After a new Down South escape for your next long weekend? Look no further than Augusta! Just 30 minutes South of Margaret River, this seaside town is quaint and charming, with an underlying hint of rugged, untamed wildness. Keep reading to find out about all the fun things to do in Augusta, the top Augusta attractions and all the best Augusta accommodation.
Why go to Augusta?
Located just over 300km south of Perth, Augusta is a charming coastal town where the locals are friendly, but nature can seem wild and untamed. Augusta is situated on Wadandi and Pibelmen Country, which has been inhabited for around 47,000 years. Recent archaeological discovery has even found evidence that people made tools by grinding stones in the area approximately 9,200 years ago, giving the region a rich history.
Augusta is the place where the Indian Ocean and Southern Oceans collide. Unlike other popular coastal destinations in the Margaret River region, the protection that bays offer is lost here – waters can be wild, windswept and rough, making it a unique destination for your next South West getaway.
The historical influence of the region’s maritime and timber industries can still be felt when wandering the streets of Augusta today. There are plenty of things to do in Augusta, from exploring natural landscapes to indulging in artesian food and wine and exploring WA’s history – there’s something for everyone in Augusta! Read on to discover what’s so great about this region.
Getting to Augusta
Augusta is situated 314km south of Perth. It can be reached by car in an easy three and a half hour drive, with plenty of places to stop for food, coffee or fuel along the way.
If you’re not looking to drive, Transwa offers a coach service from Perth to Augusta and Pemberton via Bunbury, which departs from East Perth Terminal at various times throughout the week. Travelling to Augusta by coach will take around five and a half hours, but passengers will get to sit back, relax, and watch the scenery change throughout their journey. Head to Transwa for the complete SW1 coach timetable.
Best time to visit Augusta
The best time to visit Augusta will depend on personal preference and what you want to do and the Augusta attractions you want to see. There are certainly fun things to do in Augusta all year round!
Winter
Best time for whale watching and relaxing near a fireplace
Autumn
Best time for the salmon run and fishing
Spring
Best time to see the wildflowers
Summers in Augusta are warm and sunny, but cooled by southerly winds. Summer is a great time to visit Augusta to enjoy the outdoors – think national park hikes, relaxing on the beach, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling and checking out the stingrays of Hamelin Bay.
Augusta in autumn is a fisherman’s dream! Plenty of varieties can be caught in autumn, but salmon, in particular, are prevalent from March to May, during the annual ‘salmon run’. Large salmon schools come close to shore and can be easily snagged by keen fishermen. The salmon run draws in plenty of tourists keen to partake.
My personal favourite time to visit Augusta is during winter. While winter is the tourism low season for Augusta, there is something special about finding a cosy fireplace with a local red wine in hand. Winter is also whale season in the Southwest, when humpback whales and southern right whales make their migratory trip along the west coast. Plus, as it’s low-season accommodation can also be found at a bargain price! Read on for Augusta accommodation recommendations.
Springtime in Augusta sees wildflowers bloom! WA’s Southwest is an important region for biodiversity, and it’s no surprise when you visit Augusta in Spring. In spring the weather starts to warm up, the rains start to become less frequent and days are longer and sunnier! National parks in the region come alive with beautiful colours and are definitely worth a visit.
Things to do in Augusta
In Augusta, you’ll find something for everyone! Augusta is jam-packed with historical sites, natural attractions, great food and wine, and outdoor recreational activities. There is no shortage of things to do in Augusta. Read below for the best things to do in Augusta on your next visit.
Go Whale Watching in Augusta
From late September to early November, humpback and southern right whales embark on their migratory journey along the WA coast. The coast is commonly referred to as “Humpback Highway” due to the staggering 40 000 whales that cruise past each year.
Between June and August, humpback whales migrate north from Antarctica to their warm breeding-groud waters of the Kimberly. From August to November the whales head back down along the coast, back to their Antarctic feeding grounds. Australia’s Southwest coast has some of the best spots to whale watch.
