Busselton

At the head of Geographe Bay, Busselton is a major holiday resort in the South West Of Western Australia. The town is 50 kms south-west of Bunbury and 232 kms south of Perth. Busselton is also a gateway to the nearby towns of Dunsborough, Yallingup and Margaret River. Named after the district pioneer Bussell family who are still prominent in the town today. The name Busselton was first used in 1835 although this was interchangeable with 'The Vasse'

Busselton - Vasse River and Causeway

Slightly north of town, the Vasse River flows languidly if at all, a somewhat series of billabongs right now, which probably accounts for the algae greenness. The bridge over there is the southern end of Causeway Road which is the main entrance to the town from the north. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS001

Busselton - Vasse River Old Bridge

On the Vasse River a little west of the Causeway Road crossing are these old bridge supports, which may have once supported a rail spur running from the station area to the jetty. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS002

Busselton - Railway Station

Busselton Train Station stills exists now in a park across the river in the northern part of town. The track to Capel has been lifted but it's still easy to see the route. This is not the original site of the railway station building (it was moved) but would be fairly close to it. In the early days a line also ran through to Margaret River and Augusta. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS003

Busselton - Guides Hall

Next to the Railway Station is this Guides Hall which looks of similar vintage to the station building. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS004

Busselton - Scouts Hall

Right next to the Guides Hall is the H. J. Tyler Memorial Scouts Hall which architecturally blends in well with its Guides Hall and Railway Station neighbours. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS005

Busselton - St Mary's Anglican Church

On the corner of Queen Street and Peel Terrace is this church which claims to be the oldest stone church in W.A. It was built in 1844-1845. The churchyard contains a number of very old graves including those of a number of members of the pioneer Bussell family. The bell tower was added in 1902. The vestry was added in 1906 and the porch in 1924. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS006

Busselton - Ship Inn

The Ship Inn is slightly west of the town centre, on Bussell Highway on the corner of West Street. This was formerly known as the Ship Hotel and it was built in 1910. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS007

Busselton - Albie's Bar & Bistro

Albie's Bar and Bistro on the corner of Queen Street and Albert Street. I feel sure this pub had a different name in the past as the name is unusual for the 100+ year-old looking architecture. Albie is probably taken from its Albert Street location. January 2013 Photos Ref: BUSS008

Busselton - Queen Street

A view looking north along the main street, Queen Street, on a very busy summer day. Not only is town full of the usual summer holiday makers, but thousands of music-lovers are also in town for this weekend's Southbound Music festival. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS009

Busselton - Sussex House

On the corner of Queen Street and Prince Street is Sussex House which accommodates Callows Newsagency, amongst a few other stores. The building was erected in 1911 as commercial premises. Early uses included a drapery, and general store. In World War II the premises were used as a boarding house. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS010

Busselton - Vasse Hotel

The Vasse Hotel stands on the corner of Queen Street and Duchess Street. The Federation hotel was built in 1906 but has changed significantly over the years. The only remaining original part is the parapet which includes the hotel name. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS011

Busselton - Courthouse

The old Courthouse towards the northern end of Queen Street. A sign there says "The Old Post Office Tearooms" but inside there is a gallery in the old court room and good to see the magistrate's bench, the clerk's bench and the witness box well preserved, amongst other furniture and fittings. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS012

Busselton - Courthouse

This is looking down the northern face of the courthouse. Construction of this court/police complex (rear stone section) commenced in 1856. The courthouse was built in 1897 and operated as such until 1976. Remembered are former Busselton Clerks of Court Alan Down and Frank Bullock. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS013

Busselton - Repertory Club

Across the road from the old courthouse and police quarters is the Busselton Repertory Club. The was built in 1874 as the Weld Hall. Over the years it has also been variously known as the Weld Institute, the Weld Mechanic's Institute and the Weld Repertory Theatre. It has also been used as the Town Hall and R.S.L. Hall. A chequered past. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS014

Busselton - Artgeo Gallery

On the corner of Queen Street and Marine Terrace is the Artgeo Gallery. This is part of the arts complex also taking in the former courthouse and police station. This building was constructed in 1931. It is the former Agricultural Bank of Western Australia and one time Office of the Department of Agriculture. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS015

