Your Busselton To-Do List
Before you head to Busselton, have a scroll through this.
Sitting on the shores of Geographe Bay, Busselton is one of the South West’s most popular spots for a coastal escape with lots to see and do. We’ve pulled together the best of what Busselton has to offer, covering the obvious stuff as well as a few places you might not have thought of.
That Very Long Jetty
Image: MRBTA
Speaking of the obvious, let’s start with Busselton’s most famous attraction. Stretching 1.841 kilometres over the protected waters of Geographe Bay, the heritage-listed Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. If you’re flying into the region, you might even spot it from the plane window on the way in.
Once you’re on the ground, there are a few ways to tackle it. Walk the full length if you’re keen to get the steps in or let the solar-powered jetty train do the walking for you. At the end, you can opt to head 8 metres below the surface to the Underwater Observatory, where huge viewing windows give you a fish-eye view of what’s happening beneath the jetty. You can get even closer to the action with a dive through the underwater sculpture park, home to 13 sculptures by Western Australian artists, including a 3.2 metre long bronze mermaid and a 2.5 tonne Southern Right Whale.
Hang Out at the Busselton Foreshore
Image: Russell Ord Photography / MRBTA
If you’ve made it to the jetty, then you’ve already found the foreshore. The beach sits right at the end of the jetty, with calm water that’s good for a swim and a bit of maxo relaxo time. There are playgrounds and a skatepark for the little rascals to burn off some energy, and you're spoiled for choice when it comes to cafes, pubs and restaurants nearby.
Get Amongst the Food & Drink Scene
Image: Cheeky Monkey Vasse Taphouse
There’s no shortage of good places to eat and drink around here. A short 15-minute drive from town is Cheeky Monkey Vasse Taphouse, where you’ll find an ever-changing lineup of beers on tap, right inside the working brewery that makes them. Tonic by the Bay serves up food and drink in a leafy waterside setting, The Fire Station brings a bit of heritage to the bar scene, The Goose has the prime position down by the jetty, and The Market Bar is a good shout when everyone wants something different. If you want to really dive in, see our guide on where to grab a drink in Busselton & Vasse.
Meet the Local Wildlife
Image: Discover Deadly
Busselton’s got a few wild residents worth keeping an eye out for, both in the water and on dry land. Out in Geographe Bay, humpback and southern right whales pass through during migration season, with September and October usually the peak time to spot them. Keep watch from the coast or jump on a whale-watching cruise for a much closer look.
If you take the option to snorkel off Busselton Jetty, you’ll quickly discover that there’s lots going on beneath the surface, with more than 300 species of marine life calling the waters around the jetty home. Dolphins also hang pretty close to shore, so keep an eye on the water whenever you head to the beach.
Then there’s Discover Deadly, a family-friendly reptile centre where you can meet some cool critters, including dragons, snakes, skinks, birds, turtles and spiders.
Get Amongst the Action
Image: Forest Adventures
Busselton isn’t all beaches and leisurely strolls. There are heaps of ways to get the heart rate up if you look for them. You can live out your Robin Hood fantasy at Primal Archery, with three outdoor archery courses to choose from. The Hunting Grounds is a good one for groups, with longer distances to test your aim for and some unconventional targets, like a huge dinosaur and 3D animals.
Forest Adventures will get you off the ground, with high ropes courses and flying foxes strung through the tuart trees. Not enough height for you? Alright, tough guy. Take to the skies on a helicopter or small-plane scenic flight for a cruisy look at the coast from above. But to really turn the dial up, you can opt for an open-cockpit vintage Tiger Moth flight over Busselton and the coastline beyond. That’s a pretty nuts way to see the place. Back on solid ground, Busselton’s skate park is a good spot to watch the locals and kids throw themselves around on wheels or have a crack yourself.
See What’s Behind Busselton
Image: Saltwater Busselton
You’ve had your fun, got some R&R in, so now it’s time to bring some history and culture into the mix. Busselton’s been around for a while, and there’s a fair bit of history tucked away behind the beaches and holiday houses. The Cultural Precinct is a good place to start, bringing together Saltwater Busselton and the Old Courthouse Complex, with exhibitions, events and theatre performances throughout the year. The Old Courthouse itself is one of Busselton’s oldest and most significant heritage sites, with exhibitions digging into the people and stories that shaped the town.
The Busselton Heritage Trail takes you past some pretty interesting remnants of old Busselton, like the first steam locomotive used in Western Australia, the state’s oldest stone church, and Pioneer Cemetery, where many of the region’s early settlers are buried.
What’s Next?
There’s plenty more of the South West waiting down the road. Margaret River, Dunsborough and Yallingup are all within easy reach, so you can keep exploring without having to go too far.
When you’re ready to see what else is around, head to our complete guide to the Margaret River Region.
