Fish and Chips on the Beach Credit Ryan Murphy

4 Day Family Holiday in Busselton

Now accessible via direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney with Jetstar, Busselton is a vibrant beach town situated on the shores of Geographe Bay. Busselton has all of the ingredients needed for an unforgettable family holiday, and our locals can’t wait to show you around.

Families will love the pristine Foreshore area, with its kid-friendly activities, iconic Jetty and pristine sandy beach. Venture beyond this to uncover rich seams of heritage and history, boutique shopping and a bustling café and restaurant scene.

Busselton is dubbed the ‘events capital’ of Western Australia, and whenever you choose to visit, it’s easy to see why. Every week you can expect something different on the calendar, with world renowned sporting events, film festivals, foodie feasts and more hosted throughout the year.

Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks – Busselton

By the beach and close to town, Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks offers a range of accommodation options perfect for family and friends. Looking for comfort? Try the park’s self-contained bungalows, villas, chalets and cabins. After more of an ‘outdoors’ experience? There’s plenty of camping and caravanning sites available, alongside modern facilities and one of the best kids’ play zones in the region (giant jumping pillow, anyone?).

Aqua Resort

Beachfront accommodation, plus your own private plunge pool? Get it all at Aqua Resort, just a short drive away from the centre of Busselton. Aqua’s luxurious beach houses are fully self-contained, making them a great choice for visitors who plan on occasionally dining in. Opt for the Bay Beach Houses and you’ll get a view that won’t disappoint.

Abbey Beach Resort

With an indoor heated pool, tennis courts, squash court, sauna, gym, children’s playground, onsite restaurants and bars, and great accommodation options with two & three bedroom apartments, Abbey Beach Resort is ideal for families and couples seeking a bit of R&R. The direct beach access allows you to enjoy the stunning coastline of Geographe Bay from your doorstep.

Private Properties – Out Of The Blue

If you’re after the creature comforts of your own private space, why not give Private Properties’ Out Of The Blue a try? This spacious two-storey home is absolute beachfront, with ocean views from almost every room. With plenty of outdoor furniture, it’s easy to pull up a chair post-swim and relax the rest of the day away.

Morning

Busselton Jetty Train

Start the morning seaside, with breakfast at the Equinox. With sweeping views of Geographe Bay, it’s a great spot to enjoy a bite by the jetty. Think vego breakfast bowls, Belgian waffles and big breakfasts with a great selection of meals for the little ones.

Did you know the Busselton Jetty is the longest wooden-piled jetty in the world, measuring 1.8km? We think that makes it an ideal place to walk off that breakfast burrito or smashed avo on toast. Alternatively, hop on the jetty’s red electric train, which will take you to the underwater observatory located right at the end of the pier. It’s here you can head 8m below sea level and explore an underwater world full of colourful corals, inquisitive fish and the occasional mermaid or two. While you’re at the end of the Jetty, explore the incredible new Underwater Sculpture Park that includes 13 Underwater Sculptures made by 12 local Western Australian artists. These new additions to the Diving & Snorkelling experience at the end of the Jetty are forming an Artificial Reef and increase marine habitats beneath the Jetty.

Lunch/Afternoon

Busselton Skate Park

What’s the point of being seaside if you don’t go for a dip? The Busselton Foreshore offers up what seems like an endless stretch of white sandy beach, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to a swimming spot all to yourself. Jump into the shallow, still waters and be sure to keep your eyes open for frolicking dolphins swimming up and down the bay.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUPing) is one of the most fun things you can do with the family, and SUP Life Busselton has everything you need. Private and family lessons are available with an accredited coach, or you can rent boards and go exploring on the water.

Once back on dry land, relax in the shade while the kids enjoy the shipwreck adventure playground, complete with half-sunken ship and a kraken. You can also grab the boards, bikes or scooters and give the Busselton Skatepark a go.