Busselton - Esplanade Hotel

On Marine Terrace is the Esplanade Hotel. It doesn't show its age as it was built in 1910 though the section fronting the street has been extensively remodelled. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS016

Busselton - Nautical Lady

Up at the northern end of town where all the water action starts. This is the Nautical Lady, something of a small playground for children. It's right next to the Visitor Centre, the Nautical Lady Tower. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS017

Busselton - Nautical Lady Tower

Constructed on the foreshore at the end of the famed Busselton Jetty is the Visitor Centre. The construction very much resembles a lighthouse which was the intent. The building was constructed in 1993. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS018

Busselton - Goose Cafe Restaurant

Again on the foreshore near the end of the Jetty is The Goose Cafe Restaurant which has been operating in Busselton since 1998 but only fairly recently in this beachfront location. It used to be in town. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS019

(Update 13 April 2021: I see in today's press that this building burnt down yesterday. A great pity)

Busselton - Interpretive Centre

On the end of the Jetty is the Interpretive Centre, a souvenir and gift shop and a museum. Here you can buy a variety of jetty tickets, depending on what you want to experience. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS020

Busselton - Jetty Town End

At the town end of the jetty looking back past the Interpretive Centre, over the train terminus and on to the Nautical Lady Tower. You can glimpse a section of The Goose Cafe roof there too. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS021

Busselton - Jetty Train

The Busselton Jetty is probably the centre-piece of the town's tourist attractions. The jetty is 1.7 kilometres long and you can choose to do the trip on foot, or take this small train out to the end. The train moves at a very leisurely pace so you have plenty of time to take in all the sights and sounds on the way. Train tickets are pre-purchased in the Interpretive Centre. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS022

Busselton - Swimming Baths

Calm, clear and shallow water makes for a great water playground. This is a view of part of the baths located alongside the jetty. Over on the horizon you can see the land sweeping around to the right towards Dunsborough and then Cape Naturaliste. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS023

Busselton - Swimming Baths

Walking up the jetty and looking back over the baths again. This time a more complete view including the shoreline and row of trees. A ring of buoys surrounds the baths. I don't know whether they support some kind of protective netting from sea nasties or simply acts as a boundary marker. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS024

Busselton - Jetty Old Section

The Busselton Jetty was constructed as a working port jetty in 1865 and continued to operate as such until 1972 when the port was decommissioned. In 1978 the jetty was severely damaged by Cyclone Alby and then written off by authorities. The Government finally gave way to public pressure to rebuild and restore the jetty. Half of the restoration funds were raised via the local Preservation Society. Here is a small section of the original wooden jetty. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS025

Busselton - Jetty Boat Mooring

You can see the original wooden jetty slats have been replaced by more durable concrete. Here is a boat mooring on the final (outer-most) section of the jetty. The water is still pretty shallow and clear here. You can easily see the bottom. Photos Ref: BUSS026

Busselton - Jetty Old Platform

This platform is adjacent to the current jetty but inaccessible. Makes a safe roost for birds. There is a recreation and fishing pontoon visible behind the platform. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS027

Busselton - Jetty Looking Back

Just about at the end of the jetty, this is looking back towards the shore. The jetty does a bit of a dog-leg off to the left. You can see the Nautical Lady Tower right down at the end. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS028

Busselton - Jetty Underwater Observation

Just a handful of metres from the end of the jetty is this Underwater Viewing Centre. You need to get tickets at the start of the jetty, in the Interpretive Centre. You can buy souvenirs and the like in there. This is also the jetty-end terminus for the railway. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS029

Busselton - Jetty Rest Shelter

In two or three locations along the jetty you can sit down in the shade and catch your breath. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS030

Busselton - Jetty Right at the End

Here we are right at the end of the jetty. Nothing but ocean ahead. This is looking more or less northwards. Now to turn around and walk the 1.7 kilometres back to dry land. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS031

Busselton - Bus

I almost did a double take when I saw this TransPerth bus down near the Vasse River until I noticed the TransBusselton on the side. TransPerth is certainly branching out, providing their services in Bunbury, Geraldton and other major centres. January 2013. Photos Ref: BUSS032

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