Things to do in  Busselton

Yes, Busselton is worth a visit. While this beach-front town may sometimes be overlooked in favor of Dunsborough and Margaret River, there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye—quite literally, with a jetty so long you can’t see its end or the observatory below the wave line.

Two or three days is a reasonable amount of time to spend in Busselton. While you can still enjoy a flying visit, a weekend trip is ideal for ticking off all the highlights, relaxing on the beach, and squeezing in a quick trip to Dunsborough or Margaret River.

Busselton is best known as the home of the Busselton Jetty, which first opened in 1865. At 1.1 miles long (1.8 kilometers), the wooden jetty is the longest in the southern hemisphere and even has a train to ferry visitors back and forth. It’s also home to Australia’s first underwater observatory, which offers a fish-eye view of the ocean floor.

Yes, you can swim in Busselton. While you can swim on the beaches, you can also swim, snorkel, and dive from the Busselton Jetty. There are ladders, platforms, and a ramp for wheelchair access to the water. If you want to head further afield, Dunsborough is another popular swimming spot, as is Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

Most visitors to the southwest prefer the chill vacation vibes and beachfront location of Busselton compared to the busy port city of Bunbury. However, as the third biggest city in the state, Bunbury is better for shopping and gathering supplies—with the Bunbury Farmers Market a must-visit on any trip down south.

Busselton and Dunsborough are great on-the-beach vacation destinations, with plenty to see and do and great shopping, eating, and drinking scenes. While Busselton is a little closer to Perth, making it great for a weekend, Dunsborough is closer to some of the region’s popular attractions, like caves, wineries, and surf beaches.