Busselton is a great place to visit. Locals call Busselton Undalup’ Busso.’ It is the ideal place to spend a relaxing holiday. This is a popular holiday resort with Western Australians as well as interstate and foreign visitors.
Jetstar now flies directly from Melbourne to Busselton, making it easier than ever for you to visit! If you search for flights to Busselton, you will notice that the airport is actually named the Busselton Margaret River Airport, which indicates its proximity to the Margaret River Wine Region.
You don’t have to go far to enjoy the attractions of Busselton. The protected waters of Geographe Bay offer great swimming and water sports.
You’ll enjoy getting oriented by our 21 Things to Do in Busselton, Western Australia, including strolling along the fantastic Busselton Jetty, drinking craft beer during sunset, and participating in a variety of adventure-based activities.
Undalup, the Wadandi name for Busselton, is named after a famous Wadandi warrior called ‘Undal.’ We acknowledge that the people of Wadandi Boodja (Saltwater People’s Country) are the traditional owners in the South West region of Western Australia. They have a strong connection to the land, the water, and the community. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present, and will continue to work to amplify their voices.
Enjoy the beach
Busselton’s Beach and Geographe Bay are major attractions. We almost skipped this one because it is so obvious. Allow yourself enough time to relax on the white sand and enjoy the turquoise water. Make sure to include a SUP on your Busselton bucket list.
Enjoy a stroll at sunset along the Busselton waterfront
Busselton has a great atmosphere in the evening. Families playing on the playgrounds or couples sipping wine and watching the sunset are just a few examples. Under the pines, you can enjoy a picnic and an evening barbecue.
The Busselton Jetty
The Busselton Jetty is one of the top attractions in Busselton. The Busselton Jetty is not only a Western Australian icon, but it also makes Busselton popular.
The Busselton Jetty is listed as the longest timber-piled Jetty in the Southern Hemisphere by some sources. Other places describe it as the longest wooden pier on the planet, measuring about 1.8 km (1841.1 meters) long! It’s very long!
The original Busselton Jetty was built in the year 1865. It was 161 meters long. Sand drift, due to Geographe Bay’s shallowness, made it necessary for the Jetty to be extended further… and further into the bay. The Busselton Jetty has been raised many times over the past 90 years, resulting in its 1.8-kilometer length.
The train trip is great – it’s packed with families, and the 8-metre-deep Underwater Observatory adds to the fun. The Busselton Jetty’s pylons have created the perfect environment for Australia’s most fascinating artificial coral reef. Underside of the Jetty, it is covered with a spectacular array of tropical and subtropical corals. You can see hundreds of marine species.
Busselton Jetty Underwater Walk
The Busselton Jetty Subsea Walk is the perfect way to discover the depths beneath the Busselton Jetty! The first underwater walk in Australia was the very first. This is a completely different experience (and much more enjoyable) than SCUBA!
You can descend into the underwater world by wearing a diving helmet. The 150-year-old Busselton Jetty is the perfect place to do this. The dive helmet does not affect makeup or hair, according to what I’ve read. You can also breathe normally and walk upright during your tour. You don’t even need to have any prior diving experience or be in good physical shape! This is my favorite Busselton activity.
Whale Watching Busselton
Western Australia is fortunate to have Humpback whales and Southern Right Whales migrate along its coast in winter and spring. Whale watching in Western Australia is popular at Augusta, Dunsborough, and Busselton. Naturaliste Charters offers an “extraordinary Busselton whale watching experience” starting at $50 per person from the Busselton Jetty.
From September to November, you can go whale-watching from Busselton.
Forest Adventures Busselton
Forest Adventures Busselton is a high-ropes course that offers plenty of adrenaline to people of all ages. If you enjoy challenges, this should be at the top of your list for Busselton activities.
The Forest Adventures, located in the Ludlow-Tuart Forest (#7 on Things to Do in Busselton), has six courses with varying heights and difficulties. No matter what your age or ability is, you’ll be able to find something for yourself!
The staff is very friendly, helpful, and professional. They’re also safety-conscious but still have a fun side. We were up in the trees after our safety briefing. We climbed, swung, and generally challenged ourselves. Although my knees were a bit numb and my heart pounded, I never felt unsafe. You will be exhausted at the end of this 2-hour activity. !
If birds are your thing, we recommend Forest Adventures with Ludlow Tuart Forest or Wonnerup House, as well as the Vasse Wonnerup wetlands. Why would they not, after you spent two hours flying like birds !!?)
Ludlow Tuart Forest
We literally fell upon the Ludlow-Tuart Forest on our first visit. This is a great alternative route from or to Busselton. We have since taken this route several times, as it is nice to get away from the highway and enjoy the magnificent trees. The Forest Adventures Ropes Course is nearby.
Have a picnic at the Tuart Forest. The trees are estimated to be more than 300 years old. This is also the only natural tall Tuart Forest left in the entire world. The other Tuart forests have been logged (or destroyed by mining). The Ludlow forest has a variety of walking trails. You can enjoy the natural environment and see and hear birds. It is harder to believe that this ecosystem is “one of the rarest on Earth.”
Wonnerup House
Wonnerup House makes a good stop for those visiting the Tuart Forest or who are interested in the life of early settlers of the Busselton region.
The Wonnerup House & Farm has a variety of buildings, such as a blacksmith’s shed, stables, an original house from 1859, and a house built later. These are all great places to visit, especially if you want to get a feel for the lives of early settlers. You can learn about the struggles of the early Europeans at Wonnerup House and Farm, just like many other historical sites. Wonnerup House, run by National Trust volunteers, is not always open.