Busselton is located 232 km south of Perth and has an approximate population of 24,000 (estimate).
The early history of European exploration of the area focuses on the French expedition of 1801 which brought Nicholas Baudin, with his ships the Geographe and Naturaliste, to the coast of Western Australia. It was Baudin who name the bay, Geographe Bay, after his vessel and named the river Vasse after a sailor who was lost, believed drowned, in the area. No one knows what happened to Vasse. He disappeared when one of the Geographe's boats capsized in the surf. However when the area was finally settled by Europeans there was a story told by the local Aborigines of a white man who had lived with the Aborigines until his death and who spent most of his life wandering the shores of Geographe Bay waiting for a ship to return.
Busselton has been judged WAs top tourism town three times (1995,1996 & 2005) and is the Western Australia’s premier seaside resort town. Sheltered from most prevailing winds, it has 30 kilometres of white sandy beaches and is an aquatic playground remarkable for the variety it offers in the tranquil waters of Geographe Bay.
The bay is enjoyed by fisherman, water skiers, snorkellers, scuba divers, windsurfers and sailors. In the last 30 years, a new industry has developed in the region with the establishment of many vineyards which produce award-winning table wines. This thriving industry supplements the traditional industries of dairying, beef cattle, sheep and other farming products. In Spring, the wildflowers are magnificent and such varieties as kangaroo paws, cats paws, pink vine, acacias and donkey and spider orchids are in abundance.
Busselton makes an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding areas including Dunsborough, Yallingup and the Margaret River Wine Region, which extends westward from Busselton in the north to Augusta in the south.
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Australia
