From Dunsborough, drive along the scenic Cape Naturaliste Road for approximately 10km then turn left onto Sugarloaf Road. Follow Sugarloaf Road for about 3 km. Sugarloaf Rock and the car park are at the end of the road.
Sugarloaf Rock is a gigantic granite rock that emerges from the Indian Ocean extremely close to the mainland. The rock is situated within a designated nature reserve in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park just off Cape Naturaliste near Dunsborough. As you approach Sugarloaf Rock you will instantly see why this towering, sea-sculptured rock is one of the most photographed coastal landforms in the region. With its ocean side often battered by treacherous seas, and the rock separated from the coast by a narrow channel of wild water, this is an incredible seascape - best viewed from the elevated lookout.
Sugarloaf Rock is one of the region’s most spectacular coastal landforms and unique environments. It is no wonder that it is one of the hallmark images of Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year, Christian Fletcher and it has graced the cover of the Australian Geographic magazine. With its ever-changing colour, it is difficult to decide when it’s best to see it. Perhaps it is when the weather is stormy with crashing seas, perhaps it is when it is calm and sunny and the water is crystal clear. Perhaps the greatest sight is when the sun sets over the Indian Ocean and the colour of the rock changes every minute. If you wait long enough at sunset, you can even see the working Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse light up!
Sugarloaf Rock is a bird watcher's and nature lover’s paradise. As a nature reserve, it is a haven for nesting seabirds and is home to the geographically restricted and graceful red-tailed tropic bird which nests here from September to February each year. But that’s not the only wildlife you may see. Playful bottlenose dolphins can often be seen leaping through the surf break close by, sometimes together with the surfers. Humpback and southern right whales are often seen wallowing, breaching or just cruising by on their migration (best time July - October).
Spend a little more time and walk on the Cape to Cape Track towards the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, which is only three kilometres away. It is a spectacular walk along the cliff tops looking up to the lighthouse, with the Indian Ocean, stunning surf and beautiful bays on one side and native Australian coastal bush complete with Australian wildlife on the other side. This area provides a great example of Western Australian wildflowers which are gorgeous and plentiful in season (September – November), making for even more stunning photographs. The path itself is an easy walking path of hard limestone which then becomes a sealed path, and then an amazing boardwalk. Conveniently placed benches allow walkers to sit and gaze at the ocean, dolphins or migrating whales, or spy on fluttering wrens. (If you walk on the Cape to Cape Track coming the other way from the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse it is wheelchair and pram accessible for most of the way and offers great views of Sugarloaf Rock).
As this is a wild environment please heed the Department of Parks and Wildlife signs and guidelines.
Location
Sugarloaf Rock
Sugarloaf Rd, Naturaliste WA 6281, Australia
Reviews
4.8 (770 Google reviews)
Scott Philippe30 December 2024
What a view!
Take the family and have a look and nature's raw beauty!
The area got its name because a lot of parrots use to sit on the rock and their droppings were white.....sadly this isn't the case now but it is still an amazing location.
Nearby you can also see dolphins swimming in the surf.
What a view!!
Vincent Djohan06 January 2025
When here for the sunset and it was very lovely. The gradients of the lightning was amazing to see. A very beautiful place just to sit, relax, enjoy the sunset and the nature. Plenty of parking available around the area.
jason davis28 January 2025
Very impressive rock formation off the coast. Have heard sunsets here are spectacular but unfortunately we didn't get to see one.
Nathan Dobbie10 November 2024
One of the most unique and scenic locations in the whole southwest. There are toilets, and there is an official pathway to the lookout. Access to the waters edge is via one of the many rocky and uneven unofficial trails.
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