Last Updated on 8 November 2024 by Ariana Svenson
We are delighted to share with you the best things to do in Busselton. Known as ‘Busso’ (to locals like us) Busselton – Undalup is the perfect place for a holiday by the sea. It is a very popular holiday resort town with both Western Australians, interstate and international visitors.
In fact, with Jetstar flying direct from Melbourne, Busselton is easier to visit that ever! In fact, if you are looking for flights to Busselton, you’ll notice that it’s actually called the Busselton Margaret River airport, which reveals its location right next door to the famous Margaret River Wine Region.
Let not get away from the Busselton attractions – with the protected waters of Geographe Bay offering great swimming, and water sports, you don’t need to venture far if you don’t want to.
Highlights include strolling along the fabulous Busselton jetty, to drinking craft beer at sunset and a host of adventure based activities, you’ll have fun getting yourself oriented with our 21 things to do in Busselton Western Australia!
Undalup is the Wadandi word for Busselton named after a great Wadandi Warrior, ‘Undal’. The people of Wadandi Boodja (Saltwater People’s Country) are the traditional owners of the South West of Western Australia, and we recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present and continue a commitment to the amplification of their voices.
Contents ShowDisclosure: Through my site there are links to affiliates, which means that I might receive commission if you buy something after clicking them. This costs you no more, and you definitely don’t pay extra. However, I do get a small amount which contributes to the upkeep of this blog. Thanks so much for all of your support – and we hope you have a ball in Western Australia!
By the way, have you had a chance to look into our family weekend getaways in Perth? Feel free to dive into our blog post for even more inspiration and start planning your next adventure!
22 Awesome Things to do in Busselton
1. Enjoy the beach
This one seems so obvious we almost didn’t list it, but the Busselton beach and gorgeous Geographe Bay is a major attraction in Busselton. Make sure you allow enough time to laze on the white sand, and float about in the turquoise waters. If you have a SUP, make sure you put it on your Busselton to do list!
2. Take a sunset stroll along the Busselton foreshore
There is an amazing vibe in Busselton in the evening, families having fun on the playgrounds, or couples enjoying wine while watching the amazing sunset. The area under the pines is a lovely place for a picnic or evening BBQ.
3. The Busselton Jetty
Top of the Busselton attractions is the Busselton Jetty. It not only makes Busselton famous but also is a Western Australian icon!
Some places list the Busselton Jetty as the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. In other places, it’s described as the longest wooden pier in the world at about 1.8 km (1841 meters) in length! In short, it’s very loooooooooooong!
The original Busselton jetty was built in 1865 and was 161 meters long. As Geographe Bay is quite shallow, sand-drift made it necessary to extend the jetty further… and further out into the bay. Over 90 years many extensions were made to the Busselton Jetty taking it to its remarkable 1.8-kilometer length.
There are several main things to do at the Busselton jetty
- Walk all the way out of the jetty and back again! You will really get an appreciation of its length. (Or you can do like we have done and admired its length from the beach)
- Take the Busselton train to the end, and then visit the Underwater Observatory.
The train is fun – packed full of families and the 8 metres deep Underwater Observatory is a great addition to the trip. The pylons of the Busselton Jetty have provided the environment for Australia’s most fascinating artificial reef to grow. The underside of the jetty is covered in a stunning array of sponges, tropical and sub-tropical corals. There are hundreds of marine species to see.
4. Busselton Jetty Underwater Walk
If you are looking to explore the depths under the Busselton Jetty you should think about the Busselton Jetty Undersea Walk! This underwater walk was the first of its kind in Australia. It is completely different (and much easier) than SCUBA diving!
Place a dive helmet on your head, and you can then descend down into the marine world beneath the 150-year-old Busselton Jetty. I read that the dive helmet doesn’t affect your makeup or hair. Also, you can breathe normally throughout your tour, and also can walk upright. Best of all, you don’t need any previous diving experience or to be physically fit! I think this is one of the top Busselton things to do.
5. Whale Watching Busselton
Western Australia is blessed to have the Humpback and Southern Right whales migrate up along their coast during winter and spring. Popular ports for Western Australian whale watching are Augusta and Dunsborough, but you can also go Whale watching Busselton. Naturaliste Charters operate an “extraordinary Busselton Whale Watching Experience” from the Busselton Jetty itself, starting from $50 per person.
Check the season, but in general, it is possible to go whale watching from Busselton from September through November
Forest Adventures Busselton
Things to do around Busselton
6. Forest Adventures Busselton
Forest Adventures Busselton offers a high ropes course in the forest, with plenty of adrenaline for people of all ages. This should be on your list of Busselton things to do, especially if you like being challenged.
The Forest Adventures is located in the Ludlow Tuart Forest (#7 of Things to do in Busselton) and has 6 courses of different heights and difficulty – no matter your age or ability you should be able to find something that suits you!
The staff are excellent, safety conscious but yet fun and a bit edgy! After our safety briefing we were up amongst the trees, swinging, climbing and generally challenging ourselves. While there were some moments my knees went to jelly and my heart was pounding, I didn’t feel unsafe. The whole activity takes 2 hours and at the end you will be exhausted!!!
