One part of southwestern Western Australia you can’t miss is Albany and Torndirrup National Park. It’s definitely one of the best stops on a road trip from Perth to Esperance. The Bald Head Trail is one of the top hikes you can do in the area – it’s one of my favorite hikes I’ve done in all of WA! Here’s my full guide for this amazing trail.

Starting the Bald Head Trail

The Bald Head hike has its own car park – pin the exact location on GoogleMaps so you know where to go! There is a short section of unsealed road to get here, but it’s suitable for 2WD vehicles. Just take your time around the potholes and on the corrugations. The walk is listed as 12.5km total, although my Strava read 13.7km at the end. I did 588 meters of elevation gain on the hike – it’s very undulating with lots of ups and downs! I did the hike in almost exactly 4 hours, at a pretty good pace; I’d say it’ll take 4-5 hours for people with a moderate fitness level.

Hiking poles will help you with undulations, but I actually found them difficult to use them on this trail. The material used for the path is like a grid, and the holes are just big enough for the end of a hiking pole – so it’s really awkward to use them on those surfaces. There is little to no shade on this hike, so be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat. It’s also best to start this hike early in the morning, before the heat of the day kicks in. I recommend sturdy hiking boots with ankle support for this trail, and – as with any hike – be sure to bring plenty of snacks and water! Some parts of the trail are very exposed, and can be dangerous in extreme wind. I also do not recommend doing this hike in wet weather – there are quite a few sections of hiking over rocks and boulders, which would be very dangerous if they’re slippery.

Bald Head is located in Torndirrup National Park, which has a charge for visitors. A day pass costs $17 AUD per vehicle. If you’re visiting multiple national parks in Western Australia, it will probably be cheaper to get a WA parks pass – you can buy a one-month pass for $70 AUD, or an annual pass for $130 AUD. There are pay stations (that accept card payment) at several of the car parks in Torndirrup National Park to pay your entry fee.

Hiking to Bald Head

Bald Head is the headland at the far end of the peninsula. The trail starts with a short, steep climb up, before coming out of the bush to spectacular views of the isthmus and beaches on either side. This was definitely a highlight of the hike for me! The water was so blue, on both sides, I could barely believe my eyes.

The trail then undulates over several hills, taking you through more bushland, then opens up to a large rock plateau. You’ll need to cross down over the rocks, and then descend down a long staircase, before the final uphill push to get to the summit.

There’s a large cairn to mark the summit – I loved the view here, looking back at the headland I’d walked!

The Return Journey

The return is back the same way you came. Unfortunately, it means you’ll need to tackle all those ascents and descents again! It can be really draining, and I definitely felt my energy waning as it went on. Luckily, the views were somehow even better as I hiked back – the water was even more blue! I also had a great view of Salmon Holes (more below!) as I started the last descent. I ended back at the car park, sweaty and tired but thrilled at what I’d accomplished.

Bald Head Trail: Stats

Here’s a quick view of my stats for the Bald Head Trail in Torndirrup National Park.

Time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 13.5km (8.5 miles)

Elevation Gain: 588 meters (1930ft)

The official information on the hike has it listed as 12.5km, but my Strava recorded it as 13.7km. The time is also listed as 4-7 hours – this will really depend on your fitness level, especially how well you do hiking uphill and descending down stairs.

Other Things to Do in Torndirrup National Park

This is one of the best spots in southwest WA! There’s a lot to see and do, and you could easily spend a couple days here. I went for a dip at Salmon Holes after hiking Bald Head – it was absolute bliss. There was no one else there, and I had the entire beach to myself! Just be careful going in the water here, as there are dangerous rips and a strong current.

If you’re up for a short stroll after all that hiking, head out to see the Blowholes – a 1.6km return walk. They’re more likely to be active on a day that the ocean swell is high.

The Gap and Natural Bridge are two natural rock formations in Torndirrup National Park. They’re very close to the car park, and definitely worth a visit when in the area!

If you’re visiting Bald Head, Torndirrup National Park, or Albany from Denmark, stop at West Cape Howe National Park. The lookout over Shelley Beach is one of the best views I’ve seen in Australia.

Planning Your Trip to Torndirrup National Park and Albany

You’ll need your own vehicle to get to the starting point for the Bald Head trail – there is no public transportation available. You can join this tour from Albany to visit the area if you don’t have a car! Albany is the nearest town to Torndirrup National Park, about a 20-minute drive away. Albany will also be the closest airport; I use Skyscanner to book my flights. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Considering a tour? These are some of the options available in Albany – this one visits Torndirrup National Park to see the Gap and Natural Bridge!

Where to Stay in Torndirrup National Park and Albany

The most convenient place to stay, closest to the national park, is Panorama Caravan Park. There are several other caravan parks in Albany – there is no camping allowed within the national park itself. If you’re basing yourself in Albany and looking for accommodation, here are a few recommendations:

Luxury: Albany Bali Style Accommodation – gorgeous private apartment with Balinese decor

Mid-Range: Kinsella Water Views – a comfortable studio with nice amenities in a good location

Budget: 1849 Backpackers Albany – pretty much the only hostel accomodation around, mixed reviews

Camping: Tasman Holiday Parks Albany – your best bet for caravan park accommodation in the center of Albany

Camping: BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park – a great spot close to Middleton Beach

Hiking the Bald Head Trail was definitely one of the highlights of my road trip through the southwest corner of Western Australia. The hike was hard, but so so good! I loved getting to explore more of the national park, too. I hope this post helps if you’re planning on walking Bald Head in Torndirrup National Park, WA!

Have you hiked the Bald Head Trail yet? Is it on your bucket list?

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