Affectionately known by locals as “The Pav,” The Busselton Pavilion only celebrated its first birthday in January but this sprawling waterfront venue has already become a go-to for sunset sips by the bay. With indoor and outdoor seating for 500 guests, the relaxed spot delivers classic pub fare – think chicken parmigiana and beer-battered fish and chips – alongside nostalgic comfort foods including roast chicken rolls with mayo and gravy. On tap, you’ll find local sustainable brewery Rocky Ridge’s award-winning draught lager and signature fruity India pale lager, while the cocktail list channels the coast with playful tipples such as the salted peach daiquiri and paloma with a tomato twist.

The heritage-listed Busselton Jetty is one of the region’s most renowned attractions. Built in 1865, it stretches almost two kilometres over the protected waters of Geographe Bay. Yet it’s more than just a scenic spot for snapping a photo or casting a fishing line – it's also home to one of only six underwater observatories in the world. Descend eight metres below the surface into a window-lined chamber and watch as more than 300 marine species flit through Australia’s largest artificial reef. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, seals and seahorses gliding through schools of colourful fish amongst the vibrant coral formations. Just offshore, the Underwater Sculpture Park houses 13 striking works by Western Australian artists – including a bronze mermaid by Cerys Heyring and a seven-metre stingray, Stella, made from 1300 steel pipes, where a resident octopus has moved in – for scuba divers to explore.

Located beside the Vasse River, just a 10-minute drive from Busselton Airport, Timothée Resort is a reimagined ’80s motel where retro vibes meet Mediterranean-inspired coastal charm. Inside its 33 spacious rooms and apartments (the superior twin and superior two-bedroom apartment can accommodate up to four guests) you’ll find playful artworks, plush king-sized beds and a kitchenette equipped with a coffee maker, microwave and toaster. Outside, the heated pool is lined with loungers and striped umbrellas and there’s even a tennis court, communal fire pit and barbecue area onsite. Prefer to leave the work in someone else’s hands? The Curry Port is the property’s inhouse restaurant where you can order authentic Indian classics including tandoori chicken, lamb korma and biryani every night except for Tuesdays.

Come for Obison Coffee Roaster’s Mandurah-roasted brews and Cesco’s Pizzeria’s hand-stretched wood-fired pizza and stay for the live music every Saturday at The Market Bar. Origins Market is a one-stop showcase of the region’s best – from fresh produce and wine to handcrafted pottery and garments. Housed in a giant hall right in the heart of town, it opens Thursday to Sunday with a lively weekend program featuring everything from cider tastings to family friendly activities, which might include a jewellery making workshop or a free scavenger hunt.

Tucked at the base of a new apartment complex in Dunsborough, a 25-minute drive west of Busselton along the coastline, Sora Café is a sleek space filled with natural light and warm neutral hues designed to encourage you to linger longer. Pull up a chair and order a matcha latte with the seasonal mushroom toast – a hearty combination of sautéed mushrooms, creamy stracciatella and dukkah drizzled in olive oil. Alternatively, start your day like a local by ordering something off the secret menu: Daniel’s Egg Sando is a fluffy Japanese-style egg sandwich packed with soft scrambled eggs, melted cheese and a hint of chipotle mayo. It’s technically shareable – but one bite in and you’ll be glad you didn’t.

When you’re craving something sweet, look for the bright orange building on Busselton’s Marine Terrace. Little Otto’s Big Choc Shop isn’t your average lolly store – it’s more like a peek into Willy Wonka’s factory with warm chocolate on tap and fresh gelato in shades as bright as Violet Beauregarde. Everything here is made onsite, with free samples to tempt you and bestsellers packed in colourful wrappers to take home. Treats span crowd-pleasing nut brittle and rocky road to more innovative chocolate-coated snakes and their signature cherry and coconut dark chocolate bar.

While you can step into the region's agricultural and maritime past at Busselton Museum, set within the one-hectare Old Butter Factory Precinct, the region’s creative future is just as exciting. The coastal town was chosen as the site for Triple J’s One Night Stand in 2025, local musicians were given the national spotlight and that momentum is only expected to continue with the launch of Saltwater Busselton, a state-of-the-art performing arts and convention centre opening soon. Stop by for a stand-up comedy show or theatre performance and check out the rotating line-up of exhibitions at the in-house Saltwater Gallery. Or wander around town to find vibrant murals splashed across charming laneways – a taste of the local arts scene.

With a toasty fireplace, low leather couches, exposed steel beams and vinyl spinning on the turntable, Strange Brew Wine Bar feels like stepping inside an industrial-chic warehouse loft. The latest venture from the team behind Skigh Wine, this moody spot hosts some of the region’s best DJs and live musicians on Sundays – and it’s an easy 30-minute drive from Busselton on the way to the Margaret River region. Settle in to graze on a charcuterie board while sipping Skigh Wine’s ELSIE cabernet sauvignon (they’re known for being pioneers in the local lo-fi and natural wine scene) before heading further afield.