3 day family holiday in Augusta

Augusta is the Margaret River Region’s best kept secret, and the quintessential family holiday town for rest, recuperation and reconnection.

It’s only forty kilometres from the ever-popular Margaret River township, and though that might not sound like a lot, it’s a different world down here. You’ll notice it in the land and seascapes, as the jarrah and marri trees give way to the towering karri forest of the Valley of the Giants, and the Indian Ocean greets its raw and unpredictable Southern cousin. Augusta is also home to the South West’s largest waterway, the Blackwood River, which cuts a swathe through hidden valleys and secluded woodlands.

To help you navigate your way around, we’ve revealed some of Augusta’s hidden gems in this action-packed three-day itinerary – including experiences with some of the most unique locally-run tours the region has to offer. Augusta is the region’s answer to nostalgia for family holidays of old, providing total immersion in serene nature, the opportunity to unwind and to get a taste of the region’s finest produce.

Blackwood River Houseboats

One of the region’s most unique accommodation offerings, a stay at Blackwood River Houseboats has you completely immersed in this thriving waterway, surrounded by bush walks and birdlife, the odd dolphin and, of course, enough private fishing spots to poke a rod at. The houseboats are fully self-contained, complete with a functioning kitchen (in which to cook up your catch) and front and rear decks for relaxation.

Hamelin Bay Holiday Park

You couldn’t ask for a prettier location than Hamelin Bay Holiday Park. Situated directly on the bay, you are on the doorstep of one of the region’s most picturesque beaches and can take the boat out for some sunset fishing, or cook up a barbie with produce from the on-site general store. Cabins are a convenient and great option, but camping is just as fun, and there are plenty of excellent sites under the peppermint trees. With Cosy Corner to the south, there is so much to discover in this part of the world. And of course – don’t forget to say hello (from a distance) to the wild sting rays who live in the bay!

Wisteria Cottage Augusta

Set on 13 acres of peaceful bushland just 10km from Augusta, Wisteria Cottage is a tranquil stay close to local favourites likes Jewel Cave and Hamelin Bay. Kids will love meeting the resident ducks, chickens, and dogs – and with alpacas on the way! The cottage offers a cosy home-away-from-home feel, with extra sleeping space via a sofa bed in the lounge. Nature lovers will appreciate the birdlife, spring blossoms, and the stunning wisteria in bloom.

Molloy Hideaway Holiday Park

About 15km north east of Augusta, peaceful Molloy Hideaway Holiday Park is nestled on the banks of the Blackwood River, right next to Molloy Island. Here, the whole family can relax in a natural bush setting among native wildlife. Little and grown-up travellers will be kept busy water skiing, fishing, kayaking/canoeing, paddle-boarding and whale watching. Depending on what works best for your family, book a cottage, cabin, chalet, or camping site.

Harmony Forest

Idyllic Harmony Forest offers a stunning backdrop for your family holiday, surrounded by karri forest. The cabins were designed with families in mind, featuring two bedrooms, kitchenette, fridge, BBQ and firepit. Explore the nearby walking trails, spot native wildlife and take in the scenic lake views. Lake Cave, Mammoth Cave and Boranup Forest are only a 10-minute drive away.

Flinders Bay House by Private Properties

Hamptons-style Flinders Bay House has been a family favourite for many years, and recently, Private Properties added another Augusta gem to their portfolio. Beautiful Jay’s Beach House boasts two stories, picturesque bay views and plenty of natural light. Holidays here start with the sound of waves and long sips of coffee on the balcony, drift into sandy adventures spent in rockpools, on the boat or paddling down the Blackwood River, and end with board games and grazing dinners.

Morning

Ease into breakfast on the Augusta Foreshore with The Colourpatch Cafe & Bar. You can sit back and relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy a beautiful view of the Blackwood River, and kids (and adults) will love the delicious Patch Pancakes with banana, caramel and vanilla ice cream.

Then, for a change of pace, jump on a solar-powered electric quad bike and head off on a guided tour of the beautiful Boranup Forest with Eco Adventures. You will see a side of the region that only a lucky few get to experience, and driving along on a whisper-quiet bike will connect you both to nature and your adventurous side. It’s fun for the whole family with riders aged from 4 to 94, all able to enjoy the tour.

