. In the fold of the rock face where it forms a 90 degree angle is what looks like the entrance to a cave and if I ever need to hide a horcrux then I know exactly where to go.
On the exposed southern side was a real show of nature thanks to the strong winds and pounding waves. After a short section of undergrowth, I popped out on the edge of the water with views looking back towards the weathered southern flank of the peninsula. The real treat was the small rocky headland that seemed to be copping the brunt of the waves. It was pointed out to me before writing this post that it is like a mini version of The Gap and I can see that now, although the trail doesn't get you as close due to obvious safety reasons. I stood there in the wind for a while watching the waves crash into the base and produce plenty of white wash that sprayed out in all different directions. There is a short 40m vertical climb until you reach the top of Bald Head and over the back you'll find the suitably large rock cairn. This marks the official turnaround point of the trail and there should be a container with a log book to sign. I found the best spot to shield myself from the wind and signed my name. Wanting to enjoy this spot for a little bit longer but not wanting to be buffeted by the wind while I was sitting down, I ended up exploring the lower slopes of the dome to find a more sheltered spot. Sitting out in the middle of the rock gardens, I put on my jacket and tucked into a protein bar that I was really wishing was something warmer.
Hunched over and staring out into the void of the misty horizon, this was just a nice place to be. My gaze was scanning the water as it was still the end of the whale watching season but with all the white caps around, seeing one would be a pretty good effort. After enjoying my snack I got up and had a bit more of a look around, moving to near the cairn to catch a glimpse of the rocky platform in the water below. With barely enough rock poking above the water, this is a fun spot to photograph as even in calm conditions there will always be some commotion in the ocean stirring up the water. I love watching the waves pound against the granite of the WA coastline as the contrast of colours between the white spray, unsettled turquoise water and deeper blue of the surrounding ocean makes for some dramatic photos. Starting to feel a little cold after being blasted by wind for the past 20 minutes at the cairn, I had one more item to tick off on this hike. One photo I have from my first visit was a timed shot of me staring out into the distance that I really enjoyed so I wanted to recreate it. I really thought it was from Bald Head and I should have checked before coming out but it turned out to be from the limestone section near the highest point. So much has changed over the years but also not a whole lot when I compared the two photos.
I still have the same backpack, the t-shirt was a little different but I still rep dark green Kathmandu hiking pants. On the other hand I've hiked many thousands of kilometres, taken over a hundred thousand photos and have grown up a lot through my various adventures. Deciding to head back, I had plenty of time to reach the finish before it got dark so promised myself that I'd slow down and enjoy what I hoped to be some nice afternoon light. While some people don't enjoy out and back trails as there is the thought that you just see the same things twice, I really enjoy seeing the trail from a different perspective. Bald Head is one of the better trails for this as there is so much to see all along the 6.2kms that there is always something new to experience. It also allowed me to find wildflowers that I may have missed on the way out and reaching the start of the steep climb back up the hill, I had already found a couple that I didn't see heading in the other direction. The eroded hill wasn't too bad and I stopped quite a few times to take in the great views of Bald Head along with spotting a cool creepy crawly in the white sands that had a funky pattern that looked like it belonged on a rug from the 70s.
Walking back in this direction, the southern side looked absolutely stunning with the sun backlighting the steep sides of the peninsula. The blown out dune section was looking especially nice and made for some pretty moody photos. Luckily the views looking north and east were still fairly sunny and bright so continued to be as photogenic as ever. Reaching the top of the Venator rock platform, the wind was at least on my back for the most part so I could slow down and enjoy the experience without a howling breeze blasting my face. Counting myself as being very fortunate to have the last half of the hike all to myself, I did question how many people would have seen the weather forecast and decided that strong winds wasn't going to be an enjoyable experience. Happy to be all alone for this one, I made it through the limestone section and up the sandy tracks to the highest part of the trail. From here I would be getting some pretty awesome views looking back towards Albany and some epic vistas of the various bumps of the peninsula. With the waters over King George Sound clearing up, the photos looked a little crisper and I could see glimpses of the Stirling Range to the north.
Descending down the various limestone ridges, I was enjoying being out of the wind, even more so when I was walking through the Banksia and Peppermint thickets. One thing I couldn't get a photo of was the birds that were loving the protected conditions. They flitted around everywhere but wouldn't stay still enough in one spot for me to capture them. Descending down to the lowest point, I started to see more people coming the other way including a group of young people that would have to be hiking at a good pace to make it to the end and back before sunset (they ended up turning back and overtaking me again). Reaching the lowest point, I really didn't want this hike to end so slowed up even more as I climbed up the last hill. As I looked back it was nice to see a good send-off thanks to a pretty bright rainbow in the distance. Taking a last glimpse at the pretty views of the peninsula stretching out, I headed into the undergrowth and towards Isthmus Hill. With god rays shining through the clouds looking towards Albany and a golden hue to the sky, this wasn't a bad way to finish the hike. I took a moment on the granite to appreciate the beauty before a brief sun shower hit. Finishing the easy walk down the hill with the sun streaming through the Peppermints capped off what was a memorable return to one of my favourite places in WA.
Final Thoughts – My big worry heading back here to do the whole trail again for the website was that over the course of many years hiking, I had built this one up too much because it was one of the best trails I did early on.
I can report that this was not the case and the magic that I first experienced was still there and more.
When people ask for recommendations for hikes around Albany, this is always the first to be mentioned and I'm now happy that my page reflects the whole experience in much better detail.
The combination of a wild limestone and granite peninsula, epic coastal scenery with 360 degree views from almost every point on the trail, wildflowers galore from winter through to late spring and a fantastic workout make this an extremely enjoyable experience.
There isn't much left to say about this hike, it's one of the best day hikes in WA, arguably even the best and if you have a reasonable level of fitness then this should be on your Albany itinerary.
Get out there and experience it!
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