The much-loved Ballaarat locomotive is the oldest Australian-built steam locomotive still extant and the first steam engine to operate in Western Australia. It was built in Ballarat, Victoria and named after the town using the original spelling. The engine was commissioned by the Western Australian Timber Company (WATC) which had been awarded a milling concession by the Colony's governor. The Ballaarat arrived by ship to the Lockeville Jetty in Wonnerup in 1871. It hauled timber 19 kilometres in the Jarrahwood State Forest until the mill closed in 1887.
The Ballaarat has a colourful history. Burnt in a shed and left in a paddock, donated to the Council who donated it to the Western Australian Museum around 1924. The Museum received it but found it too big to move and too expensive to restore, so it was sent to the Western Australian Government Rail Yards. In 1929, it featured in the State Centenary Parade before returning to the Midland railyards. The Busselton community lobbied for its return and after three years, it was sent home and installed in Victoria Square in 1937.
In 2012, it was disassembled and lovingly put back together taking over 550 volunteer hours, local business support and grants.
In 2024, a 3D model of the engine was developed alongside stories and information. Please find more information on the website.
Located on the Busselton Foreshore and adjacent to the Busselton Jetty, Railway House is home to the Busselton Visitor Centre and the over 150-year-old and beautifully restored Ballaarat Steam Engine.
Nearby is the northern terminus of the Wadandi Track, stretching from Busselton via Cowaramup and Margaret River to Augusta (sections still to be completed).
Built in 1894, the original Busselton Railway Station was located in Stanley Street, Busselton, it served the community for over 90 years before being decommissioned. In 1987 the station was relocated to the public open space at the town's entrance. It was later moved to the Busselton Foreshore in 2016 and skillfully incorporated into what is now known as today's "Railway House". Here you will enjoy stories of Busselton's past and present.
Step into a vibrant marketplace in Busselton where the South West's finest makers, growers, and artisans come together. Origins Market celebrates creativity, community, and connection.
More than just a market, Origins is an experience. Shop for weekly essentials, browse handcrafted treasures, explore art collections, and enjoy free tastings. Hungry? Take your pick from a variety of eateries featuring cuisines from around the world, all under one roof.
Spanning an impressive 3,000 square metres, Origins Market has something for everyone. It's a spot to relax with friends, catch up with family, or connect with the community over coffee, lunch, or drinks at our licensed bar. The market's all-weather venue is family-friendly, featuring a kids' playground and even an onsite beehive for a touch of nature.
With workshops, events, and a unique space that merges production with consumption, Origins Market is Busselton's ultimate gathering place for fun, food, and local flavour.
Busselton Jetty is a must-see when in Busselton, and at 1.841 kilometres long, it's the longest tourist jetty in the southern hemisphere and the second longest in the world! This remarkable attraction can be enjoyed by young and old alike and caters to visitors needing assistance and accessible facilities.
Stroll or take a ride on the solar-powered Jetty Train over the Indian Ocean to the Underwater Observatory, one of only six in the world!
Experienced guides lead you through the natural wonders that lie beneath the Jetty, where the piles create Australia's greatest artificial reef. This reef hosts an awe-inspiring 'forest' of vividly coloured tropical and sub-tropical corals, sponges, fish, and invertebrates.
Descend eight metres beneath the water's surface to view more than 300 individual marine species in their natural habitat through 11 viewing windows at various levels!
While at the end of the Jetty, explore the Underwater Sculpture Park's 13 incredible sculptures made by talented artists from around the state! If getting in the water isn't for you, scan the QR codes found on the balustrade above each sculpture to view photos, videos, and information.
Onshore the Marine Discovery Centre beckons visitors of all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in the wonders of marine life. With 30-minute self-guided tours, interactive displays, and immersive experiences, the MDC promises an unforgettable voyage into our oceans.
Dive into the wonders of the ocean at the Marine Discovery Centre, an engaging destination perfect for all ages and abilities. This self-paced, interactive experience invites you to explore the mysteries of marine life and the Southwest's diverse underwater ecosystems in a way that's both educational and fun. Discover the depths of the Perth Canyon while driving a remote operating submarine, learn about the marine life that lives in each of the Southwest's offshore marine parks on the central interactive table and find out what plastic looks like in a turtle's mouth, all while being immersed in whale song and incredible marine life videos. Each exhibit reveals a new marvel to spark your curiosity.
Families can bond over engaging activities, teens and adults can deepen their knowledge of marine science and kids can let their imaginations roam beneath the waves. With an experienced marine specialist available to answer your questions, the Marine Discovery Centre promises an immersive and enriching experience. Set aside 30 minutes to wander through this vibrant space, where learning meets adventure and the secrets of the sea come alive before your eyes.
Book your adventure today and dive into a sea of discovery.
Aquatastic is Australia's largest inflatable floating Water Park located on the Busselton Foreshore, 200 metres west of the Busselton Jetty.
This inflatable outdoor water park is guaranteed fun for the young and young at heart, with a huge range of slides to slip down and structures to climb and dive from. Climb the Ice Berg, complete the obstacle course, enjoy the gigantic slide or climb the highest rock climbing wall in the southern hemisphere and the best air jumping extreme.
Aquatastic provides life jackets and it's recommended for all users of the water park to wear their life jackets on the water park at all times.
Aquatastic is open for the summer period. Please visit their website for more details.
