If a tranquil seaside town surrounded by vineyards sounds like an appealing place to take a break, you won’t be disappointed with the shire of Busselton. This shire actually contains three gorgeous seaside towns: Busselton, Dunsborough and Yallingup, and has beaches for everyone; surf, secluded romantic beaches and sheltered bays which are perfect for kids.
But if you’re after more than gorgeous beaches and sunshine, you’ll also find a unique marine observatory, friendly locals, some of the best wine in Australia, and gourmet food to enjoy with it. You’ll also find nature at its mightiest with the many different whales that swim into the region each year.
Marine life:
The Busselton Jetty is the longest wooden jetty in the world, stretching out nearly two kilometres from the shore. It’s so long that throughout the year, a train is available to take you to the end of it! (At time of writing – the train is out of service, but check Jetty Train before you travel to see if it is running again). If you walk along the full length of the jetty, you will be treated to an under-water observatory which can hold up to 40 people at a time. This is a great way to see all of the colourful fish without getting wet. The observatory is like no other in Australia – it plunges down 8 metres, and then offers a round room with glass at varying levels to allow you to view some of the 300 marine species around the jetty. The jetty itself has become an artificial reef, and is now home to many plants, coral and fish.
For those who prefer to get up close and personal with the marine life, the Busselton Jetty is an exceptional diving spot. By having the jetty jut out so far, divers can easily get right into the action without the need to charter a boat. There are plenty of dive operators in the shire who would be happy to rent you gear, and take you out on diving tours.
If you’re in the region between June and December, keep your eyes out for Humpback, Pygmy, Blue and Southern Right whales around Geographe Bay. If you need a porpoise to visit, there are also plenty of bottle-nose dolphins in the area. An excellent place to view whales is the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse near Dunsborough, or you can book one of several whale-watching tours.
Beautiful beaches:
If you want a rough ride on a surfboard, the beaches at Yallingup are home to world-class surfing competitions. The beaches here are not for weak swimmers – be sure to bring a surfing buddy and get plenty of practice before you attempt these waves!
Calmer waters are easily found in Dunsborough and Busselton, where the beaches are perfect for families and anyone wanting a gentle swim from a sandy beach. The waters here are very sheltered and suited to swimmers of all levels.
Be sure to check out Meelup Regional Park, near Dunsborough. It has a lovely sandy beach which is perfect for picnics and calm swims, but it is also surrounded by parkland complete with wildflowers and birds in a backdrop of gorgeous coastal scenery.
Gateway to the Margaret River wine region
Australia makes some of the best wine in the world, and although Margaret River produces only 2% of Australia’s wine, it produces 20% of Australia’s premium wine market. Busselton Shire is an excellent base for exploring the various vineyards, participating in wine-tasting tours, and dining in establishments with food worthy of the wine they serve. Check out the huge list of wineries in the region, and be sure to book a tour of your favourites, and some new ones you’d like to sample.
When to go
These towns are lovely at any time of the year, but to make the most of the beaches – autumn, spring and summer are best.
How to get there
Busselton Shire is a two-hour drive from Perth, which is serviced by the country’s major airlines as well as trains and buses. It’s a good idea to have a car while visiting the region, to ensure you can get out to the wineries and beaches. However if that isn’t an option, there are regular bus services from Perth, and plenty of tours to take you around the vineyards.
Accommodation
Relax in a private beachfront chalet with all the amenities of a resort, or enjoy the hospitality of a friendly bed and breakfast or all-inclusive guesthouse.
These options and more are available in Take A Break’s Busselton accommodation listings,
Yallingup accommodation listings, and Dunsborough accommodation listings.
Ideal length of visit
The region is perfect for romantic weekend getaways, fun family short breaks, or a week of relaxation and indulgence.
Further information
Check out the Busselton Shire website for more ideas about how you can take your perfect break in the region.
About the Author - Kylie-Jane Degeling
Is a freelance writer who has lived in Adelaide,Yulara (Uluru), Alice Springs and Canberra, as well as five different countries throughout the world. After backpacking around Australia, she worked as a tour guide in Central Australia, before training for her Commercial Pilot License and working as a flight instructor, scenic flight and charter pilot. She later worked as a travelling IT trainer for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which involved spending time in each of their 16 District Offices around the country on a frequent rotating basis.
Having experienced Australia as a backpacker, tour guide, pilot and business traveler, Kylie now enjoys family holidays with her husband Alex and children Jezzy and Jordan. She says, “I have been lucky to see Australia from a variety of perspectives, and as a travel writer can use this experience to inspire others to find holidays they would enjoy.”
Kylie currently works as a travel writer in addition to being a government writer and columnist for two parenting magazines.
Kylie Jane Degeling wrote this article
