Busselton Things to Do

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The Underwater Observatory opened in 2003 and is a very unusual place at the end of a 1.8metre jetty. The observatory descends 8metres below the water’s surface and provides viewing of amazing corals and fish life. There are 11 viewing windows and only up to 40 people can be accommodated at any one time. There is an elevator for wheelchairs or physically disabled.

The Busselton Jetty has been described as the greatest artificial reef and there are more than 300 individual marine species, sub-tropical corals, sponges and fish living in this environment. There is an admission but it is also inclusive of the train ride and jetty entrance.

Open : Summer (Dec-Apr) 8am - 5pm

Just across from the Visitors centre is St Marys Church of England. The church was built in 1844-45 and is supposed to be the oldest stone church in Western Australia. The church was not consecrated until 1848 and the congregation was slow. It was another 10 years before a resident clergyman could be attracted to the town. Around the back of the church are gravestones which date back to 1841 which was before the church was built.

The jetty train was the first railway in Western Australia was located just a few kilometres east of the Busselton Jetty. Visitors today can experience a part of history with a unique "overseas" train journey. From 1995 the Jetty Train has carried nearly 200,000 passengers. It travels the length of the jetty to Underwater Observatory. The ride is available daily and departs from 10.00am - 3.00pm

This entertainment world also offers mini jeeps and a merry –go-round. There are Jungle Bungles, indoor playground which features a maze of tunnels and slides and a ball pond. Or you could test yourself on an 18 hole mini golf course or drive a racecar on a cambered track.

Entry is free but rides do charge on the token scheme – the more you have, the more bonuses you get.

Open Daily.

The Observatory at the far end of the jetty allows a glance into the world underwater.
Visitors can escend eight metres below sea level and look through the observation chamber to see an artificial reef with colourful fish and tropical coral.

Unfortunately the observatory was closed the day we came due to bad weather and limited visibility.

Remember to buy tickets for the observatory at the cash desk at the beginning of the jetty before walking the 2 kilometers. There are no tickets sold out there at the observatory itself.

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Opened in December 2003, 1.8km at the end of the Jetty and 8m below the water is what has been described as the world's greatest artificial reef.

It was great to see the fish, coral and starfish, very colourful and vibrant. At $22 for adults, it was quite expensive for what was on offer, however given the history of the Busselton Jetty, I considered it a donation for the cost of repairing it.

My hint: try and pick a quiet day when there are no kids around.

For further details about times, check the website.

The old courthouse is now the home of the Busselton Arts Council. Featured is the 'Days of Grace Gallery', a bookshop selling craft and pantry items, an information centre, and studios where you will see local artists working on a variety of their crafts.

The old Butter Factory was built in 1918 and is now a folk museum. The rooms within are still called by their original butter factory names, like ?The Church Room?, ?The Cream Holding Room?, ?The Cream Tipping and Washing Room?. The museums displays a comprehensive history of the local area with extensive displays of memorabilia. There is a small country school on the grounds as well.