12 Things To Do In Busselton (From Locals) + FREE Map
As Perth locals, Busselton (Busso) has been a go-to for YEARS.
Most people know it for the jetty (iconic), but there’s actually heaps to do here once you slow down a bit!
It has epic snorkelling, a great family-friendly vibe, and some seriously good food. Plus, Margaret River is sitting right there if you want wineries, caves, surf, or an easy day trip.
It’s also way easier to visit now, with direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney! So you don’t even need to start from Perth anymore, which is pretty wild.
So, this is our full guide to Busselton after dozens of trips. We’ll share our favourite things to do, places to stay, places to eat, and a free map to help you see where everything is!
Busselton, Southwest Coas
12 things to do in Busselton (by locals)
1) Snorkel the Busselton Jetty
One of Australia’s largest artificial reefs lies under the iconic Jetty.
We neverrr get tired of snorkelling there! There’s heaps of marine life thriving under the pylons, and they added an underwater sculpture park a couple of years ago.
We went snorkelling from our boat and many people do the same.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a boat, though. There are access ladders, plus the platform at the end has a flat walk down, so you don’t have to jump off if you don’t want to.
A few things to know before snorkelling it:
- The deepest part is ~10 mts, so be mindful if you’re not a confident swimmer.
- If you’ve got long fins, you can’t take the train out there, so you’ll have to walk out with all your gear.
- Try taking a wetsuit cause it gets chilly.
If you’re keen, we share more tips and advice in our guide on snorkelling the Busselton Jetty!
Another option is booking a guided tour. These include the gear, plus you’ll be with guides who can take you to the best spots (which you can revisit later on your own).
2) Walk the jetty or take the train
At 1.8km, the Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere! Walking it is a must, but there’s also a train that can take you back and forth.
If you walk, allow around 30 minutes each way, plus extra time for photos or checking out the water near the end.
The train does the return trip in about 45 minutes and runs out along the jetty with commentary, so it’s a good pick for kids.
A few things to know about accessing the jetty:
- Entry fee to the jetty is $5 at the time of writing (kids are free)
- Train fee is $18 for adults and $12 for kids last time we checked
- The train leaves every hour but has limited seats, so book ahead if you want a specific time slot (book here)
- The jetty is pram-friendly if you’re walking, but prams aren’t allowed on the train
3) Visit the underwater observatory
The Underwater Observatory is at the end of the jetty, and it’s the easiest way to see all the marine life without getting wet!
The descent into the observatory involves walking down a spiral staircase, but there’s a lift for wheelchair users. It’s not a pram-friendly activity, though.
There’s also a limited number of visitors per tour, so make sure to book in advance if you’re keen.
The ticket to the observatory includes:
- Guided tour in the observatory
- Return train ride
- Jetty Day pass
It’s great value for money if you have kids and you’re planning to ride the train anyway. Book it here!
4) Unwind at the Busselton Foreshore
This wide, sandy beach is home to the iconic Busselton Jetty, plus a swimming enclosure so kids can swim safely!
There’s HEAPS of free parking. It fills fast on summer weekends though, so get there early if you’re visiting in peak season.
There are also playgrounds, BBQ areas, a skate park and a string of cafés and restaurants along the esplanade, so you can easily spend the whole day here.
And in summer, there are even markets and live music! Here’s the events calendar if you’re keen.
5) Go whale-watching
From September to November, you can see humpback whales, southern right whales, and even blue whales in the area!
The Jetty is a prime spot for whale-watching, but we recommend booking a whale-watching tour like this one so an expert can take you to the best areas to see them!
Make sure to wear layers as it can get chilly on the water, even in spring!
Book your whale-watching tour at the beginning of your trip. This gives you wiggle room if they have to reschedule due to the weather.
6) Go boating
Busselton also has epic fishing!
The waters near the jetty are great for fishing herring, whiting, tailor, and squid. We’re told offshore waters are great for snapper, dhufish, and even samson fish.
If the jetty is too packed for fishing or you don’t want to fish there, here are a few great boat ramps nearby:
- Abbey Boat Ramp, it’s the one we always use! Free to use, no permits needed. Plus it’s the closest ramp to RAC Busselton Holiday Park.
- Quindalup Boat Ramp, closer to Dunsborough than Busselton, it’s a 25-minute drive.
- Port Geographe Boat Ramp, the closest one to the town centre, a 10-minute drive east.
7) Dive the HMAS Swan Wreck
The HMAS Swan is a decommissioned naval destroyer that was intentionally sunk near Dunsborough to create an artificial reef.
The wreck lies at a depth that ranges from 6 to 32 metres, so you need an Open Water certification to do it.
We haven’t done it yet, but it’s on our bucket list! We’d go with an operator who knows the site well, like this one.
If you don’t have a scuba cert but you still want to see a sunken ship, check out this replica of the SS Pericles! It’s one of the underwater sculptures in the jetty:
8) Try the local brews
Busso has some epic breweries and bars, but our favourite is Shelter Brewing (near the jetty). The beers are great and the food is excellent!
But even if you’re not drinking, we 100% recommend grabbing a meal and hanging around, especially after a dive.
Rocky Ridge is another good brewery to check out. They had $1 wing specials last time we went, so definitely look out for that!
And if you want something a bit different, head to The Fire Station. It’s inside an old 1936 fire station, which makes it way more interesting than your average bar.
9) Go wine-tasting
The Margaret River region is right there, so Busso is the perfect base for a wine day!
There are heaps of tour operators that do pick up and drop off from Busselton, like this one. So you can check out the best wineries in the region without having to be the designated driver.
