Discover Busselton's cultural precinct where creativity lives! Enjoy a visit to this hub for the visual and performing arts housed in beautifully restored heritage-listed buildings on Queen Street, dating back 160 years. Immerse yourself in history as you wander through the Old Courthouse buildings, and surround yourself in art at the ArtGeo Gallery.
The heritage-listed Courthouse complex, is one of the oldest buildings in Busselton and played an important role in its settlement history. Wander through the Courtrooms, Magistrates Room, Bond Store, Police Station, Gaol Cells and Exercise Yard and learn about the colourful law and order history and notorious characters that frequented these buildings. Explore the cold, dark gaol cells and imagine being locked up for 14 days for disorderly conduct in a public place behind one of the heavy wooden doors. Browse the Gift Shop in the Old Courtroom where you'll discover a stunning range of high quality locally crafted art, jewellery, pottery, glasswork, cards, photography and woodwork.
Enjoy a coffee and bite to eat from the Lockup Coffee House either outside in the sunshine or amongst the history and art inside. Heritage Tours run during school holidays, long weekends and special events, please check our website for details.
A visit to the artist in residence studios (which used to be stables) is an absolute must! You can meet the talented artists and see them creating their beautiful pieces.
Across the road you will find the ArtGeo Gallery, which is housed in an elegant neo-classical building dating back to 1938. The gallery plays host to an ever changing exhibition schedule of contemporary Australian artists.
The cultural precinct is also home to the Busselton Art Society, The Weld Theatre and Acting Up Performing Arts. Other highlights are the Merenj Boodja Bush Food Garden and the Busselton Settlement Art Project featuring six life-size bronze sculptures by well-known Western Australian artist Greg James.
ArtGeo has several venues (Gallery, New Courtroom, Fodder Room, Bond Store, Courtyard and Merenj Boodja Garden) available for hire for functions, workshops, exhibitions, performances corporate or private functions. All of the spaces are unique, many of them oozing charm and history.