A humpback whale spyhops Naturaliste Charters whale watching on a recent tour

Whales, Wine & the Wonders of Busselton

The Perfect Weekend in Busselton

Whales, Wine & Waterfront Magic

Busselton is one of Western Australia’s favourite coastal escapes, combining stunning beaches, vibrant food and wine experiences, and incredible marine encounters. If you are planning a short getaway, we have created the perfect two to three day itinerary to help you make the most of your time. This weekend plan pairs whale watching with some of the region’s best wineries, attractions, and dining options.

Day 1: Arrival and Sunset by the Jetty

Arrive in Busselton and settle into your chosen accommodation. For a relaxed start, head down to the iconic Busselton Jetty for a sunset stroll. At 1.8 kilometres long, it is the longest wooden-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Capture the golden glow as the sun sets over Geographe Bay before enjoying dinner on the foreshore.

Underwater Observatory: Ride or walk to the end of the jetty and join a guided tour. Descend about eight metres below the surface. Peer through 11 windows in a 9.5-metre chamber to view Australia’s largest artificial reef. Expect colourful corals, sponges, and schooling fish around the jetty piles. Tours typically last around 1 hour 45 minutes including the train.

Dive or snorkel the Underwater Sculpture Park: Explore a new artificial reef featuring 13 sculptures by 12 Western Australian artists. Join guided snorkel or dive sessions with Swan Dive Busselton. Conditions suit most experience levels, with vibrant growth on pylons and sculptures.

Dining Tip: Book a table at Kyst Busselton for fresh seasonal dishes paired with sweeping ocean views. Their modern menu highlights local produce and is the perfect introduction to the South West.

Day 2: Whale Watching and Winery Touring

Start your day with an unforgettable whale watching experience. Legend Charters partners with Naturaliste Charters to offer tours departing just 20 minutes away from Dunsborough. From August to November, witness Humpback Whales and their calves breaching and tail-slapping as they migrate south. The expert crew provide fascinating insights into the behaviour of these incredible marine giants.

After your cruise, spend the afternoon exploring the Margaret River Wine Region. Choose a winery lunch experience at favourites like Amelia Park or Aravina Estate. Both offer exceptional food, beautiful views, and award-winning wines.

Evening Idea: Stop by Occy’s Dunsborough for a relaxed dinner and craft beer paddle. The vibe is casual and welcoming — perfect after a full day of adventure.

Day 3: Beaches, Coffee, and Local Attractions

If you have an extra morning, spend it soaking up the beach life. Geographe Bay’s calm, turquoise waters are ideal for a walk, swim, or paddleboard. Alternatively, visit the Underwater Observatory to descend eight metres below the ocean’s surface and view over 300 species of marine life.

Before heading home, grab breakfast or brunch at Southcamp Dunsborough. Their quality coffee and relaxed beer garden setting make for the perfect farewell to your South West escape.

Where to Stay

Busselton offers accommodation for every style and budget. From beachfront resorts like Hilton Garden Inn Busselton to family-friendly options such as Broadwater Resort or Amalfi Resort, there is something to suit everyone. For those seeking a private retreat, Peppy Beach Retreats provides stunning holiday homes with ocean views — and an exclusive 5% discount when you use code NATURALISTE.

Plan Your Busselton Getaway

A weekend in Busselton is the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and indulgence. With whale watching, wineries, beaches, and world-class dining all at your doorstep, it is a coastal escape that will leave you refreshed and inspired.

Book your Whale Watching Tour now and start planning your perfect weekend in Busselton today.

Busselton Jetty became the visit site for a group of curious humpback whales

Epic season of inquisitive whales

Sometimes it is a great reminder of how lucky we are here at Legend Charters when we find ourselves getting just as excited if not sometimes more excited about the beautiful gracious whales we encounter.

The Humpback migration through Geographe Bay is simply amazing! More than 35 thousand Humpbacks are expected to pass through here during the months of September – early December.  We often get asked do we need to bring binoculars, and it always provides us with great pleasure to say no, and it’s at that moment that we know that when that person steps on board Dhu Force they are going to experience a mind blowing tour!

Just recently we had three magnificent Humpbacks who would not leave us alone (much welcomed attention, don’t get me wrong!) We approached these Humpbacks at a safe distance and before we knew it these whales turned around and headed straight for us, providing some very awesome interactions.  These Humpbacks were showing off their head stand skills and ever so gracefully they would twirl their tail around out of the water providing us with 360 degree views, they would then proceed to show off their gorgeous white bellies, some mighty fine tail slapping skills and circled our vessel repeatedly, was just simply amazing!

As we were close to the Busselton Jetty we joked on board about how funny it would be if these whales swam past the underwater observatory at the end of the Busselton Jetty, unbelievably enough less than a hour after the tour there were postings all over social media about a Humpback swimming past the observatory giving guests on a tour there an awesome rare glimpse at this amazing inquisitive whale underwater!