What's on

Whales, wildflowers, vintage and the big weekends

Whales off the capes in spring, grapes coming in through autumn, swell through winter. Land at the right time, or know what you'll find when you do.

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The year at a glance

Month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high30°30°28°24°20°18°17°17°19°21°25°28°
Average low14°15°14°11°9°8°7°7°8°9°11°12°
Rain, mm1262037951231391107333229
In season
Whale watching from Busselton and Dunsborough (Geographe Bay)
Whale watching from Augusta (Flinders Bay)
Blue whales off Cape Naturaliste
Wildflower season, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Vintage (grape harvest) at the wineries
Australian salmon run
Surf season
Swimming and beach season
Peak visitor periods and quieter months
Events
Festival of Busselton (New Year's Eve and January program)
Busselton Jetty Swim
Geographe Bay Race Week
Nannup Music Festival
Dunsborough Arts Festival and Sculpture by the Bay
Busselton Fringe Festival
Western Australia Margaret River Pro (World Surf League)
Busselton Festival of Triathlon (Busselton 100)
Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival
Cabin Fever Festival
CinefestOZ Film Festival
Margaret River Region Open Studios
Cape to Cape MTB
Busselton Show
Pair'd Margaret River Region
Margaret River Agricultural Show
IRONMAN Western Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia
Yallingup Malibu Classic (Yal Mal)
Carols by the Jetty

Climate: Bureau of Meteorology averages for Busselton. Bars show the usual months.

Seasons

What nature is doing when you land

Whale watching from Busselton and Dunsborough (Geographe Bay)

Aug – Nov · Geographe Bay; tours from Quindalup boat ramp near Dunsborough; land lookouts at Point Piquet (Meelup Regional Park) and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

Humpback and southern right whales rest in Geographe Bay on the southbound leg of their migration. Tour operator Naturaliste Charters runs Dunsborough departures from August to November with October described as the peak; Meelup Regional Park lists September to November as its best window, with a built whale-viewing platform at Point Piquet.

Whale watching from Augusta (Flinders Bay)

May – Aug · Flinders Bay, tours from Augusta Boat Harbour on Leeuwin Road, about 1 hr 20 min drive south of Busselton Airport

Augusta is the first stop of the season: humpbacks pass Cape Leeuwin on their northern migration from May to August, and Naturaliste Charters runs daily Augusta departures in those months. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions describes the overall WA migration window as May to December.

Blue whales off Cape Naturaliste

Oct – Nov · Geographe Bay off Cape Naturaliste and Meelup Regional Park

Meelup Regional Park says Geographe Bay is one of few places in the world where blue whales can be seen, but sightings are rare and October and November give the best chance. Dunsborough tour operator Naturaliste Charters also lists blue whales among its Geographe Bay sightings.

Wildflower season, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park

Aug – Nov · Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park coastal tracks (Cape to Cape Track, Torpedo Trail near Yallingup), forests and cave reserves; the season starts near Busselton and moves south to Augusta

The region's tourism body says the best wildflower display runs August to November, with more than 2,500 species and about 150 orchids, and that blooming begins at the northern end of the capes and moves south through spring. The park's own trail notes call the wildflowers on the Torpedo Trail spectacular in spring. Picking native flowers is prohibited.

Vintage (grape harvest) at the wineries

Feb – Apr · Margaret River wine region vineyards between Busselton and Augusta

The Margaret River Wine Association describes a typical harvest running from late February to late April (the 2017 vintage), with cool years pushing the finish into early May and warm years starting as early as the end of January. Expect picking crews, grape trucks and busy winery sheds through autumn.

Australian salmon run

Mar – Apr · Sheltered bays and rocky headlands of the south and west coasts, including the beaches south of Margaret River and around Augusta

The WA Government describes the annual run of Australian salmon schools along the coast as an autumn fixture on the fishing calendar. SharkSmart WA says schools are commonly spotted between early-to-mid March and late April, and reminds beach fishers to check the SharkSmart app because the run draws sharks close to shore.

Surf season

Mar – Jun · West-coast breaks from Yallingup through Gracetown to Surfers Point at Prevelly

The regional tourism body says autumn can be argued the best season for offshore winds and glassy conditions, while the start of winter brings the biggest swells to the region, though there is surf year-round. The Margaret River Pro, part of the World Surf League Championship Tour, is held in autumn at Surfers Point.

Swimming and beach season

Dec – Mar · Calm Geographe Bay beaches near Busselton and Dunsborough; Yallingup Lagoon, Gnarabup and Granny's Pool near Augusta on the west and south coasts

Summer (December to February) is when daily highs of 25 to 35 degrees make the beaches most inviting, and the Bureau of Meteorology's Busselton Aero averages show mean maximums above 28 degrees from December to March. The tourism body recommends the sheltered Geographe Bay beaches for calm swimming, with Yallingup Lagoon, Gnarabup and Granny's Pool as west- and south-coast options when conditions allow.

