Busselton Attractions
Local Attractions
Busselton has a wide variety of attractions for everyone to enjoy. All the activities listed below are in the local area of Busselton and Dunsborough shire and in the South West corner, including places such as the Margaret River Wine region and the Augusta Whale Watching region.
Beaches
A few minutes from your holiday accommodation there is a very inviting sandy beach, a part of the Geographe Bay, perfect for children to have a swim. This area is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. The famous Busselton Jetty is a must see! Ride the train out to the end or take a walk out to the famous Under Water Observatory! Pack a picnic lunch under the fig trees, overlooking the swimming area. There are number of protected boat ramps, Busselton is a great place to take the boat out into Geographe Bay to go fishing and diving. Dunsborough has a number of secluded bays that are hidden away in the winding coast. Take a day trip out to Meelup beach and enjoy a barbecue in the park right on the beach front.
Wineries and Local Produce
Busselton is surrounded by the Margaret River Wine Region wineries and vineyards. Visit Olio Bello, where they make fresh olive oils and other olive products, the Margaret River Chocolate factory, the Margaret River Cheese factories, Candy Cow and finish up with some of our local wineries such as Vasse Felix, Edwards Vineyard, Fermoy Estate and Mosswood. Cullen Wines offer a great selection of premium Margaret River organic wine, as well as organic food for lunch. Why not book a tour at the reception, we provide a range of different tours for you to enjoy the region.
Whale Watching
Walk out on the Busselton Jetty and you if your are lucky you will see the Whales at play, during the Whale season. As they travel north we often get a friendly visit from a pod of Whales as they past by. They love to show off their beauty and play in the geography Bay on their way past. A very memorable experience for the children and the big kids! There are whale tours available at Augusta, Dunsborough and Busselton. Please ask at the reception for more details.
Maps and Information
Maps and information for scenic tours are available at reception. Busselton can supply all of your needs. We are located within walking distance from the centre of town. Busselton has a post office and a local 24hr police station, local hospital, a number of doctors and medical practices and chemists. Busselton has all the large shopping center's including Coles, Local IGA, Woolworths and smaller independent shops. There are news agencies, bakeries, hairdressers,beauticians and gift/novelty shops as well as dress shops.
Surfing
Margaret River is just half an hour away from your holiday destination. From the learner to the more experienced surfer there is a surf break for everyone and every type of board including mal riders, short board riders and body board riders. The surf breaks in the South West have been made famous by pros and surfing videos. The Margaret River classic is on once a year and the Margaret River pro is on once a year. There are lots of local competitions for the spectators or the keen sufer. There are plenty of other excellent breaks in the South West corner.
Caves
The region has lots of popular caves including the Yallingup Ngilgi Cave near Dunsborough. The caves are a great experience and shouldn't be missed. The most popular caves have tours that run daily. With a good pair of comfortable shoes the caves can be enjoyed by just about everyone. Experienced cavers and abseilers will enjoy the many caves and cliffs surrounding the area. Check at reception for a map and shire regulations for self guided tours.
Diving
For a great diving experience the World War II warship HMAS Swan is situated in the Busselton Bay. For more information please ask at reception.
Busselton Events
January
Festival Of Busselton
Date: January 19th - 27th 2007
Venue: Busselton Town Centre
The 43rd Festival of Busselton
Busselton Art Society presents Art in the Park
Date: 25-28 Janaury 2007
Venue: Mitchell Park, Queen St Busselton
Times: Thursday Jan 25- 10am to 5.30pm Friday Jan 26- 8.30am to 5.30pm Saturday Jan 27- 8.30am to 5.30pm Sunday Jan 28- 8.30am to 3pm.
Contact Details: Phone (08) 9752 1351 or (08) 9752 3644
Live performance by award winning David Goldberg.
Date: Thursday 25th January
Date:Saturday 27th
Busselton will feature a Kids Corner with kids activities
Times: 10am to 3pm.
Leeuwin Estate Australian Concert
Date: 26 January 2007
Venue: Leeuwin Estate
Times: Gates open at 5.30
Tickets: $45 Adult (15 yrs+) $10 Children (5 – 14yrs) plus booking fee
Contact Details: TICKETS ON SALE NOW Available from Busselton and Dunsborough Visitor Centres
Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com.au 1300 558 878
Leeuwin Estate Winery (08) 9759 0000
Swell Sounds Margaret River (08) 9757 2162
Margaret River Visitor Centre
2007 Marron and Wine Festival
Date: 27 January 2007
Venue: Pemberton Sports Club & Oval from 10am
Contact Details: For bookings of "The Fab Four" and support acts
ph (08) 9776 0484 or email pemberton@wn.com.au
Visit www.pembertonwa.com
Yallingup Twilight Markets
Date: 28th January 2007
Venue: Yallingup Hall
Times: Open 4pm to 8.30pm.
