Situated on Cape Leeuwin, the most south-westerly point of the Australian Continent and at the mouth of the Blackwood River. The town has an extensive history as well as spectacular coastlines. The colour of the water will simply astound you. Attractions include Whale Watching, Jewel Cave, Hamelin Bay and the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. 320kms south-west of Perth. HISTORY: Originally explored by the Dutch in 1622, it was, however, Matthew Flinders who named the south-western tip of the coastline "Cape Leeuwin" on 6 December 1801. The first European 'settlers' in the area were the whalers and sealers who sought protection from the storms of the southern ocean. Reports of the land were good, so, on March 12, 1830, Augusta was founded by James Stirling accompanied by settlers from the ship "Barque Warrior". Up until the 1870s, the town struggled to grow due to the obstructed transport back up to Perth. The town suddenly grew when the value of the local hardwood trees Karri and Jarrah was recognised and local sawmills were setup