This area is also abundant in million-year-old limestone caves, so you could spend a couple of hours exploring one. There are guided tours at Jewel Cave, which are perfect for older kids, and a self-guided audio tour at Mammoth Cave, ideal for younger ones.

Lunch

For lunch, stop at the rustic Karridale Tavern, where the outdoor tables are crafted from giant karri stumps. Karridale was once the epicentre of the entire region thanks to a thriving timber trade, and this pub is a relic of past prosperity. The bronzie burger is a winner, made from fresh-caught local whaler shark.

If you’ve got time, check out the Margaret River Sculpture Park, where the interactive ‘Giants Garden’ houses dozens of wooden sculptures. Some are up to four metres tall, and all were handcrafted with a chainsaw. Alternatively, spend some time cruising Augusta’s main street shopping for gifts, or head to the Augusta Historical Museum, also on Main Street, to check out the displays.

Afternoon / Evening

Take a late-afternoon walk along the Augusta Rivermouth beach, where spanning the horizon are the towering cliffs of a mostly inaccessible section of WA’s South Coast. The Hardy Inlet and Blackwood River are home to an abundance of unique and fragile wildlife, such as an array of bird species, stingrays, and dolphins, all enjoying the shallow and protected waters.

Enjoy dinner and a panoramic river and ocean view at sunset from the deck at the Augusta Hotel.

Morning

After breakfast, head for a swim at the sheltered Flinders Bay, Western Australia’s original whaling settlement. This quaint seaside settlement is also a fantastic spot for whale watching between June and September, when the WA coastline becomes a highway for migrating humpback and southern right whales. If you’re visiting during this period, both Naturaliste Charters, Whale Watch Western Australia, and All Sea Charters offer open-ocean adventures, spotting migrating humpbacks and southern right whales.

From here, head down to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. This is the most South-Westerly point of Western Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. The lighthouse is the tallest on Australia’s mainland, and was painstakingly constructed using local limestone. Visit the award-winning interpretive centre housed within an old lighthouse keeper’s cottage, and learn all about the harsh realities for families living in this isolated place over the last 100 years. Grab some lunch, tea, or light refreshments from the Lighthouse’s Leeuwin Bean Cafe – the scones are legendary.

Afternoon

After lunch, head to the nearby Water Wheel, and observe the work of some of WA’s first Europeans. This structure pumped water from a nearby spring for the lighthouse builders to mix mortar, and later piped in water to the lighthouse for its keepers. The one-hour walking trail to Skippy Beach, past colossal granite rocks, rock pools, and coastal bushland, is also worth a hike.

While away the afternoon by joining a guided fishing tour with Augusta Wild Fish Tours – all equipment, local knowledge, and fishing expertise are provided. The tours are tailored to accommodate everyone from novices to seasoned anglers, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all.

Or if you’d rather do your own thing, head to Augusta Boat Harbour to dangle a line, or the sheltered estuary, where at the Ellis Street jetty you can hire a paddleboard, kayak, tinny, or fish for silver bream. While at the harbour, don’t miss popping into Subsea Estate, serving up fresh abalone, seafood, and delicious wine – stirred by the ocean.

Morning

Grab some breakfast or stock up on the day’s supplies at the Augusta Bakery, then head down to West Bay and take a tour up the Blackwood River with Augusta River Tours. Along the way are bush walks, fishing spots, a bird sanctuary, unique wildflowers, wild river dolphins, a private island, and over 25 kilometres of National Park protected by a river reserve.

For lunch, look no further than Glenarty Road, an intergenerational boutique farm with a vineyard, winery, cellar door, and a paddock-to-plate restaurant experience. Sample their wines on a ‘ground to glass’ tasting tour, and gorge on a meal of their fresh grass-fed lamb.

Afternoon

On the way back into town, stop in at Hamelin Bay Wines for a few final sips of the region’s finest. If a gin and tonic is more your thing, head to Wild Lot Distillery instead. Explore their beautiful range of farm-fresh, small-batch spirits while the little ones are kept busy building lego, spotting birds or running off some energy in the spacious garden. Top tip: Get a seasonal grazing board to share if anyone is still peckish, and you’re all set for the drive back.

For a secret shortcut back to Perth, travel down Sue’s Road, a lovely countryside drive which pops out near Capel and shaves almost half an hour off the alternate trip. Just watch the kangaroos! Or, why not explore more of the Margaret River Region – another three days in Yallingup, Dunsborough or Busselton instead, perhaps?