Peak visitor periods and quieter months

Dec – Feb · Whole region

Summer (December to February) is the peak, when restaurants, bars and wineries fill with holiday-makers; one guide suggests late November as a window before the crowds arrive. WA public school holidays (roughly mid-December to late January, plus two-week breaks in April, July and September-October) are the busiest weeks, so book cars and accommodation early for those dates.

Events

Annual events worth planning around

Dates move; the event site has this year's.

Festival of Busselton (New Year's Eve and January program)

Jan
Busselton Foreshore, Queen Street, Signal Park, Vasse and Dunsborough

A free, volunteer-run summer festival that has opened Busselton's new year since 1964. The 2027 program starts with a family-friendly New Year's Eve party on the foreshore and runs through January with a 150-stall twilight market on Queen Street, a water fight at Signal Park, outdoor cinema and a Battle of the Bands finale.

Next: 31 December 2026 to 23 January 2027; NYE party on the Busselton Foreshore 6-9 pm on 31 December 2026; Petticoat Lane twilight market 13 January; Main Event concert 23 January 2027

Event site →

Busselton Jetty Swim

Feb
Busselton Jetty and foreshore, Geographe Bay

A 3.6 km open-water swim around the Busselton Jetty, with a 1.6 km swim to shore and a 500 m shortcut swim under the jetty. The organisers say it has grown from 82 swimmers in 1996 to more than 5,500 participants.

Next: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February 2027; entry ballot opens October 2026

Event site →

Geographe Bay Race Week

Feb
Geographe Bay Yacht Club, 1 King Street, Busselton; courses off Busselton Jetty

A week of keelboat, sports-boat and multihull racing hosted by Geographe Bay Yacht Club, with a delivery fleet sailing down from Perth. The club says it is running windward-leeward courses closer to the jetty so families and visitors can watch from shore.

Next: Saturday 6 to Friday 12 February 2027; entries close 31 January 2027

Event site →

Nannup Music Festival

Mar
Nannup town centre, about 1 hr 15 min drive from Busselton Airport

A long-weekend roots and folk festival presented by Nannup Music Club since 1990, with ten stages, more than 100 acts, workshops, camping and artisan markets over three days and nights.

Next: 26 February to 1 March 2027 (38th festival); line-up and tickets from 1 November 2026

Event site →

Dunsborough Arts Festival and Sculpture by the Bay

Mar
Dunsborough Foreshore and Seymour Park; small sculptures at Christian Fletcher Gallery

A free Labour Day long-weekend festival run by the Dunsborough and Districts Progress Association since 2001, with workshops, circus acts, a Sunday art market, evening foreshore concerts and fireworks over the water on the Sunday night. Sculpture by the Bay, started in 2010, puts around 50 large sculptures along the foreshore.

Next: 2026 edition ran Saturday 28 February to Monday 2 March 2026 (Labour Day long weekend, 25th festival); 2027 dates not yet announced

Event site →

Busselton Fringe Festival

Mar
Venues and pop-up spaces around Busselton

A community-run arts festival founded in 2014 with theatre, music, comedy, cabaret, visual arts, workshops and family events across traditional venues and pop-up spaces in Busselton.

Next: 6-14 March 2027

Event site →

Western Australia Margaret River Pro (World Surf League)

Apr
Surfers Point, Prevelly (Main Break and The Box)

One of three Australian stops on the WSL Championship Tour, held at Surfers Point with free spectator access, big screens and food trucks. The event runs only on days the WSL calls 'on' within a roughly ten-day window; weekend parking is by shuttle from near Margaret River Golf Club. Wikipedia records the event at Surfers Point since 1985; George Pittar and Lakey Peterson won in 2026.

Next: 2026 edition ran 16-26 April 2026; 2027 dates not yet announced

Event site →

Busselton Festival of Triathlon (Busselton 100)

May
Busselton Foreshore; bike leg through the Tuart Forest

A two-day May triathlon weekend headlined by the Busselton 100 (2 km swim, 80 km ride, 18 km run), plus shorter races, a kids' event, an expo and food trucks for more than 2,800 participants. The WA Government confirmed support for the festival through to 2027.

Next: 1 and 2 May 2027; registration coming soon

Event site →

Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival

May
Margaret River and Busselton venues (Arts Margaret River)

A not-for-profit festival of books, ideas and author sessions run by Arts Margaret River for close to 20 years, with school programs and free sessions alongside ticketed talks. The organisers say it returns bigger in 2027.

Next: 14-16 May 2027

Event site →

Cabin Fever Festival

Jun
Wineries, breweries and venues across Busselton, Cowaramup and the Margaret River region

A winter food, wine, beer and music festival with events such as bottomless brunches, barrel-room dinners, a cheese-toastie competition and disco nights. A winter festival; exact dates are announced each year.