Evening

Inside aerial photo of Shelter Brewing Co. Photo: Stephen Norman

Occupying prime real-estate overlooking the iconic Busselton Jetty is the brewpub, Shelter Brewing Co. A popular hangout with locals and visitors, it’s the perfect spot to wash away the salt of the day with a beer and a big feed in the beer garden. There is a thriving calendar of gigs and entertainment throughout the year, along with a vintage inspired caravan playground to keep little ones entertained.

All Day

Forest Adventures Busselton Credit Tim Campbell

Start this adventure-packed day with a beachfront breakfast at The Goose Beach Bar + Kitchen. This insta-worthy restaurant offers up some tantalising brekkie options for all the family, with the kids’ menu featuring favourites such as pancakes, maple toasted muesli and a brekkie burger.

Once you’re fuelled up, take a drive to the Tuart Forest National Park – the home to one of only a handful of remaining natural Tuart forest in the entire world. It’s here you’ll find obstacle adventure course Forest Adventures. Not for the faint-hearted, Forest Adventures is a challenge for both big and little kids aged 7+. Climb up towering Tuart trees, manoeuvre through unique obstacles set 20m above ground and fly through the forest canopy on zip lines, before doing it all over again.

After your morning aerobics session, re-energise at Origins Market, a vibrant community hub showcasing Western Australian creatives, growers and artisans. More than a market, it’s a constantly evolving, ever-changing space to learn new skills or relax over a coffee, craft beer or wine and enjoy an array of ridiculously tasty street food.

Afternoon/Evening

Amelia Park Lodge Tavern Vasse

From Origins, take a stroll along Queen Street and browse the boutiques and homeware stores to find a unique memento of your trip.

End the day with a tasty bevvie (or two) at the Amelia Park Lodge. Grab dinner from the pub, or pop next door to the restaurant for something a little bit more special.

Breakfast options are aplenty in Busselton, but for the sweet- and savoury-toothed, Bistro Breton cannot be missed. Offering traditional-style crepes, homemade milkshakes and French finesse, it’s a winner for everyone. In a hurry? They do takeaway, too.

Today is a day for everyone in the family to learn something new, with the self-guided Busselton Heritage Trail. You’ll encounter the fascinating history of the timber industry associated with the Busselton Jetty, along with the Ballaarat engine housed at Railway House with the Visitor Centre, which was the first railway steam engine manufactured in the southern hemisphere and the first locomotive to operate in WA.

At the Cultural Precinct you’ll find restored heritage-listed buildings dating back 160 years. Immerse yourself in history as you wander through the Old Courthouse buildings and gaol cells.

Step back in time at the Busselton Museum, which is home to a fully restored group settlement house, a 1920s school, and other historical memorabilia in the building of an Old Butter Factory.

Evening

Take a short drive from the town centre and you will find a buzzing little local favourite, Ooze & Tang. This independent Modern Australian French Bistro is dedicated to seriously delicious food and drinks and sharing genuine, heartfelt hospitality.

Morning/Afternoon

Venture beyond the town centre today, and you’ll realise that you’ve still only scratched the surface when it comes to your Busselton adventure.

Venture inland for 15 minutes and you’ll be rewarded with a visit to Hippo Lakes. Situated on 30 acres of land and lake, is a family-owned cafe, farm shop and events venue overlooking magnificent gardens.

A little further down the road you will find Whicher Ridge Wines. The winery has established a unique Wine Sensory Garden, featuring plantings of fruit trees, herbs, flowers and seasonal vegetables which describe and match the flavours, textures and styles of their wines. Book an immersive Pick + Sip experience and you’ll get to spend time with the winemaker, Cathy Howard.

 

Evening

End your stay back in town with a visit to Busselton Pavilion, which is new to the Busselton dining scene and is already making waves with its relaxed gastro pub style, featuring a classic menu with an innovative twist and a side serve of Down South. Local seafood and produce are the heroes here, and there’s something special for the little ones, too.

11.09.2021