If you want to DIY it, these are the ones we’d start with:
- Flametree Wines: Great for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s also between Busso and Dunsborough, so it’s an easy first stop.
- Aravina Estate: Go for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc or sparkling. It’s also a good one if you want lunch with your tasting.
- Windows Estate: More boutique and low-key. Go for Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc or Fumé Blanc.
Just check opening hours and book ahead if you’re visiting on a weekend!
Keep reading: The best wine tours in Margaret River
10) Zipline in Forest Adventures Park
This adventure park is nestled in the Ludlow Tuart Forest National Park, a short drive from Busso. If you’re after a change of pace, this is it!
It has fun activities for the entire family, including:
High ropes courses
Flying foxes
Climbs
Zip lines
Closed-toed shoes are a must (no flip-flops or Crocs allowed). The access road is gravel, but 2WD will be fine.
The entry ticket includes 2.5 hours in the park, book online to lock in your slot!
11) Go to Dunsborough by bike
Also known as the Geographe Path, this is a network of bike trails connecting Busso to Duns! It’s about 24km (one way).
The journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your pace. Some stretches don’t have much shade or places to refill your water, so make sure to bring sun protection and water.
The trail is pretty flat and well-maintained, so you can focus on soaking in the scenic views of the coastline!
12) Use it as a base for Margaret River
Busselton is an excellent base if you want to explore the Margaret River region but want to stay in one place during your visit!
It’s a big and well-priced town to base yourself in for a couple of nights. Here are some cool places nearby to check out:
- Dunsborough, Busso’s neighbour. Don’t skip Eagle Bay, Meelup Beach, and Cape Naturaliste lighthouse!
- Yallingup, we love it! It’s a bit more rugged than Busso. Yallingup Beach has epic surfing, the Aquarium has incredible snorkelling, and the iconic Injidup Natural Spa is there, too.
- Margaret River, the heart of the region. Wine, food, chocolate, forest, surf, caves, all in one place!
- Augusta, where the Indian and the Southern Oceans meet. Lovely town with great beaches, don’t miss the views from Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse!
Keen on exploring the southwest? Here’s our recommended itinerary to help you plan it!
How to get to Busso
You can get there by car, plane, or coach.
Most people drive there from Perth, as you can be there in under 3 hours. It’s a quick drive by WA standards LOL, and you can easily rent a car in Perth.
Another option is flying. The Busselton-Margaret River Airport has direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney, and it’s a 10-min drive from town!
We recommend using Trip.com to book your flights. They are the best at finding the cheapest deals available, sometimes even cheaper than booking directly from the airline!
You can also get there by coach from Perth.
Take the TransWa route SW1, the bus will drop you off at Albert Street. The ride takes ~5 hours and the round ticket costs $85-100.
Where to stay?
We’ve been to Busso several times, so we’ve tried everything from caravan parks to luxury stays!
These are the ones we recommend:
- For caravan parks, you can’t go wrong with BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks or with RAC Busselton Holiday Park. Both have excellent locations.
- We LOVED staying at the Hilton Garden Inn! Perfect if you want to pamper yourself, celebrate a special occasion, or just take a luxury break from van life.
- A budget-friendly option is the Restawile Motel. A bit old-school but great location and clean rooms, it gets the job done.
What about renting a caravan?
There are heaps of caravan rentals in Perth! If we didn’t have our caravan, these are the operators we’d go to:
- JUCY campervans, the budget-friendly option. Some campers have shower and toilets, others don’t. Best for short trips.
- Star RV, the luxury option, best if you’re after a home on wheels.
- Apollo, wide variety of prices and models, best if you’re road tripping intersate (it has more pick-up and drop-off points).
Where to eat
Our favourite spot for brekky in Busso is The Good Egg.
The coffee is great, the portions are big, and it’s a good spot if you need to open the laptop for a bit too.
It’s open daily from 7 AM to 4-5 PM last time we checked, so it’s perfect if you don’t want to hit the road early with an empty stomach!
Also, the name comes from Brad, who sadly passed away from brain cancer. The café donates 5% of profits to brain cancer research ❤️
Other great spots for a bite in Busso include:
- Shelter Brewing: Our go-to for beers and a meal after snorkelling the jetty.
- Flametree Wines: One of our fave wineries in the area. The vibe is relaxed and the staff is very friendly.
- The Goose: Right on the waterfront and open pretty much all day. Good for breakfast or lunch, but it can get busy in peak hours.
- Spice Odysee: Great home cooked Indian food with generous portions.
Best time to visit
February to April is our favourite time to visit. The crowds of summer are pretty much gone and the warm weather is still there.
Spring is another good alternative, plus it’s whale-watching season! The water will be cold though, so if you want to snorkel, bring a wetsuit.
If you’re visiting in summer, make sure to book everything well ahead of time, though. Accommodation will book out.
FREE map with things to do in Busselton
FAQs
How many days to stay in Busselton?
We think 2 days is more than enough for Busso. Add 2 extra days if you also want to explore Dunsborough!
Do you have to pay to walk along Busselton Jetty?
Yes, there’s a $5 entry fee at the time of writing. It includes full access to the jetty, including snorkelling. The train and the observatory have additional fees.
How do I spend a day in Busselton?
If you can only spend 1 day in Busso, we recommend brekky at The Good Egg, followed by snorkelling at the jetty. Then swim a bit or go paddleboarding at the foreshore. Finish with a meal at The Goose, or a cold beer at Shelter Brewing!
Ready for an epic trip to Busso? Grab this first!
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This is how the guide looks:
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