17 Can’t Miss Hidden Gems in Busselton

Australia Busselton Hidden Gems Western Australia
Robbie Vai Author: Robbie Vai
Clock Icon 9 minutes read
Update Icon Nov 23, 2024

The scenic coastal city of Busselton is one of Western Australia’s most beloved vacation spots. Known for its pristine sandy beaches, award-winning wineries, and wildlife-rich forests and waterways, this area has no shortage of fun things to do.

Some of its most popular tourist attractions, such as the famous Busselton Jetty and the thrilling high ropes course at Forest Adventures, attract busy crowds in the high season. If you’re someone who prefers to wander off the beaten path and seek out quieter attractions, you’re bound to find something interesting on this list of 17 hidden gems in Busselton.

1. Underwater Sculpture Park

Many people flock to Busselton Jetty, which is famed for being the Southern Hemisphere’s longest timber-piled jetty. Right at the end of the jetty is the popular Underwater Observatory, but you might be surprised to learn about another fascinating attraction in Geographe Bay’s turquoise waters — the Underwater Sculpture Park.

A collection of 13 sculptures crafted by Western Australian artists are anchored eight meters below the surface. Swim, dive, or snorkel to admire the sculptures and the corals that grow on their surface. Alternatively, ride the Jetty Train to the Underwater Observatory and look out for the sculptures as you admire the marine life from the observation chamber.

2. Aquatastic

  • Website: aquatastic.com.au
  • Address: 3L Queen St, Busselton, WA
  • Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily throughout summer

Aquatastic, the biggest inflatable water park in Australia, lies on Busselton Foreshore, which is considered to be the beating heart of the city. It has a huge range of slides, structures, and obstacles to tackle, including a rock climbing wall. There are also aqua bikes available to hire, which let you glide across the waters of Geographe Bay and admire the coastline.

3. Whicher Ridge Wine Sensory Garden

  • Website: whicherridge.com.au
  • Address: 200 Chapman Hill E Rd, Chapman Hill, WA
  • Opening hours: 12 pm – 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday

Whicher Ridge is one of many popular wineries in the Margaret River Wine Region, but what makes its cellar door experience unique is that it has a Wine Sensory Garden that provides a truly immersive wine-tasting experience.

Each wine has its own “descriptor bed” in which fruit trees, herbs, and flowers serve to describe the wine’s flavors and aroma. Besides that, there is an “affinity bed” in which you’ll discover fruits, vegetables, and herbs that pair particularly well with wine. You can take a self-guided wander around the garden or book a Pick and Sip Wine Tour to get the most out of the experience.

4. Origins Market

  • Website: originsmarket.com.au
  • Address: 86 West St, Busselton, WA
  • Opening hours: 7 am – 9 pm Thursday, Friday & Saturday / 7 am – 6 pm Sunday

Origins Market is where some of Western Australia’s very best growers, makers, and creatives showcase their wares. This community hub is great for discovering tasty local ingredients and produce, so make the most of your visit and go when you’re hungry.

5. Vasse Virgin’s Cosmetics Workshops

Vasse Virgin is a cosmetics producer specializing in crafting nourishing products with extra virgin olive oil. They host fascinating workshops where you can learn the basics of creating natural cosmetic products such as lip balms and perfumes. You can tailor your balm or fragrance to suit your tastes and leave with a unique product that makes a wonderful gift or souvenir.

6. Hamelin Bay

Photo Credit: Adwo

Hamelin Bay is a one-hour road trip south of Busselton and is considered one of the best places in Western Australia to see stingrays. The rays are wild but content to coexist with humans, so wade out into the waters for a chance to interact with them. If you’re a confident swimmer, you could snorkel instead to discover the host of marine life and old shipwrecks hidden beneath the water’s surface.

7. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Photo Credit: sasimoto

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is one of Busselton’s best-known attractions, but Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is equally fascinating. A guided tour lets you learn about the lighthouse’s construction from local limestone in 1895. It also gives you the opportunity to climb to the top of the tower for epic views of the rugged coastline.

Cape Leeuwin lies some 65 miles south of Busselton, but it’s well worth a day trip. You can drop into nearby Augusta and the Jewel Cave along the way.

8. Margaret River Climbing Co.

Margaret River Climbing Co. offers a variety of adrenaline-pumping ways to appreciate the sea cliffs of Wilyabrup and the hidden caves in Boranup Forest. Rock climbing and abseiling will give you epic views of the stunning coastline, and caving will let you appreciate the natural beauty of the magical crystal-studded chambers hidden in the forest.

9. Busselton’s Possum Spotlighting Trail

Photo Credit: keppet via Flickr CC 2.0

If you’re a fan of wildlife, you’ll love walking on the Possum Spotlighting Trail at night. It’s an easy one-mile route that’s renowned for its high population of brushtail and water ringtail possums. You might also get the chance to see kangaroos, bandicoots, and woylies. Be sure to bring a torch to navigate through the towering trees of the Tuart Forest.