Events February 2007
Amberley Semillon and Seafood Weekend
Date: 3-4 February 2007
Venue: Amberley Estate
Bookings can be made through Amberley Estate on (08) 9750 1111
2007 Busselton Jetty Swim
Date: 4 February 2007
Venue: Busselton Jetty
Contact Details: Website: www.busseltonjettyswim.org.au
Brookhampton Estate Vineyard - 3rd Annual Outdoor Concert
Date: Saturday 10th February 2007
Venue: Brookhampton Estate Vineyard
Tickets $69pp OR Groups - 10 or more tickets $60pp are available through Ticketmaster 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au, Gold Tickets $189pp include an exclusive marquee area, parking, catering, beer/wine/soft drink and also concert souvenir are available through Brookhampton Estate Vineyard 08 9731 0400 or events@brookhamptonesate.com.au
Early Bird Special – Book 10 or more adult tickets before 12 January 2007 and receive 1 x case of Classic Dry Red wine FREE delivered prior to the event
For easy access to and from the estate transfers are available from Donnybrook, Bunbury, Collie & Busselton.
Nizam Memorial Service
Date: 11 February 2007
Venue: Leeuwin Lighthouse
Contact Details: For more information contact:
Neil Sinclair Ph: 08 9405 1598
2007 marks the 62nd anniversary of the HMAS Nizam tragedy off the coast of Cape Leeuwin.
At 10am on Sunday, 11 February a memorial service will be held at the Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Yallingup Twilight Markets
Date: 11 February 2007
Venue: Yallingup Hall
Times: Open 4pm to 8.30pm
Geographe Bay Race Week
Date: 23 Feb to 2 Mar 2007
Venue: Port Geographe
Leeuwin Estate Concert- Simply Red
Date: 24 & 25 February 2007
Venue: Leeuwin Estate
Times: Saturday 24 February and Sunday 25 February.
Tickets: $125 each
Contact Details: For more information visit www.leeuwinestate.com.au
Yallingup Twilight Markets
Date: 25 February 2007
Venue: Yallingup Hall
Times: 4pm to 8.30pm
Interested stall holders should contact 9755 2796
Events March 2007
Sony Tropfest Outdoor Film Screening
Date: Saturday 3rd March 2007
Venue: MadFish Winery
Go Troppo at MadFish
Times: 6.45pm for an 8.15pm start
Tickets: $18 per person (Tickets available from early February 2007)
Early bookings essential as numbers are strictly limited
Bookings & Enquiries: Phone 9756 5200 or visit MadFish Winery Cellar Door (Miamup Rd, Cowaramup)
Dunsborough Arts Festival
Date: Sunday 4th March 2007
More Information TBA
2007 WA Circus Festival
Date: 16,17 & 18 March 2007
Venue: Karridale
Contact Details: fatso@lunacircus.com (08) 9758 4174
Tickets: Adults 1 day pass $35 - 3 day pass $80 Kids 1 day pass $20 - 3 day pass $50 Camping $10 per day per body
THE WORKSHOP PROGRAM March 8th - 15th
Acrobatics - juggling - trapeze - aerial silk and rope - clown - tight wire - flying trapeze - hand balancing - yoga - contortion - Chinese pole - acrobalance and more...
Early Bird Special before December 31st $400 Includes camping and festival ticket Full price $600 after Jan 1st. Discounts for groups available.
Busselton Health Study's 2nd Charity Golf Day
Date: Friday March 16 2007
Venue: Dunsborough Lakes Resort Golf Course
Contact Details: Registrations close Friday March 9th 2007
Please Contact: Natalie Venosi at MOSAIC for registration kit.
Ph: 9756 8523 or email: mosaic@wn. com.au or download it at www.busseltonhealthstudy.com
West Australian Ballet: Under the Stars at Leeuwin
Date: 17 March 2007
Venue: Leeuwin Estate
Contact Details: Arts Margaret River (08) 9758 7316
Please call into the Arts Margaret River Office or the Margaret River Visitor Centre for programmes and ticket order forms.
Events April 2007
Free Holiday Activity - Guided Beach Walk & Marine
Date: Wednesday 11th April 2007
Venue: Yallingup Lagoon, yallingup Beach
Time: 9 until 11am
Join the knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide on a discovery of marine life and other items that can be found on our local beaches. Find out how marine and costal ecosystems work together to remain sustainable in our changing enviroment
What you will need: A hat, sunscreen, water and a sense of fun and enthusiasm. Numbers Are Limited
Please register with gilbert Stokman at the department of Fisheries on Ph: 9752 2152 or Mobile: 0427088672
Cowaramup Hall Markets- Black Friday Night Market
Date: 13 April 2007 Black Friday Night Market
Venue: Cowaramuup Hall
Times: 4.30pm until 8.30pm
This market will replace the normal Saturday Market. Come along and enjoy local quality produce and products, as well as some Special stalls on the evening. There will be live entertainment, music, food stalls and coffee and dessert available. If you thought night markets were scary- wait until you have seen these!
