The History of Busselton

At Amalfi Resort, we like to share with our guests the local history of the region. Busselton is a coastal town in the South West region of Western Australia. The town lies approximately 2 hours to the south of Perth, the state capital. Busselton is the largest town in the South West region and is the administrative centre for the City of Busselton.

The history of Busselton in Western Australia is a long and varied one, dating back to the early days of European settlement in the region.

Before white settlement in 1832, and for at least 40,000 years, the Busselton area was home to the Noongar Aboriginal people from the Wardandi and Bibulman language/ancestral groups. The colonisation of Western Australia in 1829 had a major impact on the life of the Noongar people.

Many towns in the Busselton area, such as Wonnerup, Yallingup and Carbunup River, still hold their original Noongar names. In 1841 at Wonnerup, Aboriginal Gaywal murdered George Layman.

Early History of Busselton

The early history of European exploration of the Busselton area focused on the French expedition of 1801, which brought Nicholas Baudin, with his ships Géographe and Naturaliste, to the coast of Western Australia. Baudin named Geographe Bay and Cape Naturaliste after his vessels, and he gave the name Vasse to the river in honour of a sailor Thomas Vasse, who was believed to have drowned when being hauled by rope from shore to a long boat anchored beyond stormy strong surf. 

The first permanent settlers, the Bussell family, arrived in the area and established a farm in 1834 named Cattle Chosen.

How Busselton Got its Name

The town began to grow in the 1830s as more settlers arrived in the area attracted by the rich soil and good climate. By 1838, there were around 20 families living in the area and a school had been established. In 1835 the town name Busselton was officially Gazetted in recognition of the Bussell family. Until the late 1800s “The Vasse” and “Busselton” were used interchangeably until “the Vasse” gradually faded from official usage.

Under the direction of the Surveyor General of Western Australia John Septimus Roe, Busselton was first surveyed by Alfred Ommanney in 1839. His survey laid out the formal town site including street alignments and land allotments.

The town’s first jetty was constructed in 1864 by Henry Yelverton. It quickly gained significance as a crucial port for the region. They established the region’s first school in Busselton circa1848, and the town achieved municipality status on 21 February 1871, separating from the surrounding Sussex Road District, which had been created just a month earlier.

Busselton’s first Post Office was established in 1842, initially operated from either the Resident Magistrate’s Office at Fairlawn or a building owned by Captain John Molloy, before moving to Herring’s Cottage at the corner of Queen and Adelaide Streets in 1844. The first Postmaster was John Herring. This early post office was one of the first in regional Western Australia and played a vital role in connecting Busselton’s settlers to the outside world – initially via ships and horseback, long before rail arrived.

The Goldrush Years

There was no gold rush in the area. Prospecting activity did occur in the surrounding South West region, especially in the 1870s –1890s, as settlers explored inland from Busselton. In1896, J. Lord reported gold bearing rock from Boojidup Brook near Margaret River. A syndicate pegged 450 acres, but farming interests clashed with mining, and the field was eventually closed in 1935.

In the 1860s Busselton became an important port for the shipping of wool and timber from the surrounding region. The town’s first newspaper, the Busselton Times, was established in 1892.  The establishment of a number of new industries, including a sawmill and a Butter Factory and the construction of a jetty extension in 1885 helped boost the town’s economy. 

The town grew steadily throughout the 19th century. By the early 20th century, it was a thriving port and holiday destination. Construction of the Busselton Jetty was completed in the 1960s at 1,841 metres and holds the title of being the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. The jetty was originally built to allow for the loading and unloading of cargo ships. But it soon became a popular tourist attraction. 

The town continued its growth in the early 20th century with the construction of several new schools and churches. In 1835 the Busselton Town site was Gazetted and began to grow. By 1871 the population had reached more than 500. Today, City of Busselton population is around 44,000.

Group Settlement Years

In 1921 the Western Australian Government embarked on a Group Settlement Scheme with British settlers taking up farming blocks in the Busselton and Margaret River districts. The railway line brought the settlers and their belongings from Fremantle-Perth. The Busselton Historical Society’s Old Butter Factory Museum in Peel Terrace is well worth a visit to learn about Group Settlement and many other features of the Districts early history.

The People of Busselton

The Noongar people first inhabited the area around Busselton. They used the area for fishing and hunting. The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1832. The settlers established farms and vineyards. Originally, they named Busselton ‘The Vasse’ after the river that runs through the town. The town was renamed Busselton in 1835. 

In 1864 the first jetty was built in Busselton. It was used for loading and unloading cargo from ships. The jetty was extended several times, and it is now the longest wooden jetty in the world, measuring 1.8 kilometres in length. 

The Boyanup to Busselton railway line was completed in 1894 and helped to further boost the town’s economy. 

In recent years, Busselton has become an even more popular tourist destination. With thousands each year staying in various accommodation options and resorts in Busselton. The town’s proximity to the Margaret River wine region and the beautiful beaches of the South West attract visitors from all over Australia and overseas. 

Busselton Jetty

The Busselton Jetty is the town’s most popular tourist attraction. Originally built to load and unload cargo from ships it is a popular fishing spot. People also use it for leisure activities such as swimming, walking, and cycling. A train takes visitors to the Underwater Observatory at the outer end of the jetty. 

The town of Busselton is a vibrant and thriving community with a rich history and is a popular tourist destination. 

Conclusion: History of Busselton

Busselton is a coastal town in Western Australia with a rich and diverse history that dates back to its indigenous Noongar inhabitants followed by the early days of European settlement. Today, people know Busselton for its iconic jetty and beautiful beaches. As well as its role as a gateway to the Margaret River wine region, making it a vibrant and thriving community with a fascinating past and an exciting future.  At Amalfi Resort, we encourage you to look into the rich history of Busselton while you stay with us at our Busselton accommodation in Western Australia.