The 14 best things to do in Busselton

There’s a lot more to Busselton Jetty than meets the eye – and considering it’s the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll struggle to take it all in at once. Built in 1865, the heritage-listed jetty extends 1.8 kilometres over the protected waters of Geographe Bay. You can take a 45-minute scenic round-trip ride aboard the solar-powered Busselton Jetty Train, dive into the secrets of the sea at the Marine Discovery Centre, and discover 300 different marine species in the Busselton Underwater Observatory – one of only six underwater observatories in the entire world. Those keen to get up close can even dive and snorkel with marine life in Busselton Jetty's Underwater Snorkel Park.

Busselton has brews to rival its stellar views, so be sure to carve out an entire afternoon to sample them all. Just a stone’s throw from Busselton Jetty, Shelter Brewing Co is the region’s newest craft brewery to hang loose with a cold one. You can wash away the salt of the day with a pint, bursting with tropical, caramel, citrus or fizzy notes. Can’t decide? Sample a foursome with a beer paddle and pair it with a wood-fired pizza or a bucket of Aussie muscles. A five-minute stroll from Shelter will take you to Rocky Ridge, Australia’s first Certified Sustainable Brewery. Their Busselton microbrewery features almost 40 tap beers and ciders, with everything from easy drinking and juicy to sour, dark and extra strong. You can sip and sway on the lawns with live tunes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and enjoy burgers and tacos from Bobby’s next door. 

Housed in a beautifully restored collective of 18th-century, heritage-listed buildings, Busselton Cultural Precinct is your go-to destination for uncovering the region’s rich history. You can wander through the cold, dark cells of the Courthouse and Old Gaol, admire local art in the restored Police Cottage, grab a cuppa in the old Post Office, and watch artists at work in the Stables Studios. Visitors can also look forward to Saltwater, a brand-new art gallery, performing arts and convention venue set to open in the precinct in 2025. 

How’s this for convenience? Right in the heart of the city, Origins Market brings together more than 60 of Western Australia’s finest farmers, producers, winemakers and artisans all under one roof. Hungry? Fuel up with Korean hot dogs, crispy pork belly banh mi, wood-fired pizza or a scoop of handmade gelato. Thirsty? Obison Coffee Roasters has your morning cuppa sorted, while Homestead Bar is ready with local brews and wines from 10am. Got time to spare? Chat with local makers showcasing their crafts at the artisan market, pick up fresh produce and check out what workshops are happening during your visit.

Slap on some sunscreen and saddle up for a casual ride along the mostly flat 25-kilometre Geographe Path. This shared bike and walking trail linking Busselton to Dunsborough offers spectacular coastal views of the sparkling Geographe Bay. You can ride for as little or as long as you wish, finishing up with a refreshing swim or long lunch in town. 

No coastal getaway is complete without a dip in the inviting, turquoise waters of Geographe Bay. Right next to the two-kilometre-long Jetty, Busselton Foreshore boasts the longest continuous sandy section of shore. Here, you can splash in the shallow waters, dive bomb off the swim jetty (just west of the main Busselton Jetty), spot dolphins cruising up and down the bay, and watch the sunset over the shimmering coastline.

You’ll find plenty of good eggs roaming the streets of Busselton, especially at this wholesome, family-owned café on Albert Street. The Good Egg is a love letter to owner Deb Hallyburton’s late husband, who sadly passed away from brain cancer in 2016. Embracing the philosophy of ‘food as medicine,’ the café offers a nourishing and versatile menu that caters to all dietary needs. Classics like eggs florentine and French toast are best served with a silky smooth cup of Micrology coffee. For something heartier, dig into nasi goreng or patatas bravas, and consider adding a Freak Shake for an extra sugar hit. The Good Egg is more than just a café – it also offers a dedicated kids’ play area, a boutique retail nook and an upstairs office hub. Plus, Deb generously donates five per cent of all profits to cancer research.

Despite being one of the world’s youngest and most geographically isolated wine regions, Margaret River has built quite a reputation for its cabernet sauvignons and chardonnays. You’ll want to dedicate a whole day to journeying through the 90-plus cellar doors, which range from farm-style set-ups with casual cheeseboards to castle-like estates offering degustation lunches. We’d suggest starting at Leeuwin Estate, one of the region’s five founding wineries, to sample their flagship Art Series chardonnay. Next, head ten minutes down the road to Xanadu Wines for a taste of their exclusive cellar door offerings. Finish your wine tour at Voyager Estate, where you can explore their sustainable vineyard or enjoy a five-course seasonal tasting experience.

The jewel in the crown of Busselton’s drinking and dining scene is none other than Busselton Pavilion. Chill out with a cocktail or two at The Pav, a laid-back 500-pax gastropub specialising in rotisserie chicken and South West seafood. Alternatively, wind down with local wine and cheese at South West Wine Shop, the precinct’s boutique bar and wine store. Prefer a G&T? Stay tuned for Busselton Pavilion’s upcoming distillery, which is set to open in the same space soon.

Over the past decade, the streets of Busselton have burst to life with vibrant murals and public art created by local and international artists. Look around and you might just see a pastel parade of surfboards, a life-size painting of a blue whale, and a colourful mosaic of the Busselton community. You can map out your urban art adventure using the council’s handy guide.

For both novice and seasoned hikers, the Cape to Cape is a spectacular walking odyssey that is bound to (at some point) take your breath away. The week-long, 123-kilometre walk stretches from Cape Naturaliste, located a 40-minute drive from Busselton, to Cape Leeuwin, with the option to hike small segments in a day-walk kinda way. If you opt for the full adventure, you can do it self-guided, or with a guided company, like Walk Into Luxury. You'll hike in tune with nature on this intimate and stunning walk on the rugged Western Australian coastline. Expect wild cliffs, remote beaches and sheltered woodlands, all in one.

Busselton is one of the only places in Australia where you can spot both humpback whales and southern right whales swimming in the same season, all within the stunning waters of Geographe Bay. The epic southern humpback migration peaks from late September to early November, giving you the chance to witness these gentle giants breaching and tail-slapping up close. Southern right, minke and even blue whales occasionally pass through the area, with the latter measuring up to a whopping 31 metres long. With a little patience and luck, you can spot whales from the jetty or foreshore. However, for the best chance of sightings, hop on a whale-watching tour. You'll find multiple tour companies that depart daily from Port Geographe Marine.

Sitting on prime real estate along Busselton Foreshore, The Goose Beach Bar and Kitchen is your go-to spot for dining with uninterrupted views of Geographe Bay. This local faithful reopened in July 2023, after a devastating fire in April 2021. Back and better than ever, The Goose offers all-day dining, with a focus on fresh Australian seafood and wood-fired cooking. You can wake up with smashed avo and a tropical smoothie, or unwind at sunset with wood-roast prawns, Portuguese-style chicken and seafood chowder. Grab a cheeky Espresso Martini or Passionfruit Mojito while you’re at it.

Saddle up your junior Tarzans and swing on over to Forest Adventures, where jumping off trees is (responsibly) encouraged. Just a 20-minute drive from Busselton, this thrilling high ropes and zipline park sprawls across eight acres of Ludlow Tuart Forest. Kids big and small can soar through the treetops, tackling courses from three to 20 metres tall. With more than 500 metres of flying foxes, Tarzan ropes, a 13-metre base jump, BMX on a wire and giant spider webs, this is sure to get your heart racing.