Cape Leeuwin

Cape Southwestern Australian headland marking two ocean meeting

At Australia’s south‑west tip, Cape Leeuwin hosts a working lighthouse, coastal walking tracks and whale‑watching; travelers tour the lighthouse and scan the headlands for marine life.

Cape Leeuwin is the most south-westerly point of mainland Australia, located near the town of Augusta in Western Australia and marked by a historic lighthouse completed in the 1890s. The cape is an important coastal navigation point.

The lighthouse precinct and adjacent headland provide coastal walking paths, interpretive signage and offshore viewing points. The headland is used for whale watching during migration and for observing rugged coastal scenery.

A lighthouse was constructed at the cape in the late 19th century to improve safety for shipping along Australia’s south-western approaches; it has since been maintained as both a navigational aid and a visitor attraction.

Situated at the southwestern tip of the Australian mainland near Augusta in Western Australia, the cape projects into open ocean and is accessible by road from nearby townships.

Ocean meeting point: Often described as the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans, the cape is a navigational landmark on Australia's southwest coast.

What to See #

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse: A late 19th-century lighthouse built at the cape to assist coastal shipping where two major oceanic influences meet.

How to Get to Cape Leeuwin #

Cape Leeuwin (lighthouse) is at the south‑west tip of Western Australia near the town of Augusta. By car it’s most commonly reached from Perth via the Kwinana/Bussell Highway route - roughly a 3.5-4 hour drive (about 330 km) - or from nearby Margaret River and Augusta by much shorter drives. There is a car park at the reserve and a short walk from the parking area to the lighthouse; limited tour buses and local operators run day trips from Margaret River and Augusta.

Tips for Visiting Cape Leeuwin #

Aim for late afternoon around sunset for the most photogenic light at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and to see the coastline where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
Join a guided lighthouse tour through the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse/Discovery Centre rather than just viewing from outside-tours run regularly but can fill in peak season, so prebook on weekends/public holidays.
Combine the Cape with the nearby walking tracks (Cliff Top Walk) and the visitor centre; if you want whale sightings, visit in the austral winter-spring months (roughly June-October) when migrating whales are commonly offshore.