A Local’s Guide to Augusta Walking Trails

Tucked away at the end of Caves Road, this is one part of the region less frequently visited. That, of course, adds to the adventure you can find down there.

The country surrounding Augusta is more heavily forested than other parts of the region, thanks mostly to the fertile soils of the Blackwood Valley.  It is also where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet, and has a different, wilder feel to the rest of the region’s coast.

There are plenty of walking tracks where you can experience Augusta at its finest and immerse yourself in all the natural beauty it has to offer. Here are a few to get you started.

• Time: 1-2 days
• Distance: 25km
• Difficulty: Hard

This is arguably one of the most challenging and stunning sections of the 125km Cape to Cape walking track. From Cape Leeuwin the track skirts big granite boulders along the coast, before dropping down steep cliffs onto Deepdene Beach. This is a long, stunning beach, where you will feel like you are the only one in the world.

This is a walk for experienced hikers with soft sand and difficult terrain and will take 1-2 days.

For those looking for a milder version of the walk, try Hamelin Bay to Deepdene, which is 10km and will take between half and a full day of walking. You’ll pass the old lighthouse at the beautiful and sheltered Foul Bay, and the granite outcrops of Cosy Corner and Elephant Rock before you arrive at the long expanse of beach that is Deepdene.

Tip: Let Cape To Cape Explorer Tours take care of the planning and logistics, so you can focus on enjoying the experience.

• Time: 4-6 hours
• Distance: 9km
• Difficulty: Medium

Starting at the Augusta Boat Harbour, head up and around Skippy Rock Road for stunning vistas of the rugged coastline. You can look out over two different oceans, and coast that faces west, south, and east.

This is a moderately difficult walk along a gravel road. It will take you along beaches, rocks, and through coastal bushland.

Where the path descends to Skippy Rock, check out the fossilised water wheel that the early settlers used to supply the lighthouse keepers with water.

From Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, head east along the south facing bays, and back to the foreshore at Flinders Bay.

There are picnic tables and facilities here, and it makes a tranquil spot to stop for lunch.

• Time: 1-3 hours
• Distance: 6km
• Difficulty: Easy

This is an easy walk along a paved track from the Blackwood rivermouth to the boat harbour at Flinders Bay. It is perfect for young children and families and offers plenty of ideal vantage points to spot wildlife.

Along the waterfront, you’ll pass shady peppermint and paperbark trees, cormorants, pelicans, and maybe even a pod of dolphins.

If you’re lucky, you’ll see whale action in the form of breaching and tail slapping acrobatics from late May to August. The walk runs through the Flinders Bay Caravan Park and is well signposted.