10. Cape to Cape Track

Photo Credit: Leanne Irwin

The 84-mile Cape to Cape Track runs from Cape Naturaliste down to Cape Leeuwin in the southwest. It can be tackled in just five days if you’re willing to do full-day walks or nine days if you’d rather adopt a leisurely pace.

You’ll see a variety of wildlife as you traverse forests, woodlands, clifftops, beaches, and limestone hills. If you’re not up for such a long walk, there are plenty of places to pick up the trail for short, scenic walks instead. Choose coastal stretches of the track for a chance to see humpback and southern right whales during the spring.

11. South West Craft Beer Festival

Photo Credit: Stephen Whitely via Flickr CC 2.0

  • Website: swbeerfest.com.au
  • Address: Signal Park, Busselton, WA
  • Opening hours: Vary each year

Busselton Foreshore’s Signal Park hosts the South West Craft Beer Festival once per year in the spring. Don’t miss it if you happen to visit while it runs. There’s a wide range of craft brews on offer from fantastic local breweries such as Rocky Ridge, Shelter Brewing Co., and Margaret River Brewhouse. Plus, you can expect tasty food, fun live entertainment, and awesome DJ sets.

12. Sunflowers Animal Farm

  • Website: sunflowersfarm.com
  • Address: 129 Ludlow-Hithergreen Rd, Ludlow, WA
  • Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily

Sunflowers Animal Farm is one of the region’s best family-friendly spots, and it’s an easy 10-minute drive from Busselton. It’s an interactive petting farm where the kids can hang out with the likes of llamas, emus, kangaroos, goats, pigs, ponies, and many more critters. There are even opportunities to bottle-feed some orphaned baby animals.

13. Discover Deadly

  • Website: discoverdeadly.com.au
  • Address: 10 Wildwood Rd, Carbunup River, WA
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm Monday, Wednesday to Sunday

Discover Deadline is a reptile education center that lets visitors get a safe, close-up look at some of Australia’s most terrifying native species. You’ll get the chance to see venomous snakes and massive crocodiles, but only from a safe distance. There are also opportunities to feed and handle some of the friendlier species while learning about their role in the Australian ecosystem.

14. Injidup Natural Spa

Photo Credit: Emma Jones

Yallingup is one of the best places in the Margaret River Region for surfers, thanks to its awesome and consistent breaks. The crashing waves are also responsible for the unique Injidup Natural Spa, which is like nature’s own relaxing whirlpool tub.

This large rockpool offers a calm oasis where you can relax, but when the swell is high, the water crashes up against the side of the rocks and cascades down into the rockpool like a waterfall. You can sit underneath the waterfall for a free massage or simply lounge in the calmer waters and admire the beautiful setting.

15. Fig Tree Lane

Fig Tree Lane is the best place in Busselton to shop for souvenirs because it’s home to 25 boutiques, specialty stores, cafes, and beauty salons. It’s a cute covered mall that runs between Kent Street and Prince Street, and it lies just 10 minutes away from Busselton Foreshore on foot.

Here, you’ll find clothes, beauty products, jewelry, books, toys, food, and homewares all in one place. The surrounding area has even more shops and plenty of eateries, so you can enjoy a few hours of retail therapy followed by refueling with a coffee or a bite to eat.

16. Meelup Regional Park

  • Website: meeluppark.com
  • Address: Meelup Beach Rd, Dunsborough, WA
  • Opening hours: 24/7

Meelup Regional Park is an incredibly beautiful setting for hiking and biking. Its landscape boasts remote beaches, rugged granite headlands, and natural bushland with the likes of grass trees and eucalyptus. The park is incredibly biodiverse, so take binoculars to help you spot wildlife. While you’re in the area, drop into the town of Dunsborough to take a whale-watching tour.

17. Merenj Boodja Bush Garden

The Merenj Boodja Bush Garden is part of the Old Courthouse in Busselton Cultural Precinct. It’s a community garden planted with native bush food plants that represent the six seasons recognized by the region’s Aboriginal Noongar people. The garden was created to serve as a place of remembrance for Aboriginal people and a symbol of reconciliation between the Noongar community and European settlers.

Discover More Gems During Your Busselton Getaway

Busselton and the wider Margaret River Region have lots of fantastic attractions on offer, and you can discover more of them once you start exploring. Be sure to travel far and wide to appreciate all that this scenic stretch of Western Australia has to offer.

Robbie Vai
Author: Robbie Vai
Our journal features a diverse group of travel enthusiasts who are passionate about exploring the world and sharing their experiences. From solo adventurers to family vacationers, our team of writers offers unique perspectives and insightful tips to help inspire and guide your next adventure. Whether it's discovering hidden gems off the beaten path or indulging in luxurious getaways, we're here to help you make the most of your travels. Robbie is an amalgam of these writers.
EXPLORE THE WORLD THROUGH STORIES.

Travel with us and discover the best destinations to create lasting memories.

icon
Experience diverse cultures and top destinations that cater to all travel needs.
icon
Explore and learn the traditions and histories of incredible places.
icon
Find hidden gems and create life-changing moments with your loved ones.
icon
Meet fellow travelers while enjoying exciting and stress-free holidays.
images