Ultimate guide to Augusta

By: Tatum Stafford

Nestled by the mouth of the Blackwood River, the peaceful town of Augusta in WA's South West is home to some of the State’s most beautiful beaches, iconic landmarks and giant humpback whales that ply the waters from June to August. Grab your binoculars; we're heading to Augusta.

At a glance

Top things to see and do

Go whale-watching

Augusta is one of the most prolific whale-watching hotspots in WA. Flinders Bay, in particular, is a fantastic spot to watch southern right and humpback whales interact, mate, play and give birth to their young. If you’re visiting towards the end of whale-watching season (in August), you may spot playful newborn calves frolicking in the bay’s sheltered waters. For a great view of the bay, head to the viewing deck on the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse – there are free binoculars you can use.

If you’re eager to hop on a tour, head to the Augusta Boat Harbour (located within Flinders Bay). It’s a departure point for several whale-watching charter boats, with multiple tours running each day.

Fish, swim or kayak along the Hardy Inlet

Hardy Inlet might be the meeting place of Blackwood River and stormy sea, but the inland waters are calm and peaceful – perfect for an afternoon on the river. There are plenty of options to get out on the water, with vessels of all shapes and sizes available for hire, but it’s an ideal spot to get out the SUP and paddle between shores or even up around the bend.

This low-noise form of travel works well if you’re interested in checking out the local birdlife, which includes migratory waders (from November to March each year), Caspian terns, and Australasian darters. Ellis Street Jetty, just down the hill from the Augusta Hotel, makes for a great point of departure, with parking and changing rooms close at hand.

Hire a houseboat

An extra special way to enjoy your Augusta stay is on a houseboat. You’ll explore the peaceful Hardy Inlet on board a fully self-contained, eco-certified houseboat.

Each has a covered top deck, fully equipped galley kitchen, toilet, heated shower, and in-cabin heating. Kayaks and SUP boards are also included with your boat. There are dedicated moorings you can tie up to overnight or when you just want to stop for a while.

You don’t need a Skippers Ticket to operate one, and you’ll be given an induction and instructions before you set off.

Explore Jewel Cave

As the name suggests, Jewel Cave is adorned with delicate helictites, pendulites, cave coral, and flowstones. It is also home to a massive stalagmite known as the ‘Karri Forest.’ Fossilised remains of Tasmanian tigers have been discovered within its chambers, with a skeleton of one on display in the visitor centre at the cave’s entrance.

Hop on a guided tour (they depart every hour), or complete the short walk trail that meanders through the forest to the original entrance of the cave. The Jewel Cave café is a great spot for a bite to eat and a spectacular view of the cave’s lush surrounding karri forest.

Walk the Whale Trail

This 6-kilometre walking trail travels from the mouth of the Blackwood River to the Augusta Boat Harbour in Flinders Bay, via the picturesque Flinders Bay caravan park. At the right time of the year, you’ll often spot humpback whales, southern right whales, and dolphins from its path along the coastline. In warmer weather, you can stop in for a dip at Granny’s Pool. Close to the original settlement, the pool’s rocky harbour offers a sheltered spot for swimming, snorkelling, or crabbing for adventurers of all ages.

Tour the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Located at the most south-westerly tip of Australia and perched between two oceans, the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest mainland lighthouse in the country. Constructed from local limestone in 1895, this iconic landmark is still a working lighthouse for vessels travelling in and around Cape Leeuwin. It’s also home to live-in lighthouse keepers who still watch over its (now automated) light in between guided tours.

Location aside, it’s the stories of these keepers that make a visit so rewarding. Beyond the tour, visitors can explore the lighthouse’s interpretative centre, located within one of the original lighthouse keepers’ cottages, which provides an insight into the daily lives of the families who lived and worked on the site over the years. The Devonshire Tea at the cafe is another highlight, and you’ll be treated to unbelievable views over Cape Leeuwin as you eat and unwind.

Fully guided tours of the lighthouse tower depart daily, running every half an hour from 9am to 4:30pm. RAC members save 10% on Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse tours.

