Sunset Beach - Trip Report
A moderate day walk to remote Sunset Beach on Cape Cleveland, with rough track, coastal forest, big views, a relaxing swim, lunch by the sea, and a return through one of Bowling Green Bay National Park's quieter, lesser-visited corners.
Date: 18 May 2025
Leader: Wilfred Karnoll
Wilfred led this enjoyable day walk out towards Sunset Beach on Cape Cleveland, with the original plan being to continue through to Paradise Beach. The route follows a rough and sometimes faint track through isolated country, with a few scrubby sections and some steep, uneven ground along the way. It is a part of Bowling Green Bay National Park that does not see a lot of visitors, which adds to the sense of remoteness and adventure.
Starting from the end of Cape Cleveland Road, the group made their way up and over the saddle before continuing through coastal forest towards the western side of the cape. Along the way, there were great views out to Little Beach (AIMS Beach), and later down towards Sunset Beach itself, with the coastline and granite slopes looking particularly good in the cooler conditions.
Although the aim had been to push on to Paradise Beach, the group decided to call it at Sunset Beach instead. It turned out to be a good choice. With a beautiful remote beach in front of us, the pace slowed right down, and the rest of the day was spent enjoying a relaxing swim, lunch, and a well-earned sit-down before returning the same way.
This was a solid, moderate walk in a rugged, quiet part of the park, and a good reminder that even when the original objective changes, the day can still be very rewarding. Thanks to Wilfred for leading another enjoyable trip into one of Cape Cleveland's lesser-visited corners.
- Luen
