Augusta
The attractive town of Augusta sits where the Indian and Southern Oceans’ meet, on the mouth of the Blackwood River.
With a peaceful village character, Augusta retains strong ties with maritime and European heritage, being Western Australia’s third oldest settlement after Albany and Perth. It is from this point in 1851 that Dutch Captain, Matthew Flinders, started his epic voyage on the Leeuwin to map the Australian coastline! Today this is still the Southwestern-most township of Australia.
In recent years the town has become a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts offering world-class windsurfing, kite-surfing, paddling, snorkelling and fishing. The River Regatta is celebrated on the riverfront in March and adventurers descend each November to test their skills as part of the Anaconda Adventure Race. The town also marks the southern gateway and service centre for exploring the spectacular 140km coastal walk, the Cape to Cape Track.
The town becomes a flurry of activity between June and August each year as Humpback and Southern Right Whales converge in Flinders Bay to rest and play before continuing their journey north to calve and mate. Whale watching tours depart daily in season.
Augusta makes a great base from which to explore a number of surrounding attractions and activities including Hamelin Bay, Cape Leeuwin, Hardy Inlet, the Boranup Forest . Just a 45km drive from Margaret River, it also an essential stop as part of any southern capes scenic drive.
Local services include accommodation, supermarket, café, bakery and several stores.