Just a stone’s throw from the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (about 400m north) is the Waterwheel, and it’s such a cool little detour. The ancient relic is on the State Heritage Register and has a really interesting history, plus the area surrounding it is fun to explore with the fam.
Found about 10 minutes by car from Augusta, the waterwheel was built back in 1895 to provide fresh water to the lighthouse keepers’ cottages. What makes it so unique is that it’s completely encrusted in salt and calcium from the spring water. The wheel actually stopped turning decades ago because the buildup got so heavy, but that same calcium has basically turned it into a stone sculpture, preserving it for us to see today!
The kids had a ball rock-hopping around the very rugged landscape.
Good shoes, and some hand holding was definitely needed on the steep bits – thanks dad! It’s a quick, easy stop that adds to your lighthouse visit. You can even grab a lighthouse selfie from a different angle here.
The famous ‘Cape to Cape’ walk trail passes right by the waterwheel and there are public toilets on site.
Be sure to pair this with a visit to the impressive Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Find the Waterwheel at 697 Leeuwin Rd, Leeuwin.
Discover more to see and do in Augusta here.
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, (first as “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life”) Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA for her blog ‘Simply PERTHfect’. You’ll find her checking out the newest foodie spots (brunching, tapas or something a little fancy), as well as fun family activities with the kiddos in tow, so Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
