Fun Busselton Attractions: Family-Friendly Things to Do

Since the early 1900’s Busselton has been a popular place for West Australian’s to holiday.  It’s little wonder with its calm clear white sandy beaches and its stunning natural coastal scenery.  But I have long only thought of Busselton as the gateway to the Margaret River Region, being just a two and half our drive from Perth with a multitude of accommodation choices.

However recently I have delved into discovering more about Busselton and have been pleasantly surprised to discover there are so many things to do in Busselton for families of all ages.

Yes you can still drive further down the coast for day trips, but you don’t need to; I’ve found there are so many Busselton attractions all within a 20-minute drive of the town centre.

In this Article You Will Learn About Fun Things to Do in Busselton WA

• History of Busselton
• Busselton historic sites
• Busselton beach
• Busselton parks and foreshore
• Nearby Busselton activities
• Plan your trip
  • Location
  • Websites
  • Where to find more information

PLEASE NOTE:
Travel and border restrictions are constantly evolving.
Please ensure you check all official government and tourism websites for openings and availability before making final arrangements and bookings.

Busselton History

The town sits in the area previously known as Undalup by the Wardandi Aboriginal Clan who were the original custodians of the land for 40 000 years. 

From the 1600’s European and American ships sailed the waters off Western Australia hunting whales.  In the south of WA, Albany was settled in 1826 and to the north Fremantle and Perth were settled in 1829.  As the white settlement explored more of Western Australia a man by the name of Bussell came across the area now known as Busselton and thought it would make good grazing pasture.

Over time more pastoralists came to the area growing wheat, barley and oats along with grazing sheep, pigs and cattle and it officially became a town in 1837.  A jetty began being built in 1865 built and from 1858 stock was exported from Busselton Port.  120km away in Manjimup the timber industry was also growing, a railway line was built in 1871 to transport the timber for milling and exportation.

By 1972, Bunbury Port had superseded Busselton Port resulting in the closure of the Port.  Today you can learn about the history of the town and the jetty at the following locations.

10 Busselton Attractions

Busselton Museum

Continue to learn more about the history of the town at the old Busselton Butter Factory home to the Busselton Museum.  The museum is located about five blocks back from the foreshore on the banks of the Sabina River.

Inside you’ll find memorabilia, photographs and displays about the town and jetty.

• Website: Busselton Museum
• Opening Times: 10am-4pm Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesday)
• Cost: $10/adult and $5/child

Art Geo Cultural Complex

As you walk back through town continue your historic education by taking the time to read plaques and statues that are dotted about on the main streets.

Two streets before the foreshore is the original Busselton Courthouse now home to the Art Geo Cultural Complex.  This is one of the free things to do in Busselton, to wander through the old gaol cells, the original courtrooms and old Bond Store that has also been used as the post office and a bank.

Outside you’ll find a six season Aboriginal bush food educational garden.

• Website
• Opening hours: 10am-4pm daily
• Cost: free

Busselton Jetty

No trip to here is complete without visiting the 1.8km historic jetty, which is the longest wooden pile jetty in the world.

You can learn all about the history of Busselton Jetty and its huge impact on the viability on growth of the town in the museum located within the Interpretive Centre and Museum.

During previous holidays to Busselton we have walked the entire length and back.  It is quite fascinating stopping to chat to all the various fisherman along the way and read the plaques. 

Alternatively, you can take the cute little red train to the end of the jetty, which departs on the hour.  At the end of the jetty is the Underwater Observatory that provides 360° views of the ocean floor making it one of the top things to see in Busselton.

• Website
• Opening hours:
  • The jetty structure is open 24 hours/7 days per week
  • Interpretive Centre, 9:30-4:15pm Sunday-Friday and 8:30-5.15 on Saturday
  • Train departs on the hours, 9am-4pm Sunday-Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday
  • Underwater Observatory, 9am-3pm Sunday-Friday and 9am-4pm Saturday
• Cost:
  • To walk the jetty: $4/adult
  • Train: $14/adult and $8:50/child
  • Underwater Observatory (includes train) $34/adult and $20/child

Busselton Beach

By early in the 20^th century Busselton and the Geographe Bay had become popular with holiday makers and it is little wonder with its calm clear waters and white sandy beaches.  It is perfect for kids and all ages.

Along the entire length of the beachfront are paved paths for walking and cycling.

Top Trip Tip: If you have a dog there are specific dog beaches

Busselton Parks on the Foreshore

At the town centre the foreshore extends with lots of shaded green grassy fields, cafés, free BBQ’s and lots of playgrounds providing lots of things to do with kids of all ages.

