Ramon Fadli Photography – Topo: Wilyabrup

July 10, 2017 Posted by Ramon Fadli in Australia, Climbing, IUCN Protected Category 2, Mediterranean, Sclerophyll & Mediterranean Forests, Western Australia

Topo: Wilyabrup

Cape to Cape Index

Leeuwin-Naturaliste - National Park - Category 2

Wilyabrup

Wilyabrup is by far the largest climbing crag in the Margaret River region. Most of the routes on this stretch of red granite are trad routes but there are also a fair amount of bolted routes scattered around. Although the crag lies three hours drive south from Perth, the majestic views of the coast and the fantastic roar of the crashing waves down below makes the long drive more than worthwhile. You can even head off down the Cape to Cape track from the cliffs if you want to explore the surroundings.

Getting There

If you are coming from Perth (driving south) down Caves Road, you'll need to turn right at the junction that lies just after Gralyn Winery. This turning leads down a small, gravel road that continues on past a right and then a left turn before bringing you to a small clearing where you can park your car. From here you need to cross the fence using the stile and follow the firebreak trail over Biljedup Brook and on to another fence. Cross this fence and continue down to the cliffs. The walk is just under a kilometre long and takes about 15-20 minutes.

Directions to Wilyabrup Crag from the Caves Road junction

360 Panorama

Wilyabrup Crags

Facilities

Be sure to top up your water supply before heading out as there is no supply of fresh water at the crags. There is a 'long-drop' toilet at the southern end of the cliffs though that has a spectacular view. If you are climbing in a large group, be sure to contact the Calgardup Cave Office at 97577422 to book and to secure your permits (AUD8 per person per day). If you are in a smaller group of 5 or less, then permits are not required.

The 'long-drop' toilet

Wildlife

At the end of the year, you have a small chance of spotting migrating whales if you scan the horizon every once in a while, but the easiest marine mammals to spot out here are Common Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The local dolphins surf the waves of the Margaret River coast all year-round and according to researchers, may use these waves as a cover for stealth after forcing fish closer to the shore. The surfing of dolphins might not only be for hunting though, and could also be used to define their social standing within their respective pods. Dolphins have been observed surfing this way by using the wakes of boats, so might even be doing it just for a little bit of fun!

Diurnal skinks (Family: Scincidae) can also sometimes be spotted splayed out on the rocks, basking in the warmth of the morning sun. They do this to raise their internal body temperature which in turn stimulates their metabolism. This makes their muscles more limber which not only helps them hunt for food, but also helps them escape predators. Skinks are known to love digging and burrowing so most often than not will be hidden inside gaps in the rocks or underground where they are mostly safe from predators.

Skinks can oftentimes be spotted hiding in nooks and crannies

Interactive Location Map

Clicking on each crag will bring you to its respective topo

Peach Face
Banana Wall
The Terrace
Steel Wall
Hope Buttress
One for the Road
Fat Chance
Southern End
Cape to Cape Track
Cape to Cape Track

Southern End

#	Route	Type	Length	Difficulty
01	Gargoyle	Unknown	12 m	17
02	Fairy Floss	Trad	10 m	12
03	Brepus	Trad	10 m	10
04	Woman Accept It For What It Is	Trad	10 m	20
05	Gritstone Reminiscence*	Trad	10 m	18
06	English Ethics	Unknown	10 m	20
07	Twenty Questions	Trad	10 m	12
08	Left Hand Crack	Trad	10 m	16
09	MASC'ed Boschman	Sport	15 m	25
10	The Spin of It	Sport	15 m	24
11	Inner Space**	Trad	15 m	17
12	Totally Awesome***	Trad	17 m	19
13	Waterfall's Second Folly	Trad	17 m	15
14	Waterfall's Second Folly Direct Start	Trad	17 m	17
15	Rockfish Dreaming**	Trad	20 m	19
16	Outer Space	Sport	6 m	25

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Fat Chance Area

#	Route	Type	Length	Difficulty
17	Tom thumb	Trad	14 m	11
18	Tom Thumb Direct Finish	Mixed	13 m	15
19	Setting Sun*	Sport	13 m	15
20	Fat Crack	Trad	15 m	15
21	Fat Chance**	Mixed	15 m	20
22	Battling the Bulge	Sport	15 m	19
23	Slapping the Fat	Trad	15 m	17
24	Gutted	Trad	15 m	16
25	Blubber Boy	Trad	15 m	18
26	Orryjohn	Trad	15 m	8

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Steel Wall

#	Route	Type	Length	Difficulty
01	Pas de Levitation	Trad	40 m	23
02	In the Crack or on Your Back	Trad	40 m	25
03	Verbosity	Trad	20 m	13
04	Escape Hatch*	Trad	20 m	24
05	K.G.B.**	Trad	25 m	26
06	Blondes Have More Fun*	Trad	25 m	22
07	Bottoms Up	Unknown	25 m	22
08	The Great Temptress	Unknown	25 m	18
09	Stormcock*	Trad	30 m	10
10	Sombre	Unknown	25 m	18
11	Welcome to Arapiles**	Trad	25 m	21
12	Northern Roof	Unknown	30 m	25
13	High Reel	Unknown	35 m	14
14	Cymbal	Unknown	35 m	18

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The Terrace & Banana Wall

#	Route	Type	Length	Difficulty
01	Precious Metals**	Trad	15 m	25
02	The Future Grins*	Trad	15 m	22
03	Finish Fatale*	Trad	15 m	22
04	Thrice Bitten*	Trad	15 m	17
05	Metamorphic Sausage	Trad	15 m	13
06	North Chimney*	Trad	15 m	10
07	Thin Crack	Trad	8 m	14
08	Jug Abuse*	Trad	20 m	21
09	Northwall	Trad	30 m	11
10	Banana Split**	Trad	30 m	14
11	Dessert***	Sport	25 m	25
12	Use No S.L.C.D.'s**	Trad	20 m	19
13	Corpus Delecti***	Trad	20 m	18
14	Block and Tackle	Trad	20 m	18
15	Balted Frenzy	Trad	20 m	18
16	Book of Funk**	Mixed	20 m	26