Our insider’s guide to the top things to do in Busselton

Katrina LodgeBy Katrina Lodge
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This not-so-secret Western Australian coastal town will have you wishing you could linger longer.

West Aussies have been flocking to the South West town of Busselton for decades – where bedazzling beaches, world-class wine and immersive nature experiences are on the doorstep. Just 2.5 hours from Perth by car – and now with direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne – the gateway to the Margaret River Region is having a moment. Ready to dive in?  Here’s our list of things to do in Busselton.

1. Jump off the jetty

an aerial view of the Busselton Jetty, Geographe Bay
The longest timber pile jetty extends into the turquoise seas of Geographe Bay. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Walk, train or snorkel along the longest timber pile jetty in the southern hemisphere – 1.8 kilometres. An iconic Western Australian landmark, Busselton Jetty gracefully extends herself into the turquoise seas of Geographe Bay like the leg of a supermodel. At the end is an underwater observatory – one of only six in the world – where you can descend beneath the ocean without getting wet. Immerse yourself in the artificial reef with a fish-eye view of marine life and swaying seagrass. Keen scuba divers can explore the underwater sculpture trail – completed in 2024 – clinging to the ocean floor. Flick a fishing rod with locals at sunset.

2. Sample the region’s finest wine

wine tasting at Aravina Estate in the Yallingup
Sip on award-winning wines at Aravina Estate. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Busselton is a fabulous launchpad to the renowned vineyards of the Margaret River Wine region. Yet, you’ll also find vino options closer to town. In the heart of town adjoining Busselton Pavilion , is The South West Wine Shop – an eclectic curation that leans into Western Australian wines. The space feels more like a fun wine library, with expert advice and a daily changing wine-by-the-glass list. Expect the unexpected.

Whicher Ridge , a twenty-minute drive, claims the position of closest cellar door to Busselton. This small-batch winery has a sensory garden for an immersive wine experience.

Flametree Wines , near Dunsborough, is a skip across the road from the sandy shores of Geographe Bay. With a relaxed Hamptons-style cellar door and deck, luscious lawns, plus James Halliday-approved, award-winning wines, what’s not to love? It’s kid and pet-friendly too. Aravina Estate in the Yallingup area is a 180-acre sprawling property of vines and gum trees. For a relaxed afternoon, spread out with a picnic blanket on the expansive lawns by the dam and order a pizza from their pizza bar. Or if attentive service is your thing, book the restaurant. Be sure to check out their renowned surf gallery – a partnership with Surfing WA – bursting with memorabilia, as well as a private collection of cool vintage cars.

3. Head to a brewery

lunch and beer tasting at Shelter brewery
Enjoy lunch with your chosen brew at Shelter. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

There are plenty of top-notch breweries in the Margaret River region. Lapping the edge of the Busselton foreshore is Shelter . Plonk yourself down for an afternoon of award-winning beer, where the kids can play on the grass, the ocean shimmers like a sequinned backdrop and locals bommie off the jetty. Or don your sustainability cap at Rocky Ridge Brewing , Australia’s first certified sustainable brewery. Their taphouse is centrally located near the jetty in a refurbished 1930s house with over 40 frothies on tap and burgers to team them with. A short 30-minute drive away, on a working farm, is Eagle Bay Brewery . This ocean-view brewpub and winery attracts crowds, including families, for relaxed long lunches and produce from the kitchen garden.

Feeling spirited? Beyond Distilling produces a range of sustainable craft spirits, sourcing ingredients directly from WA farmers. It’s open daily for tastings. Or take a road trip to Cowaramup – Cow Town to locals – to try West Winds Distillers .

4. Wander on Wadandi Country

limestone walls inside Ngilgi Cave, Wadandi Country
The labyrinthine network of karst limestone in Ngilgi Cave. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Immerse yourself in Wadandi Boodja Country with cultural custodian Josh Whiteland and Koomal Dreaming . Listen to the haunting sound of the digeridoo reverberating off limestone cave walls deep within Ngilgi Cave. Local bushtucker is also on the tour menu, along with learning about – and spotting – native flora and fauna. Go at your own pace with a semi-guided interactive tour on the scenic pathway of the Ngilgi Cave Ancient Caves Land Experience.