Original Foreshore Playground

When we first visited Busselton as a young family, we thought this playground next to Signal Park with lots of rope spiderwebs was very good and it still is.  It is surrounded by lots of shady trees and the dog park is just over on the other side of the free car park.

Sea Play on the Bay

But now there is the new Sea Play on the Bay playground and it is something.  With large shipwreck and mast to climb, limestone rocks to clamber over, netted swings hanging from a giant orange octopus.  This is bound to keep the kids entertained for hours.

Skate Park

But don’t fear big kids have not been left out, there is a new skatepark with deep skateboarding bowls, hills and ramps to fly over with scooters.

Top Trip Tip: If you’ve left your scooter or bike at home, there is a scooter higher kiosk located nearby

Things to Do Near Busselton

Just outside of town with less than a 20-minute drive are lots of family-friendly Busselton activities and adventures for all ages to enjoy.

Busselton Primal Archery

We recently tried out Busselton Archery, located about 15 minutes from town, it was so much fun!

Your session begins with a short lesson in safety and how to shoot with a bow and arrow.  Then you make your way through the course under the native peppermint trees.  Each target is set a different length than the previous and the course gets progressively more difficult.

• Website
• Opening hours change depending on the season check the website
• Cost: from $15 for 15 shoots (3 arrows and five targets)

Busselton Mini-Golf

 At Busselton Primal Archery they also offer mini-golf or you can go to The Par 3 golf course (only 10 minutes from town) that also has a dedicated 18 hole mini-golf course.

The Par3:

• Website
• Opening hours: from 8am seven days per week
• Cost: $18/adult and $12/child

Forest Adventures

Ten minutes north of town in the Ludlow Tuart Forest is the adrenal filled Forest Adventures.  You can swing, climb and zip line through the forest on the six different high rope and wire obstacle courses.

• Website
• Opening hours: Thursday to Monday 9am-5pm
• Cost: $44/adult and $36/child

BOOK THIS ADVENTURE*

Things to Do in Dunsborough and Yallingup

The towns of Dunsborough and Yallingup are only 20 and 30 minutes’ drive from Busselton respectively.

Dunsborough

In Dunsborough you’ll find:

• Xcape at the Cape
• Next Level Monkey Business
• Cape Naturalist Lighthouse

BOOK A CAPE NATURALIST LIGHTHOUSE TOUR*

Yallingup

In Yallingup you’ll discover:

• Yallingup Maze
• Nilgi Cave

We’ve been to both of these and they are well worth the extra thirty minute drive.

BOOK A NILGI CAVE TOUR*

Top Trip Tip: Many of these activities are adventurous ensure you wear closed in quality walking shoes for stability

Planning Your Visit and What to Do in Busselton

As you can see there are so many attractions in Busselton to experience and enjoy either on a short getaway weekender or a longer stay in the South West Margaret River Region. So the following tips are here to help you plan your road trip

Location

Busselton is located 222km south of Perth.  It is an easy two and half drive on the Kwinana Freeway and Forest Highway.  But just don’t forget to make a pit stop at the Bunbury Farmers Market on the way.

If you don’t have a car you can fly but it is very expensive and seriously by the time you have driven to the airport, checked-in and hour before your flight, flown down, got off the plane collected your luggage and been driven to your accommodation – you could have already driven down here.

Hire a Car in Perth*

To learn the location of all the Busselton activities mentioned check out this interactive map.

Top Trip Tip: There are timed point to point speed cameras between Lake Clifton and Binningup – make sure you stick to the speed limit on your road trip

Where to Stay

You’ll find lots of holiday accommodation options.  You’ll find motels, short stay apartments, caravan parks with chalets and private accommodations.

We have stayed at and can recommend:

• Big4 Breeze Beachlands*
• Mandalay Holiday Park*

We have also stayed at Busselton Holiday Village as they allowed our dog.  But in no way shape or form could I recommend staying here.  There was a hole in the bathroom floor, dead bugs all over the window sills, and the couch sagged, but seriously I was too scared to sit on it.

Find and Book Your Accommodation*

More Information

The official tourism websites for Busselton and the Margaret River Region include:

• Margaret River Region
• Australia’s South West

You may like to read a travel guide on Western Australia* for more information

Or check out all of Tips 4 Trips articles on Western Australia and the South West.  Including these articles and more coming soon on the Margaret River Region:

• Taste Sensations of the Margaret River Region
• Stay at Riverview Tourist Park in Margaret River
• Plan Your Visit to Jewel Cave and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
• Things to Do in Augusta (COMIN SOON)
• Fun Things to Do in Busselton
• Discover Funky Cowaramup (COMING SOON)
• Explore the Margaret River Caves (COMING SOON)
• Enjoy so Many Things to do in the Margaret River Region (COMING SOON)

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