Guide to Augusta Western Australia Australia

Augusta is a quiet, scenic town where the Blackwood River meets Flinders Bay, about 320 km south of Perth and 43 km south of Margaret River. It is close to Cape Leeuwin, the south-western tip of mainland Australia, where the Indian and Southern oceans meet, and is one of the oldest settlements in Western Australia, founded in 1830.

This is Wadandi Noongar country. Around 1,200 people live in the town, and many more come in summer for the river, beaches and fishing, and in winter for whale watching. Augusta is the southern end of the Cape to Cape Track and a gateway to Jewel Cave, Hamelin Bay and the Boranup karri forest.

Known For

• Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where two oceans meet
• Whale watching in Flinders Bay
• The Blackwood River and Hardy Inlet

Things To Do in Augusta

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

About 8 km south of town, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest mainland lighthouse in Western Australia, at about 39 m. It was built in 1895 and lit in 1896, and guided tours climb the tower. Nearby, the old water wheel, built in 1895 to supply water to the lighthouse, has calcified and no longer turns.

Whale watching

From late May to August, humpback whales and southern right whales pass close to shore in Flinders Bay, and boat tours leave from Augusta.

Jewel Cave

About 8 km north of town, Jewel Cave is the largest show cave in Western Australia, seen on guided tours of about an hour.

Hamelin Bay

About 20 minutes north-west, stingrays glide through the shallows beside the ruins of an 1882 timber jetty. Watch them, but do not touch or feed them.

Boranup Karri Forest

The Boranup Forest Drive, a gravel road suitable for 2WD vehicles, winds through karri trees up to 60 m tall.

Blackwood River

The river and Hardy Inlet are great for boating, kayaking and fishing for bream. Alexandra Bridge, 26 km north-east, has a riverside picnic and camping area.

Whale rescue memorial

In 1986, 114 false killer whales stranded at Town Beach, and 96 were saved by locals and volunteers. A memorial overlooks the beach.

Where To Stay

The Shire runs Turner Holiday Park, on the riverfront at Blackwood Avenue within walking distance of town, with chalets and around 190 sites; pets are not allowed and it often books out. Flinders Bay Holiday Park on Albany Terrace is the only beachfront park and is pet-friendly. Alexandra Bridge Campground, 26 km away on the Blackwood River, is first come, first served and pet-friendly. Parks and Wildlife campgrounds at Hamelin Bay, Point Road and Boranup are nearby.

Free camping is not allowed in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. There is no public dump point in Augusta; the nearest is in Margaret River. Fuel is available in town, and the roads are sealed.

Eat & Drink

The Colourpatch Cafe and Bar has river views by the jetty, and the Deckchair Cafe, Buona Caffe and Thousand Suns Cafe are popular for coffee and breakfast. The Augusta Hotel has views over the river.

History

Augusta was settled in 1830 by the Molloy, Bussell and Turner families and named after Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex. Georgiana Molloy became famous for collecting plants for botanists in England. Most settlers moved north to the Vasse in the following years. Timber milling brought jetties to Hamelin Bay and Flinders Bay in the 1880s, the lighthouse was built in 1895 and 1896, and the railway reached Flinders Bay in 1925.

Getting to Augusta

Augusta is about 320 km south of Perth, around three and a half hours’ drive via Busselton and Margaret River.

May to August is the whale season, September to November brings wildflowers, and summer is best for swimming and fishing. Winter can be wild and wet, perfect for storm watching from the cape.