5. Go whale watching

Coined the humpback highway, migratory humpback, southern and blue whales meander along the south-west coastline from August to November. The calm waters of Geographe Bay off Busselton offer extraordinary opportunities to witness these gentle giants. Or head to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, on the tip of the cape, for sailor views from the observation platform. Take the Whale Lookout Walk Trail (2.4km long) from the lighthouse carpark for specky views. Listen for the deep, guttural echo and the misty whistle as they exhale, often very close to shore. If ocean-faring is more your style, book a tour with the region’s pioneers of whale tours, Naturaliste Charters .

6. Lap it up at the many  brilliant beaches

the white sand shore of Meelup Beach from above
The bush meets the white sand of Meelup Beach. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

From protected waters to surging surf, Busselton is within cooee of some of the best beaches in Western Australia. Busselton foreshore boasts its own stretch of blinding white sand and brilliant blue water. With calm waters for swimming, a nautical-themed playground and the Aquatastic water playground, it’s the ultimate family-friendly beach. Or head to Castle Rock Bay at Cape Naturaliste and dive into the glass-clear turquoise water that is protected from the westerly breeze. Just around the corner is Meelup Beach where grass parkland and drooping peppermint trees make the perfect picnic spot on the edge of the sand. Fringed by Meelup Regional Park, take a walk on the spectacular coastal track for breathtaking views where the bush meets the sea. It’s a unique opportunity to hear both birds sing and whales blow.

7. Cool down with a treat from Simmo’s ice-cream

Something of a local legend, this ice creamery – just a few minutes from Dunsborough township – will keep any sized kid happy. Be prepared to procrastinate. Simmo’s whacky experiments can be something of a Willy Wonka experience, with 60 delectable flavour choices, including vegan options. With sprawling grass, a playground and 18-hole mini golf lick away the afternoon here. Hot tip: make it a double serving. 

8. Stroll the pristine beaches in Yallingup

hikers on top of a rocky cliff overlooking a beach in Yallingup
Yallingup is home to dramatic rocky cliffs and stunning surf beaches. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@travel.withcharlie)

The coastal hamlet of Yallingup is near a 30-minute drive from Busselton. Hugged by a national park, the appeal of this one-road-in township is its sandy-toed surfer vibe. Old-school beach shacks hold court with million-dollar mansions. Stroll the length of one of the most beautiful beaches in WA with ivory sand and thundering offshore swell. Take a dip in the pristine azure lagoon at the southern end, for safe swimming and snorkelling.

Yallingup pub, Caves House, is an emblematic venue in the South West. Wander up from the beach via the Ghost Trail.  With a rambling garden, this 1903 landmark venue has great pub grub and live music. Join locals – and maybe even a ghost or two according to legend – for the famed summer Sunday session.

Discover the best things to do in the Margaret River

Katrina Lodge
Katrina Lodge is a freelance journalist living in Dunsborough, WA. A lifetime lover of words and travel, she relishes combining the two and transporting readers to the places she discovers. From getting dusty on outback roads, to floating atop an azure sea and languishing in sumptuous boutique hotels, Katrina finds joy, and a story, in a myriad of destinations.
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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
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    The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

    Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts  that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

    A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead.
    Dine in the heart of nature.

    Your guide to Lake Argyle

    The backstory

    With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

    The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

    Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

    A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation.
    Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

    The rooms

    A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

    The facilities

    There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

    If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

    Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

    Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

    Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks.
    Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

    Your guide to El Questro

    The backstory

    One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

    The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

    A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity.
    Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

    The rooms

    Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

    At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

    Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

    Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below.
    Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

    The facilities

    Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

    Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

    A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty.
    Experience thrilling nature activities.

    Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.