FREE activities for the kids in Busselton

Busselton is a vibrant seaside haven on the shores of Geographe Bay. It’s also the entry point to the famous Margaret River wine region, and has plenty of culture, nature and heritage to discover.

Packed to the brim with things to see, do and explore, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite free family-friendly activities in Busselton to help your holiday budget go further.

1. Busselton Jetty

Busselton’s iconic 155-year-old jetty stretches out an impressive 1841 metres and is a must-see for visitors and locals alike. If you’re visiting in summer spend the afternoon jumping in and out of the tidal swimming enclosure located on the west side of the jetty.

Hot tip – hang around for the late afternoon and you’ll even get the chance to wander down the jetty for free after 4pm.

2. Mandalay grounds

From indoor and outdoor pools, a massive rainbow waterslide, 4 adventure playgrounds, movie nights and a games room, Mandalay Resort is the ultimate family-friendly holiday destination. And the best part? All our fantastic facilities are free for guests to enjoy!

If you’re visiting us soon, be sure to the free Mandalay Resort app for everything you need to know ahead of your stay, including a timetable of what’s happening in the park.

3. Beach picnic

Who doesn’t love a picnic when the sun is shining? And with the region’s wonderful natural beauty, there are plenty of spots to choose from!

Busselton Foreshore has to be our top pick, with playgrounds, skate parks and more to keep the whole family entertained. However, if you’re wanting to watch the sun melt into the horizon, be sure to head to Yallingup, Prevelly or Smiths Beach.

4. The Aquarium

Once a ‘hidden gem’, Yallingup’s Aquarium is now well known and can get busy in school holidays. We tend to skip it in January, but will head down for a mid-morning swim as a special treat in February or March before the afternoon breeze comes in. It’s a 10-minute walk in and out, so make sure your kids are happy to stroll, and be sure to pack a snorkel so you can see the tiny fish darting around.

5. Sea by the Bay playground

If your kids have an affinity for all things nautical, Sea Play by the Bay playground on Busselton’s foreshore is a must-visit! Nestled between Busselton Jetty and Kyst, it features a wrecked clipper ship with cargo holds, climbing nets, telescope, cannons and a crow’s nest for climbing.

There’s even a huge whale’s tail which spouts water too – perfect for warmer summer days.

6. Bike rides

With a beautiful coastline stretching across the region, why not leave the car behind and embrace the fresh air?

The Geographe Path across from Mandalay is a concrete, flat and well-maintained trail that connects Busselton to Dunsborough with sweeping views of the coastline. Plus, when you get to Dunsborough, you’ll be rewarded with a number of places to grab a bite to eat or drink! As always, remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

7. Public art trail

The City of Busselton has long drawn a range of creative types due to its natural beauty – from artists, musicians and writers. Urban artwork is peppered across the region, and there’s a number of a fantastic free murals and artwork to be explored in Busselton.

Whether it’s life-sized paintings of Blue Whales at the end of Busselton Jetty or eye-catching works tucked down alleyways, there’s something interesting for all to admire. Check out the Near-Me mapping feature to find the artworks.

8. Endangered Western Ringtail possums

Mandalay is home to one of Busselton’s biggest Western Ringtail Possum populations, with around 130 possums nestled in our beautiful peppermint trees. The small marsupials are nocturnal, so the best way to spot them is in the early evening.

If you’re visiting us soon, be sure to have a go spotting our fellow residents. Take your torch out and look for them hiding amongst the trees. Just remember to be quiet, we don’t want to scare them!

9. Wildflower walk in Ambergate Reserve

The Margaret River Region has remarkable biodiversity, and if you visit in spring, you’ll observe an abundance of wildflowers and orchids in blossom. We’re lucky to have over 2,500 species of wildflowers decorate the region in vivid colours with their delicate flowers.

Located just 9km from the centre of Busselton, you’ll find Ambergate Reserve – a 75-hectare regional park ablaze with wildflowers. This stunning reserve contains at least 326 species of native flowering plants. The 4km loop walk trail is a wildflower hotspot that provides access through all parts of the reserve where you’ll see orchids, rare Verticordia and great Christmas tree displays in December.

10. Ballaarat Engine

If the weather is looking a little grim, and you’ve got a few youngsters to entertain, why not learn more about Busselton’s fascinating history?

Visit Railway House at the Busselton Visitor Centre where you can admire the 150-year-old restored Ballaarat Steam Engine that was the first steam engine to operate in Western Australia. The centre also has a number of other interactive exhibits to explore too.

If you’re interested in learning about the town’s social, civic, commercial and maritime history, head to Busselton Museum in the Old Butter Factory. Wander the display rooms packed with photographs, equipment and memorabilia.

11. Busselton Cultural Precinct

Located right in the centre of Busselton you’ll find the Old Courthouse Complex, which is home to a collection of cultural facilities including the ArtGeo Gallery, the Old Courthouse and a jail. In 2026 Saltwater cultural centre will open with a superb new performing arts space; we’ll share a program as soon as it hits our desk!

With the aim to showcase local talent through a number of exhibitions and workshops, there’s always something interesting on for the whole family to enjoy. Check out what’s on here – https://www.busseltonculturalprecinct.com.au/

12. Festival of Busselton

The Festival of Busselton provides plenty of free, family-friendly fun from NYE celebrations on 31 December to live music, Petticoat Lane markets, outdoor cinema, a big waterfight and plenty more, wrapping up on 24 January. Stay tuned as they share their calendar of events soon.