Best time to go whale watching in Augusta
June to August
What species could you see?
Humpback whales
Southern Right whales
Blue whales
It’s possible to spot these gentle giants from the shore, but by heading out on a whale-watching tour you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the huge mammals and if you’re lucky you might be able to spot a rare blue whale, or even some dolphins and seals.
A whale-watching tour aboard the Steep Point offers fantastic views from the five viewing decks. They serve morning or afternoon tea and also have a fully licensed bar and cafe on board. While onboard, you’ll be able to learn all about magnificent creatures, and conservation efforts and even be able to participate in whale research! Book now.
As tours run during colder winter months, be sure to dress in warm clothes, pack wet weather gear and be prepared for the wind! Keep in mind that tours can be cancelled due to poor and unsafe weather.
Book your tour now!
Don’t be left on the sand click here to book your whale watching tour now.
Head out Fishing in Augusta
Augusta is home to some of the best fishing spots in Western Australia’s Southwest Region. There are plenty of land-based fishing spots, accessible without a four-wheel drive or boat including Ellis St Jetty, Hardly Inlet, Skippy Rock, Cosy Corner Beach and Hamelin Bay as well as great spots that can be accessed by boat which can be launched at the Augusta Boat Harbour.
There are plenty of varieties to be caught when fishing in Augusta! Common catches include whiting, black break, silver bream (tarwhine), skippy (silver trevally), herring, tailor, flathead and mulloway. Salmon season runs from March to May and Augusta is a popular spot for keen fishermen and women to catch some of the huge salmon that come in close to shore.
For all your bait and tackle supplies, stop at Augusta Xtreme Outdoor Sports. Their staff are super helpful and knowledgeable about local conditions, fishing spots and the best gear to use.
For more information on all the best fishing spots and what you can catch, check out our dedicated article: The Complete Guide to Fishing in Augusta.
Visit the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is one of the top Augusta attractions. Standing at 39 metres, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. First built in 1895, the lighthouse has safely guided ships through the treacherous waters of Australia’s South West Coast, and is still a working lighthouse today.
The lighthouse stands at the point where the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean meet. It’s open to the public, running guided tours every 30mins between 9 am and 4:30 pm, or visitors can take a leisurely self-paced audio tour.
Visitors can climb the lighthouse’s 186 steps, check out the lighthouse keepers’ cottages, grab a coffee at the cafe and enjoy the local flora and fauna.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is located on Leeuwin Road and is open 7 days from 9 am-4 pm.
Check out the Augusta Water Wheel
The Augusta Water Wheel is located 10 minutes south of Augusta and is a must-see historical attraction on your next visit to Augusta.
Back in the 1890’s, the water wheel was used to pump fresh water from the Spring at Quarry Bay to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and lighthouse keepers’ cottages. It is even thought that the Augusta Water Wheel was the only waterwheel used to power the pumping of water for human consumption.
While it is no longer operational, and encrusted with calcified lime, the antiquated Water Wheel is well worth a visit, especially for those interested in WA history. During your visit, you can also enjoy the picturesque coastal backdrop and take the scenic hour-long bushwalk to Skippy Rock, which winds through natural coastal landscapes.
Explore Jewel Cave
Jewel Cave is one of a few caves in the South West that visitors can explore. Jewel Cave is the biggest and most impressive cave open to the public in WA, chock full of spectacular geological formations.
Jewel cave is any geologist’s dream destination, with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites on show. Visitors can even check out the fossilised remains of 3000-year-old Tasmanian tigers!
Fully guided tours are 1 hour in duration and are presented by knowledgeable guides. After the tour, visitors can enjoy lunch at the Jewel Cave Cafe, overlooking the picturesque Karri forest
It’s open from 9 am-5 pm 7 days and is located on Jewel Cave Road, Deepdene. For more detailed information check out our Guide to the Margaret River Caves.