Contact Details: Donna Carter 9755 5538
Quit Forest Rally
Date: 27-29 April 2007
Venue: Busselton & Nannup
Busselton and Nannup will come alive as Australia's best rally drivers show their skills around the tarmac Super Stage in Busselton and then out amongst the pine trees in Nannup. At the Busselton Toyota Superstage there is plenty to see and do with a true carnival atmosphere- the main features being the Shannons Busselton Tarmac Rally and the Shannons Busselton Speed event, being held on the afternoon of Saturday April 28. Over in Nannup the main street is closed down to become the service park for the weekend. This is a great opportunity to see the mechanics at work on the cars and it is possible to get close to the drivers for autographs. There is non-stop rally action in the pine trees near Nannup where you can get to see their real skills as they fly over jumps and throw the car sideways! An estimated 70 cars will enter the rally including Australia's leading competitors driving Toyota's, Ford's, Mitsubishi's and Subaru's. There are 20 special stages divided into 7 sections over 2 heats. With the additional Clubman series being part of the rally organisers are expecting one of the biggest fields for many years!
The supplementary regulations and entry forms can now be accessed online via www.wacarclub.com.au or www.rally.com In addition to entry forms, there are also Service Crew registration, Service park requirements, Recce car registration and test stage application forms
Contact Details: Ross Tapper (Clerk of Course) 0418 950022, Ann Skipworth (Race secretary) 08 9455
Events May 2007
Busselton Festival of Triathlon
Date: 4-6 May 2007
Venue: Busselton
The Busselton Half Ironman will be held in Busselton on Saturday 5th May. The Festival starts on the Friday evening with registration for competitors. Saturday morning the bay becomes a sea of bodies as competitiors make their way around a 1.9km course in the tranquil waters next to the Busselton Jetty. The cycle course is a three lap 90.1km, flat and fast course, riding pass the bay and through the beautiful Tuart Forest. The final leg, a three lap 21.2km run course takes you along the path with views out over the bay. Competitors, spectators and volunteers are invited to the MELTDOWN PARTY- for the chance to celebrate and relax. This will be held on Saturday evening at the Esplanade Hotel
Contact Details: www.busseltonhalf.com
Busselton Kids Triathlon
Date: 4 May 2007
Venue: Busselton
The Kids event is expected to run on the Friday afternoon prior to the main Half Ironman event. The Busselton Tri Club is gaining a reputation for running the best kids triathlon. But we need your help, if you would like to volunteer to assist with this event please contact: aandc.wilkinson@iinet.com.au or sotfup@westnet.com.au
Contact details: www.busseltonhalf.com
Vintage Festival
Date: 6th May 2007
Venue: Voyager Estate
Times: 10am to 5pm
The Margaret River Wine region's third annual Vintage Festival is on again this year! The main parade will be held in the noon. The Vintage Stomp, which celebrates the end of the vintage, is a feast of local wine, produce and talent. This year's theme is baesd on another wine region celebrating vintage at this time of year- South Africa, with Zulu dance and drums and children dressed as African animals.
Contact Details: Voyager Estate on 9757 6354
Events June 2007
Knee Deep - Every Long Weekend
Date: Sat 2nd - 4th June 2007
Venue: Knee Deep Wines
Every long weekend in 2007 come and enjoy live music, food and wine, plus giveaways all weekend
Contact Details: For further details see www.kneedeepwines.com.au
Events August 2007
Capes Long Lunch
Date: Sunday 26th August 2007
More Information TBA
Contact Jacquie Happ jacquie@happs.com.au
Events September 2007
Busselton Wildflower Exhibition
Date: Thurs 20th & Fri 21st 2007
Venue: Uniting Church, Kent Street, Busselton
Thursday 20th September 9am to 6pm
Friday 21st September 9am to 5pm
At the Uniting Church, Kent Street - Busselton
Tickets: Pension Card Holders $4, Adults $5 & Children free
Contact Details: Mr. Les Peaker - 9755 8001
Events November 2007
Anaconda Adventure Race
Date: November 2nd & 3rd 2007
More Information TBA
Events December 2007
Iron Man - WA
Date: Sunday 2nd December 2007
Venue: Busselton
More Information TBA
Capes Art Market
Date: Saturday 15th December 2007
Venue: Happs Winery
More Information TBA