Holiday houses in Augusta

Australia’s most southwesterly town, Augusta sits at the mouth of the Blackwood River on the shores of Hardy Inlet and Flinders Bay, the latter setting the scene for some of Australia’s best whale watching from late May until the end of August. But visitors come year round to see the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, a historic working lighthouse perched at the tip of a dramatic peninsula just south of town. Check out the interpretive centre, housed within one of the original lighthouse keepers’ cottages, before touring Australia’s tallest lighthouse, built from local limestone in 1895.

Augusta also sits at the southern end of the Cape to Cape Track, a spectacular hiking trail meandering for 135 kilometres along the Western Australian coast from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin. The full trail can be tackled in five to nine days, or you can divide it into shorter walks. While you’re in town, don’t miss the fascinating Augusta Historical Museum, which charts the history of the state’s third-oldest settlement.

Augusta is a popular summer destination, when the weather is ideal for swimming, kitesurfing, and other water sports. In March, Augusta hosts the Augusta River Festival with markets, food stalls, fireworks, and family-friendly activities.

With limited shade along the Cape to Cape Track, hiking is typically more comfortable during the cooler months. Aim to book an accommodation in Augusta for spring if you can, when the coastal scenery is supercharged with wildflowers — more than 2,500 wildflower species alone can be found in this biodiversity hotspot. Whales arrive off the coast in the winter months, with the peak of southern right whale season typically in August, when mothers use Flinders Bay as a nursery for their newborn calves. Boat tours run twice daily during the season.

Explore Jewel Cave

Less than 10 minutes northwest of Augusta, Jewel Cave is the largest and arguably most spectacular show cave in Western Australia. Featuring three enormous chambers, the cave contains beautiful examples of flowstone such as the Frozen Waterfall and the Organ Pipes. Guided tours run for an hour.

Take a dip in Granny’s Pool

If you’re in the mood for a swim, make your way to Granny’s Pool, a picturesque natural rock pool just north of Augusta’s boat harbour. Protected from the wild swells of the Southern Ocean, the shallow pool (perfect for kids) is an idyllic shade of turquoise. Around 200 metres to the north is a picnic area and a children’s playground.

Swim in Hamelin Bay

Less than 20 minutes northwest of Augusta, Hamelin Bay is famous for its abundance of huge, friendly stingrays that swim right up to the beach — although feeding them is discouraged. The serene sandy bay is also a gorgeous swimming spot; bring a picnic lunch if you’re planning to make a day of it, as the only dining option here is a small kiosk selling ice creams and snacks.