There are many things to do and see in Busselton such as the longest jetty in the Southern hemisphere, Underwater Observatory, Ludlow Tuart Forest, whale watching (in September/October), and Nocturnal Animal Tours. Busselton is a quiet, coastal town, 223 kilometers from Perth, that’s about 2 1/2 hours drive.
1. The number one thing to do and see is the Busselton Jetty.
The Busselton Jetty is the main attraction in Busselton, it is what Busselton is most famous for, the jetty is 1700 meters long and goes straight out across Geographe Bay. It is the longest tourist jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and is quite impressive. You can walk along the jetty to the end, where there is a display showing the history of the jetty. You can also dive or fish off it, relax on one of the benches while looking out over the beautiful, blue ocean for dolphins, whales or birds.
To go on the jetty is costs $4 AUD for a day pass and this payment goes to maintaining the jetty.
The tickets are available at the Interpretive Centre, from 10am to 5pm daily or online at http://busseltonjetty.com.au
The jetty is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks and is free when the Interpretive Centre is closed. If you want to save $4 go before 10am or after 5pm.
2. Busselton Jetty Train Ride
If you can’t face the 3.4 kilometer return walk. or like me, walking along the edge of a jetty high above the ocean freaks you out, then you can get a cute little train. The train goes along the middle of the jetty to the end and you can’t see how high up you are, so no worries.
The journey takes approximately 15 minutes each way and costs $14 AUD for adults and $8.50 AUD for children. The train leaves every hour on the hour, but you need a ticket and they sell out fast, especially during school holidays. The tickets are available from the Interpretive Centre or online at busseltonjetty.com.au
The train runs from 10 am to 3pm daily from the Interpretive Centre.
3. Underwater Observatory is the thing to do and see in Busselton.
Located at the end of the jetty, the Underwater Observatory is a must see attraction, though there are no guarantees that you will see something awesome, it just depends on what happens to be swimming by at the time.
The Observatory has three levels, which go down to the sea floor, 9 meters in total and there are stairs in between each level (six flights of ten stairs). There is a lift for wheelchair access. The entrance fee includes a guided tour for approximately 15 minutes and then you have 30 minutes to explore on your own. The tour guide explains how the observatory was build, the history of the jetty and the different sea life you may see. They also had a microphone on the outside of the observatory under the water and when I went in September/October the whales were migrating up the coast and I could hear them talking to each other, it was amazing.
I had plenty of time to look through all the glass windows and take photos on all three levels.
The Observatory cost $34AUD for adults and $20 AUD for children (3-17 years) and this includes the jetty day pass, return train ride and guided tour. You can only enter the observatory with a guided tour.
The tickets are available from the Interpretive Centre or online at busseltonjetty.com.au
4. Whale Watching is a must do thing in Busselton.
Every September the whales start migrating north to warmer waters to breed and have their calves, then return south to Antarctica, on the way they rest in Geographe Bay. I have been whale watching in Geographe Bay twice and both times I have seen many whales and had an amazing experience. The skipper and his crew were constantly pointing out where the whales (and dolphins) were about to surface with insane accuracy (freaky… how do they know?) It is so exciting to see them close to the boat but then scary when you see their enormous size.
I went with All Sea Charters Whale Watching, at 9.45am (before the sea breeze came in) but they also go at 1.15pm, it costs $90AUD per person and lasts 2 1/2 hours, for more info see http://www.whalewatchingcharters.com.au
Make sure you wear lots of warm layers of clothing, it is freezing (the wind is really freezing and that was in the morning on a sunny day…. brrrrr).
Everyone needs to see these incredible animals at least once in your life.
5. Nocturnal Animal Tour- Meet the Woylies.
What is a Woylie? I hear you say, well it is a small Australian marsupial animal on the endangered animals list (oh no!). This tour is not technically in Busselton, but they do pick you up at your accommodation (even caravan parks) so I will include it in things to do in Busselton. South West Eco Discoveries, that’s Ryan and Mick (brothers), take you out to the privately owned Yelverton Conservation Sanctuary near Dunsborough, the acres of bushland is surrounded by an electric fence to keep the foxes and feral cat outs. You take a short walk thorough the bush, discovering native plants, to the viewing area where they put food out for the nocturnal animals to come and eat. The food is a mix of seeds, like muesli, and designed by the Perth Zoo Woylie Breeding program and is only 10 to 15% of their daily requirements, so the animals can’t rely on the free food, they have to find their own.
We saw kangaroos first (well they met us on the path going in and are super friendly because they have been hand-reared) then not long after bandicoots, then the star attraction, Woylies and finally possums, a mum with her baby and another shy possum, who didn’t hang around.
The tour has a maximum of 12 people and includes billy tea.
The tour costs $60AUD for adults and $30AUD for children (4-14yrs) with part proceeds going to the Woylie Conservation.
For more info and to book go to http://SouthWestEcoDiscoveries.com.au
To see these unique native animals in the Australian bush with Kookaburras laughing was a magical experience I really enjoyed.
A Ring-tailed possum and her baby.
Bandicoot and a Kangaroo.
Kangaroo greeting on arrival.
A Woylie .
6. Ludlow Tuart Forest walk is an active thing to see and do in Busselton.
Just 10 minutes drive from Busselton, down Layman Road, is the Ludlow Tuart Forest Nation Park. The super impressive Tuart trees grow 33 meters high and 10 meters in girth and the forest is the largest area of protected Tuart Tree in the world.
There is an info hut describing the history of the area and the early settlers, near the Possum Trail.
Possum Trail an Maibup Bird Hide
Ludlow Tuart Forest Info Hut
A Great Bird Hide
Boardwalk to the bird hide.
Stunning wildflowers in the forest.
The possum trail is an easy 1.4 kilometer loop with information plaques along the path. The trail is best seen at night to spot possums as this area has the highest possum population in Western Australia, so bring a torch and follow the red reflectors if you’re brave enough to walk in the forest at night.
The trail is also a great walk in the day with the wildflowers, bird hide and huge Tuart trees.
7. Busselton Heritage Trail is a fun thing to do and see in Busselton.
Busselton Heritage Trail Map
The Busselton Heritage trail is a fun way to see the town center and learn about the history of Busselton. You will need to take a photo of the trail at the Visitors Info Center, as they don’t have any paper maps and have a QR scanner on your phone.
The trail starts at the Railway House(visitors Center) and goes down Queen Street and ends at the Chapel Café. It took me about one hour and I went into the Art Gallery, which is very small, and the Old courthouse and jail. There are stories on the walls about the prisoners which are interesting and a bit funny ( the prisoner who thought he was digging his way out but ended up in the cell next door…LOL)
There are plaques with historical information and QR codes to scan, as well as statues depicting the lives of the early settlers.
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The Heritage Trail finishes at the Chapel Café and time to sit down with a cuppa, after not only finishing the Heritage Trail, but also exploring beautiful Busselton.
Travel tips for Busselton-
- Check out the Visitors Information Center to see what is happening locally, maybe festivals, markets or local events.
- Bring a torch to spot nocturnal animals.
- Bring comfortable bush walking shoes and hat.
- Wear lots of layered clothing as the morning may be cold then the weather warms up during the day.
- Groceries are readily available at Coles, Woolies and Aldi and are the same prices as Perth.
- Stay at accommodation within walking distance to amenities, such as shops, restaurants and the beach.
If you would like to explore further a field check out my blogs-