Day 8 - Augusta
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The third oldest settlement in Western Australia
Augusta
Named after a Princess, the town of Augusta lies on the south-western tip of Australia. To view the wilderness of Cape Leeuwin nearby and absorb the realisation that this is where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, make Augusta seem like a last frontier. Many nautical miles further south is, after all, Antarctica.
Augusta is the third oldest settlement in Western Australia. The first explorers were sealers and whalers. It wasn’t until the first Europeans arrived in 1830 that the Blackwood River was chartered, named and a settlement declared.
The town has known, and still has, a seafaring life. Fishing here is about as good as it gets. Augusta overlooks Flinders Bay and Hardy Inlet where the sea and river converge. As a result, the marine and birdlife here is phenomenal. The area is famous for some of the best close up views of the Humpback, Southern Right and Blue Whales known to grace these waters.
The coast around Augusta takes in the tranquil blue waters of Hamelin Bay which is often visited by stingrays and dolphins. Western Australia’s largest tourism cave, Jewel Cave, lies hidden under the soothing Karri forest nearby and the smaller village of Karridale smiles amid wineries, spectacular forests and productive farming land.
But it is the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, poised on one of the great southern capes of the world, which stands as the silent sentinel to days gone by, and of days yet to come, in Augusta.
Things to see and do
- Ascend the historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse for spectacular views of the surrounding ocean and rolling green hills.
- Hire a canoe and travel along the Blackwood River to discover the native flora and fauna of the area.
- Improve your History Knowledge -Visit the Augusta Museum to find out why the town was named after a Princess. Explore the railway heritage at the Rails to Trails old station site.
- Augusta is the bottom point of the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park and features the beautiful Jewel Cave.
- Hamelin Bay near Augusta has wonderful swimming beaches.
- Explore one of the Great Capes of the World and climb Western Australia’s tallest Lighthouse. Tours are available and will give you an in-depth understanding of the rich maritime adventure that proceeded settlement and gave Augusta its life. Check out the fossilised water wheel also located in the Lighthouse precinct.
- Cruise the Blackwood. No visit here is complete without a trip along the Blackwood through to Hardy’s inlet and Molloy Island. Four local dolphins, Yellow Spoonbills, Black Swans and Pelicans will greet you. Enjoy a river picnic and a swim. Better still, have a break from camping and overnight on a river houseboat for a true Augustan experience.
- Hook your dinner. It’s teeming here from both the beach and river. Evening is the best forriver fishing where you can catch Tailor, Bream Trevally, Whiting, Salmon and Trout, depending on the time of year. You can also fish off a river jetty or hire a boat. Beach fishing can produce Herring, Whiting, Garfish, Silver Bream and much more.
- Don’t miss a tour of Western Australia’s largest tourism Cave, Jewel. The formations and silence will astound you in this underground natural treasure. This cave has one of the longest straw stalactites in the world and the original discovery and exploration of this cave through a hole in the ground will astound you.
- Go beachcombing on the Flinder’s Bay Beaches. Take a refreshing swim in Granny’s Pool, the natural swimming pool in Flinder’s Bay, or do some surfing at Jay’s Beach.
- Get to Know the Locals: Try a round of golf – but watch out the locals are talented! Enjoy a drink and meal in town.
- Take Photos: Check out the 360 degree panoramic view from Hillview Lookout atop the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge and the “divine view” from the Lumen Christi Church.
