T I M E - L I N E

 

1622 Dutch ship Leeuwin (Lioness) that first sights the coast.
1772 Gros Ventre takes geographical observations while anchored at Flinders Bay.
1801 Mathew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin visit the area.
1830 First settlers arrive.
1850 After 20 years of struggle the town is abandoned.
1851 An attempt to set up a logging operation using convicts as labour fails.
1863 Only three families remain in the area.
1867  New settlers start coming to the area.
1891 Road Board is established.
1895 Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is constructed and begins operation the following year.
1912 Henry Cassidy Ellis builds the original Augusta Hotel.
1920 Group settlement scheme brings more settlers.
1930 Group settlement mostly fails to deliver and the area is almost abandoned again.
1946 Post World War Two more settlers arrive.
1960 Iron ore deposits were found in the Scott River basin but they prove to be unsuitable.
1974 Molloy Island is opened up as a housing development.
1979 The road to Margaret River is finally sealed
1986 97 of 114 false killer whales are rescued after being stranded near the town.