Augusta Caves & Coastline Trail

The Blackwood River is Augusta’s playground, but at some 400 km long, it offers many hidden water holes and camping spots throughout the Margaret River Region’s hinterland. The river is the longest in Australia’s South West, commencing right up in the Wheatbelt. Running through state and national forest, there are many picnic, swimming and camping spots to explore along its length, as well as three notable bridges. In Augusta, the river makes up the vast Hardy Inlet, popular for boating, fishing, canoeing, swimming (and even house boating!). There are beautiful walks along the river’s banks and much birdlife to discover.

The most accessible way to take a dip in the Southern Ocean is at Flinders Bay, south of Augusta’s town centre. It’s here that the wild south begins. One of its more scenic and tranquil spots is Granny’s Pool, located at the old Flinders Bay Settlement. There’s a park right on the water with picnic tables, a ship-style playground and barbecues. The jetty here is a marker for the daily swimmers who even brave the chilly waters in winter! There’s lots to do for all ages like swimming, paddling, fishing, crabbing, snorkelling or watching the pelicans.

Towering karri trees, some over 60 m in height, undulate across the valley. With sunlight streaming onto their smooth trunks, this is one of the best sights in the Margaret River Region. Boranup Forest is a feast for the senses with the forest floor tumbling with wildflowers, orchids and funghi (in season) together with the sounds of native birds and the fresh scent of eucalypt. Along Boranup Drive, you’ll find the Boranup Lookout which takes in views across the picturesque forest and the stunning turquoise waters of nearby Hamelin Bay. The lookout also marks the start of some lovely bushwalks and has a great picnic spot.

If you plan to travel or stay near bushland, please be aware of potential risks that may occur during the bushfire season. Refer to the DFES website for advice and updates.

The idyllic coastal haven of Hamelin Bay offers a vast expanse of bright white sand, sparkling turquoise waters filled with marine life, and spectacular limestone cliffs. The sheltered bay is great for swimming, snorkelling and fishing, and divers can explore the nearby shipwreck. The stingrays that call this sanctuary zone home are wild animals so please remember to look but don’t touch or feed them.

Combining innovation with forest exploration on their tours (where the environmental impact is top-of-mind) to give a unique trail experience suitable for everyone aged four to 94. All that’s needed is a current driver’s license (but if you don’t have one, join a friend as a passenger). The tour is the only one of its kind to hit the Forest Grove trail area, complete with untouched forest, shaded laneways, open paddocks, lakes and hidden paths. It’s 18 kilometres of trail in 90 minutes aboard an all-electric and environmentally-sensitive EcoBike, designed and built just for EcoAdventures.

A true wine and food experience stripped back to its essential basics and crafted by a multi-generational farming family. Everything at Glenarty Road feels genuine, from the farmhouse to the roving animals and the rustic tin sheds. This is a farming dream come to life: paying homage to the land, the region and family history, through regenerative agriculture. The property houses a sheep farm, a vineyard and a vegetable garden. Expect crafted wines, grass-fed meats, seasonal produce, house-made charcuterie and a farm-to-table style feast.

An iconic venue that has dominated generations of family holidays on the Blackwood River foreshore of Augusta. The Colourpatch Café has undergone an exciting and modern iteration, and has one of the best waterside dining views in the entire region. The café and bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a casual drink or a takeaway meal. Seafood share plates, pizzas, burgers and classic fish and chips are on the menu. The interior gives a nod to the maritime heritage of the area, especially the ten-metre, fully restored 1960s yacht.

Caves Road is so-called for its many ancient limestone caves, but Jewel Cave is arguably the best showpiece of them all. It’s Western Australia’s biggest show cave, with three massive chambers of incredible beauty. A fully guided one-hour tour takes in all its wondrous formations, like one of the longest “straw” stalactites in Australia, beautiful flowstone, cave coral and more. Learn about Tasmanian tiger activity here thousands of years ago. Opt for a self-guided walk through the karri forest or pop into the adjoining café during your visit.

A visit to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse comes with the rush of the open wild; it’s one of the four geographical ‘corners’ of Australia and the place where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. This is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia (and one that’s still working – vital for seafarers navigating around the treacherous Cape). The Interpretive Centre, housed in an original lighthouse keepers’ cottage, holds an interactive experience about the history and life of the building since its construction in 1895. Otherwise, visit to spot whales from May to September, or pop into the café.

A fun little boutique cellar door offering private tastings of their single vineyard, handpicked wines that are made locally with love! Currently pouring their award-winning Rose, light fruity shiraz and exceptional cab sav, along with nibbles and chats with the owners, The Valley Margaret River’s little cellar door is a gem of an experience if you like to support the emerging new kids on the block.

Home to the world’s only fishery using internationally respected Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified sustainable practices to produce wild-caught Greenlip abalone. While currently producing more than 20% of the global supply of this premium seafood, Rare Foods Australia are on a persistent pursuit to grow and deliver new, exciting product ranges, underpinned by their commitment to offer only rare and reassuringly sustainable produce from the pristine South-West of Western Australia. At their waterfront Ocean Pantry, they welcome visitors to browse these premium, locally sourced offerings, including their luxury Two Oceans Wild Abalone brand. Guests can also book a tour of their world-class processing facility and find out about their innovative ocean-cellared wine-making process.

Margaret River Sculpture Park & Gallery features giant sculptures carved from recycled wood, stone and more, formed amidst a landscape of coastal heath that changes continually with the colours of each season. Go on an artwork treasure hunt and connect with nature, fully immersed in the Leeuwin Ridges’ wild beauty. Sunrise and sunset tours are available, guided by artist Brendan Booth. You can even take a piece of this magical experience home. The Wood Be Good Woodcraft Gallery features masterpieces such as dining tables, recycled jarrah mirrors, custom cabinet work and more stunning furniture and homewares crafted from West Australian hardwoods.

A fascinating collection of artefacts, photographs and books documenting the rich history of the Augusta-Margaret River Region. Augusta Historical Museum was established in 1979 to preserve the town’s local history and to share it with others. Displays include details of families involved in the settlement of Augusta in 1830, which was the third European settlement in Western Australia. Also showcased are artefacts from local shipwrecks, from the MC Davies timber empire (1880s to 1915), the local environment, personal effects of early settlers, details of the 1920s group settlements, commemorative china, coins and medals, garments from various eras, church organs and the whale rescue events which put Augusta on world news headlines.

This magical cave is a natural time capsule; home to ancient fossil remains of long-extinct giant animals. A fascinating audio tour is available in several languages. Mammoth Cave is a self-guided cave, where visitors explore along the boardwalks and platforms, through the majestic chambers of the cave. This is much more than a cave – it is a complete nature experience. A visit to Mammoth Cave finishes with a winding walk through a beautiful marri forest. The marri forest is currently regenerating and reinventing itself following recent fires.

The locally-owned and run authority on accommodation in scenic Augusta, with well over 30 different holiday homes in its portfolio, from humble units to modern main street townhouses and architectural beachside homes. The company is more than just a booking service, with an intimate knowledge of the region to help with any holiday planning, activity or day trip advice. The team can arrange hire services, beauty and wellness treatments, breakfast provisions and hampers and more. Experience Augusta prides itself on personal service.