Next: 2027 dates not yet announced

Event site →

CinefestOZ Film Festival

Aug
Busselton, Margaret River, Bunbury and surrounds (cinemas, wineries, breweries, galleries)

Australia's largest regional film festival, founded in 2008 and based in Busselton, with red-carpet premieres, in-conversation lunches and the A$100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize. Screenings spread across the region's cinemas, wineries and small bars over nine days in late August and early September.

Next: 2026 edition ran 28 August to 6 September 2026; 2027 is the festival's 20th year, dates not yet announced

Event site →

Margaret River Region Open Studios

Sep
Artists' studios from Busselton to Augusta

Billed as Australia's largest open-studios event, it opens more than 150 artists' studios across the region free of charge for about two and a half weeks each September. It won silver for events and festivals at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

Next: 2026 edition ran 12-27 September 2026 with 152 artists; 2027 dates not yet announced

Event site →

Cape to Cape MTB

Oct
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (Augusta) to Cape Naturaliste (Dunsborough) via Nannup and Margaret River

Australia's largest four-day mountain-bike stage race, about 200 km with roughly 2,500 m of climbing, starting at Cape Leeuwin and finishing at Cape Naturaliste with winery and brewery finish venues. Organised by EventMatrix; each stage is 34 to 59 km on trails, some on private land only open during the race.

Next: 2026 edition ran Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October 2026; Cape Kids on 14 October 2026; 2027 dates not yet announced

Event site →

Busselton Show

Oct
Churchill Park, Busselton

Two days of equestrian and pavilion competitions, sideshow rides, food trucks, market stalls, live music and a large fireworks display at Churchill Park under the theme 'Keeping Tradition Alive'.

Next: Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026; fireworks Friday from about 8:30 pm

Event site →

Pair'd Margaret River Region

Nov
Wineries and venues across the Margaret River region

A four-day wine and food festival that the Augusta-Margaret River Times reported in April 2024 as the State Government's successor to Margaret River Gourmet Escape, with its first edition on 14-17 November 2024. Leeuwin Estate hosts a Pair'd dinner on 21 November 2026.

Next: 19-22 November 2026

Event site →

Margaret River Agricultural Show

Nov
Margaret River showgrounds

A one-day country show in its 97th year with rides, entertainment, an exhibition-hall competition, trade stalls and family fireworks. The organisers say agriculture returns to the 2026 program.

Next: Saturday 7 November 2026 (97th show); early-bird family tickets on sale

Event site →

IRONMAN Western Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia

Dec
Busselton Foreshore (Signal Park), swim beside Busselton Jetty

Busselton has hosted IRONMAN Western Australia since 2004, with a jetty swim and bike and run courses among the flattest on the global circuit. The 70.3 runs on the same day. Expect road closures around the foreshore and Bussell Highway on race weekend.

Next: Sunday 6 December 2026 (both the full IRONMAN and the 70.3); IRONKIDS Busselton Saturday 5 December 2026

Event site →

Yallingup Malibu Classic (Yal Mal)

Dec
Yallingup Main Break

A longboard contest hosted by the Indian Ocean Longboard Club at Yallingup Main Break, now past its 40th year. Surfing WA reported the 41st event over the first weekend of December 2025; the event has no website of its own that could be verified.

Next: 41st edition held 6-7 December 2025; 2026 dates not yet announced

Event site →

Carols by the Jetty

Dec
Busselton foreshore beside the Busselton Jetty

A community Christmas carols evening presented by the combined churches of Busselton and Dunsborough on the foreshore beside the jetty. Christmas in Mitchell Park (Friday 11 December 2026) is a family event with Father Christmas the night before.

Next: Saturday 12 December 2026

Event site →

No longer running: Margaret River Gourmet Escape (Gourmet Escape no longer runs. The Augusta-Margaret River Times reported in April 2024 that it was replaced by Pair'd Margaret River Region, a state-owned festival focused solely on the region; the margaretriver.com listing for Pair'd still sits at the old gourmet-escape URL.)

School holidays

When the region is full

BreakFromTo
WA summer holidays 2026-272026-12-182027-01-31
WA Term 1 break 20272027-04-102027-04-25
WA Term 2 break 20272027-07-032027-07-18
WA Term 3 break 20272027-09-252027-10-10

Western Australian public school dates. Cars and accommodation book out across these weeks and over long weekends; reserve the car first.

Car hire

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Avraa Car Hire

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Busselton & South West Rent A Car

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Local independent listed by the airport. Pre-book by phone or web.
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Thrifty

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Thrifty lists a Busselton Airport branch at the airport address; not on the airport's own operator list, so confirm pickup when booking.
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