Enjoy the local seafood scene
Augusta is situated in prime position for a killer seafood scene! Nestled between the Indian and Southern Oceans, Augusta is spoiled for choice when it comes to seafood!
Augusta has a thriving abalone industry; with the world’s first sustainable abalone ranch off the coast, it’s the perfect place to sample this delicacy. You’ll also be able to sample marron, whiting, salmon, blue swimmer crabs and dhufish seasonally.
Some places you can try Augusta’s divine seafood include:
- Colourpatch Cafe and Bar – a bright and airy venue, overlooking the smooth waters of Hardy Inlet. It even has a wooden yacht for a bar – perfect for Instagram photos! The menu is chock full of seafood, from the usual suspects like fish and chips to more exotic dishes and seafood pizzas.
- Blue Ocean Fish and Chips – for a more casual seafood lunch head to Blue Ocean Fish and chips and grab yourself a delish takeaway and find yourself a beaut spot on the Hardy Inlet foreshore to enjoy!
- Augusta Hotel Motel – The Augusta Hotel Motel has views that cannot be beaten! Enjoy all your favourite pub food, as well as high-quality seafood options while perched on the top of a hill with sprawling views of the Blackwood River and the Southern Ocean
Feed the Stingrays of Hamelin Bay
Located just 15 minutes from Augusta, you’ll find a natural marvel! This beautiful sandy bay that lies within the Ngari Capes Marine Park is famous for the many stingrays that call it home.
Hamelin bay is home to smooth stingrays, black stingrays and eagle rays with some measuring up to an impressive two metres across!
Visitors can grab a snorkel to check out the stingrays, or watch them feeding for fishing scraps close to shore. The stingrays are generally not aggressive but be sure to stay a few metres away and keep your hands to yourself as they will defend themself with their tail barb if they feel threatened.
The best time to see the stingrays is during summer, but you’ll occasionally also spot them during winter.
Hamelin Bay is also the perfect spot to do a little beach fishing, go for a swim or snorkel around the shipwrecks and rocks further out.
Entry to the bay is free but be aware that it gets quite busy during busy periods like school holidays. There is a carpark and public toilets close to the beach.
Take a scenic drive through Boranup Karri Forest
Just 20 minutes North of Augusta is the peaceful Boranup Karri Forest. Home to one of the world’s tallest tree species, the Karri (or Eucalyptus diversicolor), Boranup Karri Forrest is a must-see for visitors!
Visitors can take the scenic, winding drive through the forest following the Boranup Forest Drive signs. The road is unsealed but accessible by most two-wheel drive cars. Marvel at the Karris that tower over the road, some up to 60m high! Boranup Drive starts from Caves Road and loops back onto Caves Road further South.
Come prepared with a picnic and find a peaceful spot to stop, enjoy and get up close and personal with the majestic trees before heading off on a bush walk along one of the many trails.
Head to the Boranup lookout for spectacular views of the trees, coastline and Hamelin Bay. Here you’ll find picnic tables and public toilets.
Check out the Augusta Historical Museum
This one is for all the history buffs out there. The Augusta Historical Museum documents Augusta’s more recent history with displays of the region’s shipwrecks, timber industry, early settlers and the whale rescue event of 1986.
Augusta Historical Museum is open each day 1 pm-4 pm, excluding Christmas and Boxing Day.
View the Whale Rescue Memorial
That Whale Rescue Memorial is an information shelter, located on Davies Road in Flinders Bay, that stands to commemorate one of the world’s largest whale rescue efforts. Volunteers from all over WA came together to rescue orcas that became stranded at shelter beach in July 1986.
114 orcas in total became stuck, and volunteers managed to carry 96 of them on trucks to a more sheltered area to be guided out of the bay. The memorial is a heartwarming reminder of what people are capable of when they come together for a cause.
