Busselton Western Australia

Busselton Western Australia

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Busselton is a pretty seaside town that overlooks the crystal clear waters of Geographe Bay and is one of the most popular family holiday spots in Western Australia in the South West. Busselton is 220 kilometres (158 mi) south of Perth on the shores of Geographe Bay.

Busselton is set on the beautiful white sandy beach of Geographe Bay, facing north to the Indian Ocean, these beaches boast calm, sheltered water and, like many of Western Australia's beaches, are refreshingly uncrowded. Dunsborough and Yallingup are a few minutes away as is Margaret River. The HMAS Swan, located in Dunsborough, is a top spot for diving as it is the largest accessible dive wreck in the Southern Hemisphere.

Busselton is a popular tourist destination for Western Australians; in 1999 and 2007 it was voted the state's best tourist destination for the sheltered waters of Geographe Bay and the ideal setting with it's quiet coves, sandy beaches, surrounding national park, nature reserves and scenic walking trails.

Busselton is home to the longest wooden jetty (pier) in the southern hemisphere[7] stretching almost 2 km out to sea. Construction of the jetty began in 1853 and was continually extended until the 1960s when it reached its current length of 1841 metres. It was closed to shipping in 1972, and maintenance was discontinued for a time. It has since been restored, and is now the site of an underwater observatory and an interpretive centre.

Founded in 1832 by the Bussell family, Busselton has been one of the fastest growing regions in Australia in the last decade and has a population of approximately 20,000. Busselton's growth over the past decade has been centered along the shores of Geographe Bay; this has created a narrow urban strip 15 km long and around 1 km wide. The heavy coastal development has led to a shortage of beachside blocks.

Busselton experiences a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa). Residents and visitors enjoy moderate temperatures, with an average maximum temperature of 22°C and a minimum of 11°C. The summers are generally hot (an average daily maximum of 28°) with cooling afternoon sea breezes, and a winter that delivers cooler temperatures (9° min. - 19° max.) and rain that supports diverse agricultural industries, including a world-famous grape-growing region. The annual average rainfall for Busselton is 864 mm, with the wettest period being from May to September.

Busselton has been voted Western Australia's top tourist town three times in 1995, 1996 and 2005. And has a number of high class resorts, bed and breakfasts, back packers, motels and short stay appartments. With an abundance if things to do in the town and its surrounds, it's no wonder why Busselton becomes a hive of activity over the summer months.

Busselton is serviced by Busselton's public bus service run by South West Coach Lines. South west coach lines and Transwa coach services also run service to Dunsbrough and Augusta for connections to other south west towns and Perth.