History

Busselton is one of the earliest settlements in Western Australia, having been settled in 1834 with the original townsite planned for Wonnerup.  This area was considered too wet and low lying and the Surveyor General of the day recommended the present area.

The town is named after the Bussell family, who were the first settlers of the region.

Being in close proximity to the tall timber country, Busselton soon established itself as a leading port. In 1850 timber was being exported,  the small town prospered and jetties for this purpose were built at  Wonnerup, Busselton and Quindalup.  Of those, only the Busselton Jetty remains.

Today the main industries in the Shire are tourism, dairying, beef cattle, sheep, wine, timber, fishing and light industry.

Busselton was named top tourism town in 1995, 1996 and 2005 with Dunsborough winning in 1999.

Wonnerup House

The Wonnerup House Settlement was first settled by the Layman family in 1834 and gives us an important insight into early farming methods and lifestyle.  The original house (later converted to a dairy) was built in 1837 and Wonnerup Homestead was built in 1859.  These buildings, as well as a kitchen, stables, blacksmith, teacher’s house and school have all been carefully restored with many original items and furniture displayed.