Inspiration on how to spend a day exploring Augusta.
Not being on the way to anything is Augusta’s secret superpower.
It means the people who adventure there know how special it is. And of course, there’s less bustle. The relaxed seaside town is three hours and twenty minutes south of Perth.
If you’re heading that way, here are some ideas on how to spend a beautiful day in Augusta.
The Colourpatch is a café restaurant that overlooks the Blackwood River. Inside you’ll find a beautifully restored wooden yacht, built in the sixties by Jim Thompson, a retired farmer from Albany. They also do a great Big Breakfast.
Just 300 metres from the Colourpatch, at the bottom of Albany Terrace, is Seine Bay. From here, you can start a 2.4 kilometre walk along bridge, boardwalk and bitumen. It’s an easy meander, which follows the Blackwood River to Ellis Street Jetty near town.
Along the way, you’re bound to see the odd pelican. If you’re lucky, a dolphin too. The walk should take you about an hour, and afterwards, you can swim out to the pontoon or rest awhile on the grass under shady trees. If you have kids, there’s an amazing playground. Let the little ones run amuck while you take in the bay. It’s the little moments that make a day in Augusta special.
There are a couple of options in town to satiate your fish and chips craving. OG Cafe on the main street has a stellar reputation among locals and visitors to town alike, for serving up delicious fresh food with a smile. Augusta Fish & Chips is also located on the main street, or for a sit-down meal head to the Augusta Hotel for generous servings and million dollar views over the Blackwood River.
Jump in the car and head to Granny’s Pool, a waist deep hamlet surrounded by rocks –perfect for little people and the elderly folk its name celebrates. If the other side of Augusta is wild, you’re likely to find good conditions here.
If it’s warm enough (or you’re brave enough) don a snorkel and explore, or search for crabs among the rocks. When you’re done, your next pitstop is the newly refurbished Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse – a nine-minute drive, which takes you to the very tip of the peninsula. On a calm day in the winter months, a stop at one of the lookouts might reward you with sightings of the Southern Right and Humpback whales that frequent the coast. Or to really witness these incredible mammals up close, a whale watching tour is guaranteed to be a memorable experience.
Guided tours of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse happen every half hour, and will set you back around twenty dollars (ten for kids under 16). The tour takes you to the top of the lighthouse, which is perfect for spotting whales and taking in the rugged coastline views.
Hamelin Bay is about three epic road trip tunes away. It’s famous for the wild sting rays, which swim close to shore looking for scraps from the fisherman. Sting ray etiquette says its best to admire them from the beach, not in the water. The swimming at Hamelin Bay is next-level, just find a spot clear of rays and head on in.
The ruined jetty at Hamelin Bay is a relic of the busy timber shipping hub it used to be. In 1900 the old jetty was abandoned, after five ships wrecked in a powerful storm. Divers can still explore the wrecks.
Gusty’s Pizza is a local legend, serving up hand rolled, wood fired pizza and slow cooked ribs in a 1951 Guy Arab Bus. You’ll see the bus parked up just before you hit town. It’s a good idea to call ahead, since they sell out most nights. Gusty’s is best enjoyed on the park benches out front, or take dinner away to a quiet spot by the Blackwood River.
Or if you are feeling like a classic pub meal with the best views around, head to the Augusta Hotel for a relaxed vibe and cheery small-town service. If the sun is shining the deck is the ideal spot to sit back and watch the waves, or during the cooler months see if you can snag a spot by the fire for super toasty vibes.
Meandering along the Blackwood River is one of the most incredible ways to explore Augusta. Blackwood River Houseboats owner, Pamela Winter, says boats cruise along 28 kilometres of untouched national parkland. “It’s really beautiful and it’s a real wilderness experience,” she says, “It’s just you and the river.”
You don’t need a skipper’s ticket to hire a houseboat, just an induction session to make sure you operate the vessel safely. Houseboats are heated in winter, and come with a dinghy so you can moor close to town and head to shore.
Enjoy taking life down a notch in this special town.