Catch the view from Ellis St Jetty
Ellis St Jetty is a small wooden jetty, located in the heart of Augusta. The jetty and surrounding area is the perfect spot for a picnic or to enjoy your fish and chips.
The Jetty is a popular spot for fishing and one of my personal favourites within the area – I have fond memories of catching silver bream after silver bream from the jetty, and even a couple of pink snapper!
There is a boatshed nearby, Augusta Boat and Canoe Hire, where boats can be rented for the day so you can get out and explore Augusta by water.
You can also catch a guided boat trip from the jetty – keep reading for more info.
Cruise the Blackwood River
If you’re keen to enjoy some time out on the water in Augusta, Augusta River Tours is for you!
During a cruise aboard the Dolphin Discoverer you’ll learn all about the wetland ecosystem and its significance to the local communities. Guests may be lucky enough to spot some of the 60+ bird species that call the area home or meet the local dolphin pod that regularly fish and play alongside the boat. You can even bring your own food and drinks to enjoy on the water.
The Dolphin Discoverer can also be hired out for private charter for groups and parties.
Cruises operate during warmer months and depart Ellis St Jetty at 2 pm (and also 10 am if demand is high).
Take in sweeping views at the Augusta Lookout
Located just a 10-minute drive from the town centre, on Hillview Road, Augusta Lookout is the perfect spot to take in spectacular 360 views of the forest and farmlands all the way to the ocean.
Enjoy the crystal clear water at Flinders Bay
Five minutes south of Augusta you’ll find Flinders Bay. This scenic spot is where the Blackwood River begins. This is the perfect spot to enjoy the crystal clear water with activities like swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking.
You can have a BBQ with mates at the public BBQs and picnic tables. Kids can play on the playground or swim out to the pontoon offshore. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Flinders Bay.
In Flinders Bay, you’ll also find the calm waters of Granny’s Pool. Here, rocks form a large, natural pool. The calm waters of Granny’s pool are perfect for young explorers – kids can hunt for wildlife in rock pools have a good swim or snorkel with the fish.
Spend a day at Cosy Corner
Just 15 from Augusta is Cosy Corner, a relaxing beach that’s sheltered from the harsh surf and is great for recreational water activities.
There are some little islands offshore that are great for diving as they’re surrounded by reefs and marine life.
Cosy Corner is also a popular destination for rock fishing, but take care, as people have been swept off the rocks here, sadly resulting in fatalities. Please note, as Cosy Corner is located within Ngari Capes Marine Park, only land-based fishing is permitted.
If you head left of the carpark you’ll discover a limestone platform with several blowholes that can blow water up to 6m high on rough days! Again, take care around these as blowholes can be dangerous.
Augusta Accommodation
If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Augusta there are a range of options to suit every budget. Below are some of our top picks.
Augusta Motel
Augusta Motel has a variety of rooms to suit every traveller, from families to solo explorers. The rooms are clean and tidy and some offer great views of the river.
Augusta Motel is located in the heart of Augusta so it’s the perfect choice for those looking for convenience in their Augusta accommodation.
Sapphire Chalets Augusta
Located just 5 minutes from Augusta, Sapphire Chalets Augusta is situated on picturesque farmland and are perfect for a private and tranquil escape.
These tidy chalets have two bedrooms, a living area and a private outdoor area. They come complete with a BBQ so you can enjoy the bushland views and stunning sunsets as you dine.
Augusta’s Georgiana Molloy Motel
Augusta’s Georgiana Molloy Motel is another option located close to all of Augusta’s sights. Accommodation consists of self-contained units with full kitchens.
There are a range of room types from family rooms to doubles. This is a great option for travellers looking for a clean, but budget place to stay.
Last words on things to do in Augusta
There you have all the best things to do in Augusta! So why not check out this rugged and charming part of the southwest region on your next trip Down South? Do you have any favourite things to do in Augusta that we’ve missed? Comment and share below!
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