BUSSELTON, WA

This is a city blessed with a beautiful waterfront and a lively foreshore with beachside cycle paths.

Busselton is more than the gateway to the Margaret River region and its famous 1.8-kilometre-long jetty – which, should be noted, has an excellent underwater observatory accessed by a mini train. Not only is this city blessed with a beautiful waterfront; calm, whitesand beaches; superb whale watching; and a lively foreshore with beachside cycle paths (you can ride all the way to Dunsborough), it’s also a buzzing cultural hub with a great food and wine scene. Some stand-outs include the Artgeo Cultural Complex, a museum and gallery based in the 19thcentury courthouse; the 1936-built Fire Station which is now a small bar with organic and natural wines and beers from local producers; and The Shed (Thursday to Sunday), fresh food markets where you’ll find local cheesemongers, fruit and vegie growers, artisan bakers and the like, as well as a host of food trucks as part of ‘Eat Street’. Busselton also has a bursting calendar of events, which has earned it the title of ‘Events Capital of WA’. Here, some happenings to keep an eye on.

1–4 JUNE: JAZZ BY THE BAY

A diverse line-up of local and international jazz artists play in a variety of venues around the region.

22–26 AUGUST: CINEFESTOZ FILM FESTIVAL

Film screenings and immersive experiences such as red carpet premieres, short film sets, and ‘in conversation’ lunches at local wineries and breweries.

JANUARY 2019: FESTIVAL OF BUSSELTON

A festival of all things fun for all the family: an outdoor cinema, sandcastle competition, log chopping, a pet parade and more.

9–10 FEBRUARY 2019: BUSSELTON JETTY SWIM

Two days of entertainment including free concerts, fun runs and food stalls culminate in the main event: a 3.6-kilometre swim around the jetty.

23 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH 2019: BUSSELTON FRINGE FESTIVAL

This vibrant nine-day event includes a host of talented artists and performers taking to stages across the city. Comedy, cabaret, burlesque, film and family shows are among the many acts.