A tender port anchored off the world's longest timber-piled jetty — Busselton punches well above its size as a gateway to Geographe Bay, limestone caves, and the acclaimed Margaret River wine region just an hour's drive away.
Ships anchor offshore in Geographe Bay and run tender boats to the base of Busselton Jetty — a smooth landing on the iconic foreshore.
💡 Pro move: For large ship calls (1,000+ passengers) a complimentary City Hopper shuttle may loop around the town centre — check the visitor centre on arrival.
Busselton is a tender-only port; all ships anchor in sheltered Geographe Bay and ferry passengers ashore.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Geographe Bay anchorage → Busselton Jetty foreshore📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition ships | Geographe Bay anchorage → Busselton Jetty foreshore📍 | Tendered |
From a self-guided jetty walk to full-day Margaret River wine immersions, Busselton offers excursions for every pace.
Walk or ride the solar-powered jetty train 1.8 km out to the Underwater Observatory, where you descend 8 m below sea level to see corals, sponges, and fish clinging to the century-old piles.
Book Busselton Jetty tours →Guided coach or small-group tour to the world-famous Margaret River region (~1 hr away), visiting 3–5 cellar doors including pioneers like Vasse Felix, plus a stop at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory.
Find Margaret River wine tours →Venture into this limestone showpiece in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park — dramatic stalactites, helictites, shawls, and ancient crystal formations on a guided 45-minute underground walk.
Find Ngilgi Cave tours →From June through early December, humpback and Southern Right whales migrate through Geographe Bay. Boat tours depart from Busselton and nearby Dunsborough for close-up sightings.
Find whale watching tours →Drive to the northern tip of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge for sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and Geographe Bay from this historic 1904 lighthouse, with optional sections of the Cape to Cape Track.
Find Cape Naturaliste tours →A short drive north of Busselton, Meelup Beach on Geographe Bay offers flat turquoise water, shaded BBQ areas, and calm conditions — ideal for a swim and picnic on a warm ship day.
Find Meelup Beach day trips →The flat Busselton foreshore is perfect for a self-guided stroll; the iconic jetty walk is unmissable.
Walk the full length of the Southern Hemisphere's longest timber-piled jetty and back. The views over Geographe Bay are outstanding; buy a ticket to ride the jetty train one-way to save legs for town.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →From the jetty base, stroll east along the Busselton Foreshore path past Norfolk pines to the town centre on Queen Street. Duck into a café, browse local shops, and return along the beach.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Busselton, Western Australia, Australia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84°F / 29°C | 62°F / 17°C | 1 |
| Feb | 83°F / 28°C | 62°F / 17°C | 2 |
| Mar | 79°F / 26°C | 61°F / 16°C | 4 |
| Apr | 72°F / 22°C | 57°F / 14°C | 5 |
| May | 66°F / 19°C | 54°F / 12°C | 9 |
| Jun | 62°F / 17°C | 52°F / 11°C | 12 |
| Jul | 61°F / 16°C | 51°F / 11°C | 14 |
| Aug | 61°F / 16°C | 50°F / 10°C | 11 |
| Sep | 63°F / 17°C | 50°F / 10°C | 9 |
| Oct | 67°F / 19°C | 53°F / 12°C | 6 |
| Nov | 74°F / 23°C | 56°F / 13°C | 3 |
| Dec | 80°F / 27°C | 59°F / 15°C | 2 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Busselton, Western Australia, Australia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.