Augusta and Cape Leeuwin Where the land runs out between two oceans

Augusta is where the Blackwood River meets Flinders Bay and the mainland runs out of south-west. Here's the lighthouse and its 176 steps, the town at the river mouth, and an honest word about where to buy local on the way down.

By Made Down South, Busselton · Facts checked against Capes Foundation, Tourism WA and Wikipedia information, September 2026

Lighthouse steps
176Fully guided tours only
Whales
May to AugustTours from town, and from the lighthouse if you're lucky
From Perth
322 km146 km from Bunbury
Makers in Augusta
None yetWe haven't found one. Shop in Margaret River on the way down

Swim where there are flags

Down here the coast faces two oceans, and we don't have patrol information for any beach in this guide, Flinders Bay and Hamelin Bay included. Many beaches in the region aren't patrolled at all.

If you're swimming, pick a beach with lifesavers on duty in season and stay between the red and yellow flags. Anywhere else, keep it to a paddle, and keep a close eye on children the whole time.

Three stops, south to the corner

From Margaret River down to Augusta, then out to the lighthouse on the cape. Scroll down and the line drives it with you.

  1. STOP 1

    Margaret River: stock up first

    We haven't found a maker based in Augusta itself, so do your shopping before you get there. Parking is free in the Shire's towns, with a few timed bays on the main street.

    The Margaret River Fudge Factory has made fudge by hand in Margaret River since 1999, and its shop on the main street has a window onto the kitchen. Vasse Virgin's main street store sells olive oil soap and skincare, and a pantry range built on its own extra virgin olive oil. For more, our Margaret River chocolate trail covers the chocolate makers in and around town. The South West gift guide sorts the makers by who you're buying for.

    South of town, towards Augusta, Whirlwind Farm grows olives near Karridale for extra virgin olive oil and table olives. Its website says you're welcome to call in at the farm shop, so check its site before you go.

    FudgeMade by hand, behind a window
    ParkingFree, a few timed bays on the main street
    In AugustaNo makers we've found yet

    For the lighthouse car park

    Margaret River Fudge Factory sells most of its flavours in 120 g portions, which is about the right size for the lighthouse car park. On a warm day, keep it out of the sun.

  2. STOP 2

    Augusta: where the river meets the bay

    Augusta sits in the far south-western corner of the state, where the Blackwood River runs out into Flinders Bay. It's 322 km from Perth and 146 km from Bunbury. At the 2021 census it was home to 1,211 people, so don't expect a traffic jam.

    Noongar people lived here for an estimated 45,000 years before settlers arrived in 1830, John Molloy and members of the Bussell and Turner families among them. The town takes its name from Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex.

    From May to August, whale-watching tours run from Augusta, says Tourism WA. In spring the boats have finished here for the year, and the tours run from Dunsborough and Busselton instead. Our whale watching guide has both calendars.

    Flinders Bay is right there at the river mouth. We don't have patrol information for it, so read the swim note above before anyone goes in.

    RiverThe Blackwood, into Flinders Bay
    Whale toursMay to August
    SwimmingCheck Beachsafe first
  3. STOP 3

    Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

    Cape Leeuwin is the most south-westerly point of mainland Australia, and where the Southern and Indian oceans meet. The lighthouse on it is the tallest on mainland Australia, and the only way up is a guided tour.

    The tour takes about 30 minutes, with stories of shipwrecks on the way, and it's 176 steps to the viewing platform, by the Capes Foundation's count. Between May and August, the Foundation says, you may spot whales migrating along the shore.

    The Cape to Cape Track finishes here too. In our five-day plan, the last day comes in from Hamelin Bay. For the full walk, lighthouse to lighthouse, see the Cape to Cape Track guide.

    TourFully guided, about 30 minutes
    Steps176 to the viewing platform
    WhalesMay to August, from the shore

    If 176 steps is too many

    The Capes Foundation also sells a pass for the grounds and museum, without the climb.

Before you go

  1. Check lighthouse tour times on the Capes Foundation's site, and book ahead in busy periods: it says its tours often sell out.
  2. Adding Jewel Cave near Augusta? The Capes Foundation says bookings are essential.
  3. Hoping for whales? Tours run from Augusta from May to August.
  4. Swimming? We don't have patrol information for Flinders Bay or Hamelin Bay, so check Beachsafe first.
  5. Bringing the dog? In the Shire's public spaces it stays on a lead unless you're in a designated exercise area, and the Cape to Cape Track is off limits.
  6. Shop on the way down. We haven't found a maker based in Augusta itself.

Augusta questions

What are the best things to do in Augusta WA?

Augusta, Western Australia, sits in the far south-western corner of the state, where the Blackwood River meets Flinders Bay. Start at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, at the point where the Southern and Indian oceans meet. Guided tours climb 176 steps to the viewing platform. From May to August, whale-watching tours run from town. We haven't found a maker based in Augusta itself, so shop in Margaret River on the way down.

Can you go up Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse?

Yes, but only on a guided tour. Tours take about 30 minutes and climb 176 steps to the viewing platform, with stories of shipwrecks on the way. If the climb isn't for you, the Capes Foundation also sells a pass for the grounds and museum. Check its site for tour times before you go.

Where do the two oceans meet?

At Cape Leeuwin, near Augusta, Western Australia, as the lighthouse's operators describe it. It's the most south-westerly point of mainland Australia, with the Indian Ocean to the west and the Southern Ocean to the south. The lighthouse on the cape is the tallest on mainland Australia.

Can you do Augusta as a day trip from Margaret River?

Yes. Augusta, Western Australia, is south of Margaret River, and the lighthouse tour takes about 30 minutes, so the lighthouse and the town fit in a day. Check the drive on a map before you set off. We haven't found a maker in Augusta itself, so shop in Margaret River on the way down: the Fudge Factory and Vasse Virgin are both on the main street.

Where is Hamelin Bay?

On the coast north of Augusta, Western Australia. In our Cape to Cape Track plan, the last day starts there and runs about 23 km to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, and there's a holiday park at the bay. It's open water and we don't have patrol information for it, so check Beachsafe before anyone swims.

Do you need to book Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse?

It's wise in busy times. The Capes Foundation recommends booking its lighthouse tours online, because they often sell out in peak periods. Tours are fully guided, take about 30 minutes and climb 176 steps, and children must be at least four to climb. Check its site for tour times and current prices.

How far is Augusta from Margaret River?

About 40 km down Bussell Highway, going by Main Roads' road-distance figures, so the drive is short. Our Margaret River itinerary finishes here, with the caves and the karri forest on the way down.

Is Augusta dog friendly?

On a lead, mostly. Augusta is in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, where dogs must be on a lead in public spaces unless they're in a designated dog exercise area. The Shire lists exercise areas and no-dog stretches at Augusta, with a map. The Cape to Cape Track, which finishes at Cape Leeuwin, is off limits to dogs. See our dog-friendly South West guide for the other towns.

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