Top 10 Things To Do in Augusta WA: Local’s Guide

Augusta WA is a charming town nestled on the south west coast of the state. The region is known for its natural scenery and is a wonderful place to spend a holiday with family or friends.

But where do you start? With so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to plan your trip.

That’s why we’ve created this ultimate local’s guide to Augusta, packed with insider tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your visit. Whether you’re looking for the best beaches, top-rated restaurants, or hidden gems that only locals know about, we’ve got you covered.

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Top 10 Things To Do in Augusta WA

1. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Leeuwin Road, Augusta

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is located on the headland of Cape Leeuwin, the most south-westerly part of Australia’s mainland, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.

This Augusta lighthouse, opened in 1895, is the tallest in mainland Australia and is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List. Initially, the lens revolved by a counterweight driving clockwork mechanism, but it became automated in 1992.

The limestone lighthouse is an excellent place to spot whales during their migration from May to September.

You can take a tour of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, still an essential working lighthouse, but note that you need to be able to climb the 176 steps. Once at the top, learn about this historic lighthouse and be amazed at the stunning views.

One of the original lighthouse keepers’ cottages now houses the Interpretive Centre, an interactive experience looking at the history and lives of the lighthouse keepers.

Open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily, except Christmas Day.

During WA school holidays and public holidays, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is open until 5:00 pm.

The café is open for coffee, lunch, and snacks from Friday to Wednesday.

Lighthouse guided tours depart every half an hour from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and are the only way to view the lighthouse up close.

2. Augusta’s Old Waterwheel

Leeuwin Road, Augusta

This historic water wheel was built just before the lighthouse and used to supply fresh spring water for the construction of the lighthouse and, later, for the keepers and their families.

Over the years, the water, high in calcium carbonate, calcified the wheel, preventing it from turning.

The views of the ocean, giant granite boulders, and the rugged coastline are beautiful here, so remember your camera.

If you want to see more of the coastline, try the one-hour walk from Augusta’s waterwheel to Skippy Rock using the Cape to Cape track.

3. Jewel Cave

Jewel Caves Rd, Deepdene

Jewel Cave is the largest show cave in Western Australia and my favourite in Australia’s South West region. This cave is popular with tourists and locals and has become famous for its beautiful formations, including the straw stalactite.

The only way to see this spectacular underground treasure trove is on a fully-guided one-hour tour. If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Augusta, this is an excellent option, especially if it’s raining.

Read the complete guide on this Jewel Cave WA review.

4. Whale Watching Augusta

Augusta is one of the most popular places for tourists to go whale watching in Western Australia to see Humpback and Southern Right whales. The whale watching season starts here from late May until the end of August. Up until mid-July, you have the chance to see energetic humpback whales as they migrate north. Southern Right whales appear in July, but the peak season is August, when they use Flinders Bay to rest with their calves.

As these tours are during the winter, ensure you wear appropriate clothing, as it can be cold and windy out on the ocean. It’s also advisable to be flexible with dates in case your tour is cancelled due to bad weather or rough sea conditions.

Our favourite Whale Watching operator, Naturaliste Charters, has a highly-rated whale watching tour that leaves from Augusta.

5. Whale Rescue Memorial

Davies Road, Town Beach, Flinders Bay

The Whale Rescue Memorial is a touching tribute to the remarkable efforts of the local community in saving stranded whales. The memorial shelter overlooks Flinders Bay and features four stainless steel, etched interpretive panels that remind us of the incredible bond between these magnificent creatures and the people who work tirelessly to protect them.

There is also a small plaque relating to the Orca rescue in July 1986, when 114 false killer whales stranded themselves on Augusta`s main beach. Hundreds of people worked day and night for 48 hours to save 96 by getting them back out to sea.

6. Augusta Beaches

The Margaret River region is home to some of the most scenic beaches in Australia. With pristine sands and crystal clear water, this coastline has it all, and it’s not hard to see why people flock to this destination every year.

Hamelin Bay

My favourite beach near Augusta is Hamelin Bay, where friendly stingrays come up close in shallow waters. You can also fish off the beach, snorkel, dive, or hike one of the trails.

Grannys Pool

Granny’s Pool, located near Flinders Bay Jetty, is great for families as rocks create a calm pool, breaking the southerly swells. Here you can snorkel, hunt for crabs, swim, or relax under the shade of a tree.

Cosy Corner

Cosy Corner is a beautiful coastal area off Caves Road, 17 km from Augusta. You can stop here on your way to/from Hamelin Bay. The sandy beach looked lovely, but the flies were dreadful (a very hot December), so we decided not to walk down.

There’s a limestone platform left of the car park, with several blowholes that blow water up to 6 m high on rough days.

7. Augusta Fishing

Augusta offers a great estuary, beach, and offshore fishing spots.

Try your luck at catching black bream, trevally (skippy), and blue-spotted flathead at the Hardy Inlet, Blackwood, and Scott Rivers. Or head to Cosy Corner from late summer to autumn for herring and salmon.

In calm conditions, Skippy Rock is excellent for tailor, skippy, samson fish, and salmon from late summer to autumn. Pink snapper is in the deeper water offshore.

8. Hillview Lookout

This scenic Augusta lookout can be found along Hillview Road with 360° views across natural bush and farmland to the ocean. We weren’t impressed with the views, but the drive through the forest was beautiful. It’s worth a visit to get a perspective of the area.

9. Have a Drink at the Augusta Hotel

The Augusta Hotel is a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring the stunning natural surroundings of Augusta. The tavern offers a range of drinks, including local and imported beers, wines, and spirits, and delicious pub-style food.

The friendly staff and large outdoor area with views of the Blackwood River and East Augusta make this pub a perfect place to catch up with friends or relax after a busy day.

10. Visit Margaret River

Margaret River is only a thirty-minute drive from Augusta, making it ideal for exploring on a day trip. The area offers world-class wineries, trendy craft breweries, hikes through forests, thrilling mountain bike tracks, and stunning beaches.

Augusta Restaurants

As Augusta is a small town, restaurants and food options are limited. Most places receive mixed reviews.

Try one of these restaurants/takeaways in Augusta:

• Augusta Hotel – typical pub fare with lovely views over the Blackwood River
• Augusta Fish & Chips (previously Blue Ocean) – our fish and chips were tasty
• The Ragged Robin – we didn’t eat here but looks cute
• The Colour Patch – a popular place overlooking the inlet
• Augusta Bakery – we enjoyed the jam doughnuts
• Drive out to Karridale Tavern – a lovely pub for lunch

Augusta Shops

Augusta IGA

Augusta IGA is open seven days a week from 8 am to 6 pm for your shopping needs.

It’s a Jem

It’s a Jem is a cute gift shop worth a browse for any gifts or souvenirs.

You will need to drive into Margaret River for more shops, including Coles or Woolworths supermarkets.

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