Visit the Augusta Historical Museum

Established in 1979, this comprehensive museum is filled with displays that document the history of Augusta since European settlement in 1830. A stroll through exhibits will reveal commemorative coins, church organs, artefacts from a monumental whale rescue event, and more. The museum is open daily from 1pm to 4pm. It’s also a short walk from the renowned Augusta Bakery if you’re looking for a quick lunch of classic pies or Banh Mi beforehand.

Stingray spotting

Summer might not be the best time to whale watch, but it’s ideal for sting ray spotting. Hamelin Bay – a 25-minute drive from Augusta – is home to two kinds of sting ray, the smaller and shyer eagle rays and the much larger and bolder smooth sting rays (the latter growing up to 4m and happy to linger in the shallow waters). Swimming is allowed, but visitors are advised to keep their distance from the wildlife (however friendly they might seem).

Even on days the rays don’t make an appearance, it’s a beautiful stretch of beach for a morning dip or an afternoon walk. That said, if the wind is coming up from neighbouring Foul Bay (affectionately known by locals as “Stinky Bay”), it can be a pungent experience.

Tackle a tough four-wheel drive track

If you’re an experienced four-wheel driver, consider taking on Bob’s Track. It’s one of the region’s most challenging off-road tracks, so only tackle it if you’ve got plenty of hardcore four-wheel driving experience under your belt. Also make sure you travel with at least one other vehicle and with recovery gear.

It’s an up-and-down track that will lead you to Boranup Beach, where off-road vehicles are allowed. It’s believed the track was originally carved out by a local surfer to get access to the beach.

Where to eat in town

If you’re after a sit-down meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, The Colour Patch is an Augusta institution and is about as close as you can get to eating on the water. Across the road is the beautiful Hardy Inlet, where the Blackwood River completes its 300km journey to the Southern Ocean. The food is great – and reasonably priced – while the nautical decor (including a bar made from an old sailing boat) should leave you inspired for your next voyage.

Ideally located at the north end of the high street, Augusta Bakery & Cafe is a classic country bakery that stands ready to feed arriving hungry travellers. From breakfast to afternoon tea, you’ll find an impressive array of traditional home-baked pies and sweet treats – including the inevitable (and much-lauded) vanilla slice. Look closer and you’ll see this old-school fare has been augmented by Vietnamese treats, including Banh Mi. Takeaway coffees are available, or you can take a seat in the attached cafe. Expect long waits at lunch, especially during peak season, as the queues can stretch out around into the car park.

Given Augusta is a town surrounded by water, an evening serve of fish and chips seems inevitable – and a good way to warm up, if you’ve been splashing about on the river. Augusta Fish & Chips, run by Suong Tran, whose sister Mai owns the bakery, is a family-friendly restaurant offering fresh fish, crunchy chips and generous portions. On a warm evening, it’s worth taking your greasy paper parcels the short distance downhill to eat by the shores of the Blackwood.

Go paddock-to-plate at Glenarty Road

Head 20km or 15min north of August and treat yourself to the ultimate paddock-to-plate dining experience on this working farm. Incorporating a vineyard, sheep farm, fruit trees, and vegetable gardens, Glenarty Road’s award-winning rustic restaurant serves up the freshest seasonal produce, grown from the farm’s rich soils.

Family-owned for five generations and incorporating regenerative farming practices, the Glenarty Road kitchen gets around 80 per cent of its produce from the farm itself.

Getting around

As the various attractions within Augusta are quite spread out, you’ll need a car to tour the region. If you’re planning on visiting wineries within nearby regions, make sure you have a designated driver or hop on a tour – many of these depart from Margaret River town.

If you’d rather explore the region on two wheels, visit Electric Bike Hire Augusta or the variety of bike hire shops in the nearby town of Margaret River.

What to pack

As the town is located on the most south westerly tip of the country, temperatures in Augusta can drop very low in winter months. Packing plenty of layers, enclosed footwear and a warm jacket is wise. If you’re visiting in summer, bring your bathers, light clothing, and any gear you’ll need for fishing, paddling or boating.