WE would recommend a visit to the Forest Adventures with the Ludlow Tuart Forest, Wonnerup House or the Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands, if birds are your thing. (And why would they not when you have just spent a couple hours flying like a bird!!?)
7. Ludlow Tuart Forest
The first time we visited the Ludlow Tuart Forest we quite literally stumbled upon it. It’s an easy alternative route to or from Busselton. Since then, we have taken the route a few times as it’s nice to get off the highway and see the truly magnificent trees. It is located close to the Forest Adventures Ropes Course.
Stop and have a picnic in the Tuart Forest. The trees are huge and estimated to be over 300 years old. Also, this is sadly the last remaining natural tall Tuart Forest in the world. The rest of the Tuart forests were logged at one time (or lost to mining). There are a number of walk trails in the Ludlow Forest. If nothing else you can see and hear the birds and enjoy this natural environment. Harder to see is the knowledge that this is one of the “rarest ecosystems on earth”.
8. Wonnerup House
Wonnerup House is a great place for a stop if you are visiting the Tuart Forest or are just interested in getting an idea of the life of the early settlers to the Busselton area.
There are a number of buildings at Wonnerup House and farm, including a blacksmith’s shed stables, the original house dating from 1859, and a later house which are great to visit and get a sense of the life led by the early settlers. As with many historical places, you learn about the struggles and tragedies of the first Europeans here. Wonnerup House is run by the National Trust volunteers and not always open.
9. Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands
If you enjoy a little bird spotting, then you will love a visit to the Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands, recognised as one of the most important waterbird habitats in Western Australia. Over 30,000 water birds live ij these wetlands, including Western Australia’s largest regular breeding colony of Black Swan. So important is this habitat that in 1990, the Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands were declared a “Wetland of International Importance” under the Ramsar Convention. In spring there are many beautiful wildflowers and great walking trails. This area is of much importance to the Wadandi (Saltwater) people as it provided a rich source of food.
10. Koomal Dreaming Cape Cultural tour
While in Busselton we would strongly encourage you to learn more about the area’s traditional owners. Take a tour with Koomal Dreaming Cape Cultural Tours, and learn about the Boodja (country) of the Wadandi people through their eyes and learn about the Noongar seasons and their connection and stories about the rivers, the seas, the animals, fish and plants. They offer a range of tours, including a fishing tour where you will be guided by a Wadandi Cultural Custodian in the Meelup Regional Park. More information Cape Cultural Tours
For more information about the range of projects happening in Wadandi Boodja, take a look at the Undalup Association which believes that, “the shared ownership of our events and projects will lead to a more reconciled and respectful future giving us all a sense of belonging and drawing everyone into the culture, spirit and history of the area”
11. Nocturnal Animal tour near Busselton
Having spent much of my life in Western Australia, I was surprised that woylies are known as kung-Fu roo” by the tour guides at this completely natural nocturnal wildlife tour in a private conservation sanctuary. To be scientific, the woylie or brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata) is not commonly seen. The name woylie comes from the Noongar language, though there are a number of variations. Apparently the European settlers of the Swan River colony called them, “kangaroo rats”/.
In short, you take a short walk to the viewing area where you will get to learn more about the woylie (while sipping billy tea.) Then the colony starts to get active and you will see these tiny hopping marsupials in action. Part of the proceeds from your tour contributes to the important work at the conservation sanctuary.
12. ArtGeo Cultural Complex
Another “must do” Busselton stop is a visit to the ArtGeo Cultural Complex. The lovingly restored heritage-listed buildings of the Old Courthouse and ArtGeo Gallery will give you plenty First; we could actually list this as three separate things on our awesome list of things to do in Busselton as there are several venues.
If we look at the historical first, the Old Courthouse, Police Station and Cells are a destination in their own right, providing an eye opening glimpse into the harsh colonial rule of that era.
Across the road, at the Art-Geo Gallery are exhibitions that are excellent. Immediately nearby, the Busselton Art Society Gallery features the work of many local artists.
13. St Mary’s Church
Visit St Mary’s Busselton, one of the oldest churches in Western Australia, built in the 1840s by early settlers. It’s constructed of limestone and jarrah with sheoak shingles for the roof and is still used as a place of worship today. The church was consecrated in 1848, which means that it is not as old as the All Saints Church in Henley Brook which also claims the oldest church in Western Australia, with the first service taking place on 10 January 1841.
14. Discover some amazing food
While it doesn’t have the gourmet reputation of nearby Margaret River, in all honestly there are some really great restaurants in Busselton. In fact, we were summarizing places to eat in Busselton for this post when we discovered that we had written so much useful information we needed to a page completely dedicated to the best restaurants in Busselton. Check out our post The Best Restaurants In Busselton.
To get yourself started, we recommend checking out Equinox Busselton ) and the Good Egg (raved about by all)
15. Enjoy a brew at a Craft Brewery
When I wrote the first version of “Things to do Busselton” several years ago there was no Busselton Brewery at all! True! In fact, even on revisions of this list of busselton attractions… still no brewery! 2020 changed that and now there you can visit two breweries in Busselton – the Shelter Brewing Co. by the Busselton Jetty and the Rocky Ridge Brewing Co.
and you might be wondering… is there a Busselton Winery?
