Busselton is a city in the South West region of the state of Western Australia approximately 220 km (140 mi) south-west of Perth.

Busselton has a long history as a popular holiday destination for Western Australians; however, the closure of the Busselton Port in 1972 and the contemporaneous establishment of the nearby Margaret River wine region have seen tourism become the dominant source of investment and development, supplemented by services and retail.

Before white settlement in 1832, and for at least 40,000 years, the Busselton area was home to the Noongar Aboriginal people from the Wardandi and Bibulman language/ancestral groups.

Many towns in the Busselton area, such as Wonnerup, Yallingup and Carbunup River, still hold their original Noongar names.

[4] The early history of European exploration of the Busselton area focused on the French expedition of 1801 which brought Nicholas Baudin, with his ships Géographe and Naturaliste, to the coast of Western Australia.

It was first settled by the Bussell family, George Layman, and the Chapman brothers, who relocated there from their location on the Blackwood River.

John Garrett Bussell first visited Busselton in December 1831, describing the land as follows: "The country as we advanced improved rapidly; the ground on which we trod was a vivid green, unsullied with burnt sticks and blackened grass trees".

[4] A number of settlers established themselves at Wonnerup, and eventually a contingent of troops was stationed there under Lieutenant Henry Bunbury.

[8] During the 1850s, Busselton began to receive convicts who were beginning to arrive in Western Australia; they particularly helped with the timber industry.

By the early 20th century, Busselton had become well known as a resort town, aided by the railway along with the 1890s Western Australian gold rushes, which greatly increased the state's population and prosperity.

Up to some 20 years ago, it was merely a charming country village, with grass-grown streets where arum lilies rioted in profusion.

... Its cool temperate climate, excellent beach and well-established bathing facilities have made it one of the favourite summer resorts.

If to these we add the caves reached daily by motor service from the town and, in addition to the scenery, this excellent boating, bathing and fishing, Busselton can probably claim to be the most favoured haunt of the holiday seeker.

[13] Busselton is in the South West region of Western Australia, about 220 kilometres (140 mi) south-west of Perth.

Caves Road leads to the nearby town of Dunsborough, which is separated from Busselton by a green belt, notably including the Locke Estate, known locally as the "Holy Mile".

[21][24] The annual average rainfall at the Busselton Shire station is 794.5 millimetres (31.28 in), with the wettest period being from May to September.

[1] Australian-born residents made up 75.9% of Busselton's population, followed by those born in England (7.8%), New Zealand (2.3%), South Africa (1.1%), Scotland (0.7%), and the Philippines (0.5%).

The economic focus of the region has gradually shifted from agriculture as the population has increased and tourism has grown in the district.

[38] Busselton is home to the longest wooden jetty (pier) in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching 1,841 metres (6,040 ft) out to sea.

The complex also includes the dairy and kitchen, which antedate the main house (and survived the fire of 1858 because they were separate buildings).

In 1926 the factory was sold to South-West Dairy Produce Co-operative, which was later renamed "Sunny West" and merged into Wesfarmers.

The factory also operated as an ice works for local residents and fishermen before the widespread availability of mechanical refrigeration.

Ithaca is listed on the state's Register of Heritage Places in recognition of its significant historical and community values.

In August 2001, the Western Australian government announced that Weld Hall had been listed on the Register of Heritage Places in recognition of its significant historical and cultural value to the local community.

The hall is a single-storey brick building with a galvanised roof, and is constructed in a simplified Victorian Italianate style; it is one of the oldest remaining structures in the town.

[4] Busselton has a leisure centre, a golf club, tennis courts, a skate park, and several outdoor areas on which sport is played.

It also contains the Busselton Court House and Police Complex, which has an old courthouse, post office, and bond store.

[72][73][74] The ArtGeo Gallery is housed in a former Agricultural Bank of Western Australia building, constructed in 1931, and added to the heritage register in 1999.

The six sculptures, unveiled between 2014 and 2019, are Whaler's Wife, Timber Worker, John Garrett Bussell, Spanish Settler (referring to nearby Yoongarillup), Gaywal (an Aboriginal leader at the time of European settlement), and Pioneer Woman.