Vasse-Wonnerup Estuary is one of 12 Ramsar Nature Reserve wetland sites in Western Australia. Recognised as "Wetlands of International Importance", the Vasse-Wonnerup Estuary is on the wish-list for many birdwatchers, with a walk trail and hide offering opportunities to view some 75 species of native, nomadic and migrating birds, several of which are extremely rare.
The wetlands lie just to the northeast of Busselton, a 2.5 hour drive or a 50 minute flight south from Perth. The bird hide is situated on the southern side of the wetlands, accessed from Layman Road.
Visit in spring and you’ll find cygnets and ducklings on the water, but it’s in summer that the wetlands are at their vibrant best, with more than 30,000 migratory birds arriving en masse.
Explore the wetland’s open waters, sheltered bays, marshlands and shorelines, surrounded by flooded pastures, native bush and stands of paperbark trees. Spot everything from sharp-tailed sandpipers, greenshanks and plovers, to long-toed stints, egrets, spoonbills, herons, ducks, swans, coots, stilts, avocets, cormorants. You may even glimpse swamp harriers, kites, eagles and osprey passing overhead.
Nearby, you’ll also find one of the largest ibis breeding colonies in Western Australia, while to the south lies the world’s last great tuart forest, home to parrots, possums, bandicoots and kangaroos.
The picturesque Busselton Beachfront is home to the longest timber pier in the Southern Hemisphere, Busselton Jetty. The beachfront has a vast array of attractions to keep you entertained. Visit the Interpretive Centre at the shore end of the jetty for an insight into Busselton Jetty’s history or make the 1.8 kilometre walk down the jetty to the spectacular underwater observatory. It is a unique experience not to be missed.
For scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, the Busselton Jetty is regarded as Australia’s best artificial reef and is an impressive sight to see. Fishermen will love the novelty of being able to fish 1,800 metres out to sea without having to take out a boat.
If time permits let your hair down at the entertainment park and waterslide next to the jetty, take a dip in the crystal blue calm ocean and enjoy a meal or snack at one of the highly regarded restaurants on the beachfront.
Busselton is located just 2.5 hours drive south of Perth.
Vasse Village by Bunbury Farmers Market brings extreme value and extreme freshness to locals and visitors to Vasse and the South West region. Offering a wide variety of fresh produce from 150 local growers, chef-prepared meals, gourmet cheeses, bakery treats, and so much more, their market is a must-visit for food lovers.
With dining options like pizzas, burgers, and daily carvery lunches, plus a playground and dog park, they're the perfect stop for families and travellers.
Whether you're stocking up for your holiday or simply craving a coffee on the go, you'll find everything you need and more at Vasse Village.
Forest Adventures, nestled in the towering trees of Ludlow Tuart Forest north of Busselton, offers adrenaline-filled fun for families, friends, and adventure seekers of all ages. Blending the best of the South West's supreme natural environment and world-class European standards for safety and design, Forest Adventures is one of Australia's most exciting outdoor adventure parks.
Climb, swing, balance and soar through six unique high-ropes courses, including 15 flying foxes, one stretching over 150 metres! There's something for every level of adrenaline and fitness, so everyone can create an unforgettable experience high above the forest floor.
Your session begins with harnessing, safety training, and a practice course before progressing to one of our main courses. Courses vary in height and difficulty, from 3 to 19 metres, allowing you to progress at your own pace. Build confidence on the beginner courses and tackle the Advanced and Adrenaline courses.
Set across eight acres of unspoiled bushland, immerse yourself in native flora and fauna as you swing through the trees. Elevated platforms and expansive ziplines enhance the adventure while offering spectacular views of the forest canopy. Test your limits, experience the thrill, and plan a visit to Forest Adventures for an unforgettable day of outdoor excitement.
The Movement Fitness & Wellbeing is a premium health and wellness destination in the heart of Dunsborough, offering visitors the opportunity to stay active, recover and feel their best while exploring the South West.
Visitors are welcome to join a wide range of group fitness classes, access the premium 24-hour gym, book personal training sessions, or unwind in the Recovery Club featuring a traditional sauna and ice bath.
Whether you're looking to maintain your training routine, recover after a day of surfing or hiking, or simply experience a welcoming local fitness community, The Movement has flexible casual and short-term options to suit your stay.
With experienced coaches, modern facilities and a friendly atmosphere, The Movement Fitness & Wellbeing is the perfect place to move, recover and recharge while visiting Dunsborough.
Dunsborough is home to one of the largest accessible dive wrecks in the Southern Hemisphere, the former HMAS Swan.
The 113-metre-long decommissioned naval destroyer was scuttled in Geographe Bay off Dunsborough in 1997 and since then has become one of the most popular dive wreck sites in Australia.
Sitting in 35 metres of water and with a slight list, HMAS Swan Dive Wreck is truly a spectacular site. All kinds of fish and marine animals have made the wreck their home. See schools of bull's eye fish in many of the ship’s rooms, while King George whiting and brim swim around the hull. Samson fish, blue devil and sweep are also commonly seen.
HMAS Swan Dive Wreck is about a 15-minute boat ride out to sea from Meelup Beach. A number of commercial operators offer dive tours to the Swan Dive Wreck. You can also dive the Swan from a private boat by obtaining an access permit from the Dunsborough Visitor Centre.
Dunsborough is about a three-hour drive south of Perth.
