Cape Naturaliste

Cape Naturaliste is a stunning headland on the southwestern coast of Western Australia, known for its beautiful views and rich history.

It is part of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge and has several landmarks named after it, including the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, and the Cape to Cape hiking track.

The nearest settlement to Cape Naturaliste is Bunker Bay, which has evolved from holiday homes to expensive housing for wealthy residents. This community also boasts a popular beach resort. Dunsborough, an older settlement, is located across the Geographe Bay to the east, with Busselton located even further east.

Cape Naturaliste has been known to the local indigenous people, the Wardandi Aboriginals, for thousands of years. They called the area "Kwirreejeenungup," which means "the place with the beautiful view." In 1801, the French navigator Nicolas Baudin arrived at Cape Naturaliste during his exploration of Australia. He named the bay they found Geographe Bay after his flagship, the Géographe. The cape itself was named after the expedition's second ship, the Naturaliste.

Citations for further reading:

• Encountering Terra Australis: The Australian Voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders by F. Jean Fornasiero, Peter Monteath, and John West-Sooby (Wakefield Press)
• French Napoleonic Placenames of the South West Coast by Leslie R. Marchant (R.I.C. Publications)

Reference:

• "Lighthouses of Australia: Western Australia" by Russ Rowlett in The Lighthouse Directory (University of North Carolina at