LOCAL GUIDE
A local guide to Augusta and the southern capes
At the southern tip of the Margaret River region, Augusta is where the Blackwood River meets the sea and the Indian and Southern Oceans come together.
What sets Augusta apart from the rest of the region is its peace. The pace is slower, the crowds are thinner and the natural beauty is everywhere you look, from the river and the beaches to the wild stretch of coast around Cape Leeuwin.
The Blackwood River
The heart of Augusta is the Blackwood River. It is wide, calm and full of life, with dolphins sometimes seen in the water and the banks alive with pelicans, parrots and other birdlife, so there is usually something to watch.
Much of Augusta's peace comes from the river, the way it sits at the centre of town and slows everything down. One of the nicest ways to take it in is over a long lunch at the Colourpatch Cafe, looking out across the water.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
A short drive from town, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands at the most south westerly tip of mainland Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
The lighthouse opened in 1896 and still works today. You can climb it on a guided tour, with views across the two oceans and the surrounding coastline.
Hamelin Bay and the stingrays
About ten minutes from Augusta, Hamelin Bay is known for the stingrays that glide close to shore, often right into the shallows.
The remains of the old jetty are still visible, a reminder of Hamelin Bay’s history as a timber port.
Boranup forest
The drive to Augusta passes through Boranup karri forest, where tall white trunked karri trees rise on either side of the road. It is worth stopping for a few minutes among them.
Whales
Between late May and August, the coast around Augusta is one of the main places in the region to see whales as they pass on their migration.
It is one of the reasons Augusta feels so special in winter. The town is quieter, the coastline feels wilder and the whales bring another layer of life to the ocean.
Subsea Estate
Augusta is also home to something genuinely unusual, Subsea Estate. The wines are aged beneath the sea off Flinders Bay, where ocean movement, pressure and temperature create conditions that cannot be replicated on land.
At the cellar door by the boat harbour, you can taste the wines and pair them with local green lip abalone. It is a very Augusta experience, shaped by wine, ocean and the southern coastline.
Getting there
Augusta is around 50 kilometres south of Margaret River town, with Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse a short drive beyond the town itself. It makes an easy day trip from Margaret River, although Augusta rewards a slower visit.
Come for the lighthouse, the river, the forest, Hamelin Bay, whales in season and the feeling of being right at the edge of the country.
More local planning guides
Where to go next
Margaret River guide
For guests deciding between staying in Margaret River town or closer to the coast.
Dunsborough guide
For guests looking for a relaxed bay and town base with practical access to the northern coast.
Yallingup guide
For guests staying in or visiting the Yallingup region.
Busselton guide
For guests arriving by cruise ship, airport or staying near the jetty and bay.