The Track extends over 123 kilometres (76 mi) of coastal scenery, sheltered forests and pristine beaches, and is in close proximity to the caves, vineyards and other features and attractions of the South West Capes – Margaret River region.

The original Aboriginal inhabitants of the area, the Wardandi people, would have known the ridge and its resources intimately, and would regularly have travelled its length.

Soon after the first European settlers arrived at Augusta in March 1831, John Dewar, Andrew Smith, William Longmate, Thomas Robinson and Henry Postans travelled to the Swan River on foot, recording the section to Cape Naturaliste in their journal.

[1][2] They seemed to have had little difficulty traversing the country, reporting that much had been burnt, and they travelled alternately on the beaches or three to four miles inland along a ridge of low hills.

It took them six days to reach Cape Naturaliste, much the same time that it takes now, though probably in slightly less relaxed fashion, as they started before sunrise, and sometimes marched by moonlight.

[citation needed] Since those days, the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge has become increasingly populated, with roads and tracks criss-crossing the land.

It varies from smooth, wide tracks, to narrow rocky paths, to soft sandy beaches and a few rough scrambles.

The Track includes several quite long stretches of accessible beach, allowing opportunities for cooling the feet, as well as helping to minimise construction and maintenance costs.

This southwest corner, starting with Cape Leeuwin, is the first part of the Australian mainland to feel the force of the Roaring Forties or winter gales that whip across the southern Indian Ocean.