Best things to do in Busselton in Western Australia

The west coast of Australia is labelled by many people as the most beautiful part of Australia. The beautiful coastline, cosy cities and hospitable people make Western Australia so beloved. Our curiosity was very high. So last December, we flew from Darwin to Perth to explore a bit of Western Australia. After a few days in Perth, a day on Rottnest Island and a day in Fremantle, it was time for us to go on a road trip. Our first destination during this road trip was Busselton. Find out what the coastal town of Busselton has to offer in this blog.

Yalgorup National Park

Anyone who ever goes on a road trip will recognise it: choice stress! And especially when you are in Australia, it is hard to choose, as there are so many beautiful places to visit. Distances are long and beautiful places abound. But experience shows: what can’t be done now will come later. That’s how we think these days. 🙂

The journey towards Busselton was very beautiful. Because of the many hills in the landscape, we had stunning views each time, but we also had many beautiful views along the coast. During our journey, we made several stops. For instance, we had a lunch break in the town of Mandurah and took a short walk at Yalgorup National Park, a beautiful nature reserve full of unusual plants and water birds.

We took a nice walk across the walkways enjoying the view and nature around us. Several migratory and water birds we saw flying by and sitting on the pier.

Yalgorup National Park is known for its elongated lakes, beautiful tuart(white gum) and peppermint forests, and especially for the microscopic organisms that live in Lake Clifton. The area is mainly known for thrombolites, clumped (fouling) structures formed in shallow water by micro-organisms. A very special sight, as they look just like all big boulders lying on the bottom of the lake.

Busselton Jetty

When you say Busselton, you also say Busselton Jetty. This beautiful pier is Busselton’s calling card and is the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. Even from a distance, you can see this 1.841km-long pier sparkling in the sun. As the Perth International Jazz Festival is taking place this afternoon, we can also enjoy live music, which can be heard far out on the water. 🙂 

There are 2 ways to visit the Busselton Jetty. Like us, you can buy a $4.00 day pass and explore the pier on foot. It’s a nice 1.841km walk that gives you stunning views of the sea and the coast of Busselton. It is also possible to board a little train, which takes you to the back of the pier and back again. A train ticket costs $15 per person.

A walk along the jetty gives you the feeling of freedom. The sea breeze in your hair, fishermen in various spots trying to hook a big fish and lots of tourists and locals enjoying the sunshine. And occasionally you have to pull over because the little train wants to pass.

It is also possible to visit the Underwater Observatory and Marine Conservation at the end of the pier where you descend 8 metres to the ocean floor via a spiral staircase and can enjoy marine life. Cost for this is $35 for adults $20 dollars for children. Read more about this attraction.

History

Construction of the jetty began in 1864 and the first section was opened in 1865. The jetty was extended repeatedly until the 1960s, eventually reaching a length of 1,841 meters (6,040 ft). The last commercial ship called at the jetty in 1971 and the jetty was closed the following year.

The jetty later came into the hands of Busselton Shire who gradually restored and improved it. In 1978, the jetty survived Cyclone Alby, but it also survived several fires and threats to demolish it. Today, it is one of the region’s main tourist attractions.

Beautiful beaches

For us, Busselton was really a day visit, as we only stayed there for 1 night. Those who spend longer in Busselton can enjoy the beautiful beaches. Many people take a refreshing dip or enjoy the sunshine along the coast. It is a beautiful coastal town where you can have a very nice time if you like sun, sea and beach.

Shelter Brewing Co.

Another attraction you absolutely cannot miss in Busselton is the brewery Shelter Brewing Co. An imposing building which also stands out thanks to the large letters on the side. A magnificent brewery in a top location! Read more about Wineries & Breweries in Busselton

When we decide to do a beer tasting here, we are quickly taken in by the fine atmosphere. Big long tables with families, groups of friends and couples fill this huge space with conviviality. Given the Jazz festival taking place this day, the place was also busier than usual. Luckily, we were able to find a spot to enjoy our beer tasting followed by a bite to eat.

We tried 4 different beers: a lager, pale ale, Indian pale ale, and a red Ale. By the way, the food at Shelter Brewing Co. is also highly recommended. We had a delicious meal there!

About Busselton

Busselton is a nice place to visit. Its small scale, vibe and beautiful beaches make Busselton a great place to visit in Western Australia. It is the ideal stop if, like us, you are taking a road trip from Perth towards Albany. Busselton combines well with Margaret River, a visit to one of the caves and a visit to the many nature parks nearby.

Sights in and around Busselton

In and around Busselton, the following attractions are also fun to visit:

• The Busselton Museum: local history in a former butter factory.
• Tuart Forest National Park: a national park in the south-west of Western Australia, 183 kilometres south of Perth. It contains the largest remaining area of pure Tuart forest in the world.

Visiting Busselton?

Is Busselton on your list now, too? Visit Busselton on your own road trip through Western Australia. Check out the best places to sleep here and see how to rent a car cheaply here. Did you know that it is also possible to visit Busselton from Perth with a day tour? Check out the possibilities here.