Technically, there is no winery or cellar door in Busselton, though you can do some wine tasting and either the Rocky Ridge Brewing Co or the Fire Station Bar. The closest winery to Busselton is Flametree Wines, which has a cellar door halfway between Busselton and Dunsborough. It’s definitely worth a stop with gorgeous grounds and well accoladed wines, especially its chardonnay. For all the details on breweries and wineries in Busselton, read our Visit A Busselton Winery And The Best Busselton Breweries!.
Where to Stay in Busselton – The Best Busselton Accommodation
Busselton has a lot of places to stay, and as it’s one of our fave places in the South West, we have been lucky to try out a lot personally –take a look at our reviews of the Abbey Beach Resort, the Broadwater Beach Resort as well as Busselton Caravan Parks. Both the Abeey Beach Resort or Broadwater Beach would certainly provide a quiet couples getaway if that is what you are looking for.
Busselton really has an amazing range of places to stay whether you are on a couples getaway or just looking to relax for a few days.
If you are looking for a very special splurge, you might want to take a look at the from the high-end resorts like the Aqua Resort Busselton The Aqua Resort offers understated, yet luxurious beachfront accommodation right on Geographe Bay. All apartments feature a private balcony or patio.
The Sebel Busselton is another popular option, with a choice between a studio apartment and two and three-bedroom apartments.
Check prices and availability on Booking.com
Check prices and availability on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability on Expedia.com
Pet-friendly accommodation Busselton
Pet-friendly accommodation Busselton is currently covered in two posts – A Guide To Busselton Caravan Parks and also our Dog & Pet Friendly Accommodation In Margaret River.
How To Get From Perth To Busselton
It’s very easy to travel from Perth to Busselton by car. It is an easy 2.5-hour drive on freeways or 222km.
Busselton is 40 minutes from the major regional center of Bunbury and 24 minutes from Dunsborough, which is another holiday town on the edge of Geographe Bay.
Busselton marks the top end of the Margaret River wine region, and if you are looking on accommodation booking engines, you will often find that Busselton resorts are actually listed when you search Margaret River (true, try it yourself!).
Margaret River town itself is another 40 minutes south of Busselton. Between the two towns is the heart of the wine region. You can experience many wineries and attractions.
Best Time of the Year to Visit Busselton
We think that Busselton is great year-round – there is really no one season that is better than the other.
Let’s start at the beginning of the year – December, January, and February are the hottest months of the year in Busselton and also the busiest with holiday-makers from Perth enjoying this resort town. Your days on the beach will be long and hot, and there are long balmy evenings when you can enjoy barbeques or the beautiful grounds of the many wineries and breweries of the region! Still, it is also the busiest time of the year and there might be waits at many of the Busselton activities listed here.
March and April are excellent months to visit Busselton. The days are cooler and shorter, but swimming is still likely to be pleasant in Geographe Bay (but not 100% guaranteed). We had a wonderful weekend getaway in late April and the weather was spectacular and we had never seen Busselton look so gorgeous. Keep in mind that Easter usually falls in April and it is always spectacularly busy in the whole Margaret River region during Easter, so definitely anticipate waits at popular Busselton attractions.
May and June are the end of autumn, with short cool days – but the weather can be crisp and delightful. Think beautiful beach walks, warm fires, and still some leaves on the vines. Definitely a decent option, as long as it’s not stormy.
July and August are the heart of winter and can be characterized by winter fronts hitting the southwest bringing storms and rain for a couple of days at a time. Sometimes you will need to be inside for a whole day – but there are enough activities in Busselton when it is raining to keep you occupied. Usually, winter fronts pass and there will be rain showers on either side. We’ve visited a number of times during this season and as long as you dress appropriately and dodge the rain, it’s still a truly spectacular time of year to visit. The major plus is sipping wine by a log fire if you are lucky to find one!
September through November is springtime in the Busselton area, the weather begins to become warmer – and the wildflowers of the region begin to bloom. There is still some rainy weather and cool days but on the whole, it’s a lovely time to visit Busselton. Keep in mind that in our opinion this is the best time to tackle the Cape to Cape Track, or visit Quinninup Falls. Both starting nearby Busselton.
And if you are looking for new places to discover, read our blog post on things to do in Denmark – there is so much more to explore in Western Australia!
The Verdict – Best Things to do in Busselton
We hope you have found our summary of the Busselton tourist attractions useful. Whether you are going to use Busselton as a base to explore further into the Margaret River region, or stay close to the main town, you will have plenty to do. With the world-class wineries and breweries of the Margaret River region now expanding their range into the Busselton area, there is some really great dining nearby and a few brews too! We hope we’ve helped you decide what to do in Busselton on your next getaway!
We realize that things change all the time, and so it’s really important to us that we provide the most up to date information possible! That’s why we go through our pages annually making sure they are as current as possible. As always, if you notice something that’s not quite right, please let us know in the comments!
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