Augusta, the small town where two big oceans meet

| Chris Riley

Augusta, a small town with a permanent population of just over1000 people, packs a hefty punch when it comes to scenery. In the hot summer months the population expands dramatically with tourists flocking to the town for everything it has on offer, including cooling winds off the two oceans that meet close by at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

Cape Leeuwin lighthouse where the Southern and Indian oceans meet
Islands offshore in the Southern Ocean

Not only does the township boast the meeting of the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean, but it also has two rivers that flow into the Hardy Inlet just above the township, the Blackwood River, and the Scott River. The waters from the inlet then flow out to Flinders Bay in the Southern ocean. As you can imagine a town with two rivers, an Inlet, and two oceans just has to be a fisher person’s idea of heaven.

  • A haven for boats
  • Jetties to fish from

The township is small, but comes with a supermarket, and enough little shops to please any tourists who fancy shopping as part of their holiday experience. We found a gorgeous little shop that sold all manner of little gifts, including drinking glasses manufactured in Africa from recycled coke bottles. There was also a gorgeous little cafe for dining in, or you could takeaway if you’d rather go down to the riverbank to eat in the great outdoors. You know us – we almost always will choose a picnic table in the great outdoors rather than sit inside four walls overlooking a main street.

  • Glasses recycled from coke bottles
  • I loved this swirly plate
  • This boat rocked when the pendulum swung to and fro
  • The local cafe also sold takeaway
  • and a few little nic naks as well
  • We chose to take our lunch to the riverbank

We purchased a couple of takeaway coffees, and to share – a toasted panini, a big home made sausage roll, and something sweet to finish off, and headed down to the riverbank.

Our lunch time entertainment – now you don’t get entertainment like that inside a cafe!

After a bite to eat, the bridge on the walk track beckoned. A nice, easy walk down a sealed track suitable for wheelchairs or prams, and dogs if on a leash, led us down to the river mouth where the waves gently rolled in to meet the waters in the inlet.

A bridge on the walk track beckoned – and of course we just had to see where the track led to

The river banks are lined with saltwater paper barks, as well as plenty of rushes and sedges which hold the riverbank in place.

  • Gorgeous paper barks

The plants and trees, tolerant of salt water, and strong salty winds provide shelter for a myriad of other plants, and a variety of birds.

  • The wide variety of birds
  • is indicative of a healthy river
  • and a stable eco system

There’s an off leash dog exercise area at the end of the river as the riverbank meanders around to join the beach on the shore of Flinders Bay. Mr Tilly enjoyed a romp with lots of seaweed, and rocks to sniff at, jump over and run around. There are dog water bowls and fresh water taps nearby so as your furry friend can have a refreshing drink after all that salt water activity.

The sparkling waters of the river
Waves rolling in towards the river mouth

It’s been a lot of years since we last visited Augusta, and I had forgotten how beautiful the place is. I don’t think we’ll be leaving so long between visits from now on. Next time we’re going to have stay a few days to do justice to such a scenic paradise, one day just wasn’t enough. What a pleasure that’ll be!

18 thoughts on “Augusta, the small town where two big oceans meet”

    1. That’s really interesting as locally it’s very much an overlooked place except by keen fisher people. I guess that’s why we haven’t visited there very often. When we went there recently it had me wondering why we don’t go there more often. It’s a really beautiful place, with plenty to do.

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    1. The water is absolutely gorgeous Sam, but being the Southern Ocean, it’s very cold water even in the middle of summer. I’m happy to paddle, and keep swims for in the warmer waters up the coast a bit in the warmer Indian Ocean. You are right, those glasses were really interesting. I was tempted, but we already have more than we need.

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    1. It is beautiful isn’t it. I’d forgotten just how beautiful, in fact I don’t think I’d realised how beautiful it was before. I think I have give blogging the credit for that – I think blogging heightens one’s ability to actually one’s eyes and really see!

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      2. I only said almost exactly the same thing to Paul when we were out to lunch today. I think that’s what blogging and photographing does – it makes you more aware of your surroundings.

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    1. Because it’s such a small place it’s often overlooked, except by keen Fisher people. I can see that’s changing a bit now though, and the town is clearly expanding its tourism market. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.

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  7. It looks idyllic. I will add it to my list of spots should I ever get over that way. Mainly because of the ceramics, but also because it looks pristine and there is a chance to see a bandicoot.
    I am impressed that they are recycling glass from Coke bottles. Was that done locally, Chris?

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    1. Amanda the glasses are made in and imported from Swaziland. Mr Tilly alerted us to the presence of the bandicoot. I’m pleased he was on a leash. It’s quite an unpretentious little town, with just enough in the way of shops and an abundance of gorgeous scenery. Its location means it’s usually relatively cool in the summer months too, so that would suit you if you ventured this way in the summertime. In the winter though it’s cold, and not nice crisp cold, it’s cold winds that blow right through you.

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