Sunset Beach Overnighter - Trip Report
Ten walkers, including some of the Club's first 12+ young participants, hiked into remote Sunset Beach for a winter overnighter on Cape Cleveland, enjoying a cleared track, coastal views, beach camping, and a relaxed walk out next morning
Date: 28 - 29 June 2025
Leader: Luen
Participants: 10, including some young ones
Ten walkers joined this winter overnighter to Sunset Beach on Cape Cleveland, including some of our Club's first younger participants under the new policy allowing 12+ year olds on suitable trips. It was a great chance to test the updated rules in practice, and the trip made for a strong start - everyone handled the walk well and added to the fun of the weekend.
We set off on Saturday afternoon and followed the recently cleared track out towards Sunset Beach. A big thank you goes to Wilfred and company for clearing the route earlier, which made the walk in much easier, and also for doing a prior check to see whether there was any water flowing at Paradise Beach at this time of year. The route to Sunset Beach - also known as Little Beach or Bray Beach - had recently been reestablished in mid-2025, which certainly helped.
The walk itself was a good reminder of why this trip is such a favourite. The track winds through coastal grassland, scrub, and forest before opening up to sweeping views, granite slopes, remote beaches, and the wild coastline of Bowling Green Bay National Park. Along the way, we also spotted some pandanus cookii (Cook's screw pine) with bright red fruit hanging ripe and ready, although we left them alone and kept moving.
By late afternoon, we reached the beach and settled in for the night. With cool winter conditions, a remote camp, and a beautiful shoreline all to ourselves, it was a very special place to spend an evening. The changing light over the water and the quiet of the camp made the overnight feel relaxed and memorable.
On Sunday morning, most of the group packed up and headed back out together. Two walkers chose to stay behind a little longer to relax and enjoy the beach before making their own way out later, while the rest of us returned as a group.
Overall, it was a successful overnighter, a great test of the Club's new 12+ policy, and a reminder of how rewarding these remote coastal walks can be. Thanks to everyone who came along and made it such an enjoyable trip, and thanks again to Wilfred for the track work and water check beforehand (two separate trips). As always for this trip, camping permits are required, so good preparation remains an important part of making the most of this beautiful area.
- Luen
