The City of Busselton’s ArtGeo Cultural Complex is a creative hub for the visual and performing arts housed in heritage-listed buildings on Queen Street, close to Busselton’s much-loved foreshore. Once linked to the Jetty, the heritage-listed Courthouse, built in 1860, is one of the oldest buildings in Busselton and played an important role in its settlement history.

Walk through the buildings and feel the history within their walls. Explore the gaol cells and imagine being locked up for 14 days for disorderly conduct in a public place behind one of the heavy wooden doors.

The Courthouse Gift Shop reflects the transition from colonial courthouse to modern-day art house. Once inside, you'll discover a tempting range of high quality locally crafted art, jewellery, pottery, cards, photography and woodwork.

Set in the rear courtyard of the complex, there are two artist in residence studios featuring ceramic artist Tracie Anderson and jewellery designer Nalda Hoskins. The general public are welcome to visit these studios, which were once stables, to see the artists at work.

The cultural precinct is also home to the Busselton Art Society, the Busselton Woodturners' Association and the children's theatre group Acting Up. A sheltered courtyard, bush food garden and life-size bronze sculptures augment the ambience of the precinct.

Open daily 10am to 4pm, free entry. 

A fascinating collection of artefacts, photographs and books documenting the rich history of the Augusta-Margaret River Region. Displays include details of families involved in the settlement of Augusta in 1830, which was the third European settlement in Western Australia, artefacts from local shipwrecks, from the MC Davies timber empire (1880s to 1915); the local environment, personal effects of early settlers, details of the 1920s group settlements, commemorative china, coins and medals, garments from various eras, church organs and the whale rescue events which put Augusta on world news headlines.

Over 200 square metres of colourful and unique display area, with shells and corals collected from all around the world. Over 30,000 rare and beautiful specimens are on display, and shells and shell jewellery are available for sale. Shells, corals and jewellery consigned anywhere in the world.
Special showings by appointment for group bookings.

Entry Fee:
Adults: $8
Kids: $4

Today, the Old Court House provides a fascinating glimpse of life in the township some 160 years ago.As part of Busselton's burgeoning cultural precinct, which includes the ArtGeo Gallery and the Weld Repertory Theatre, the Court House also functions as a creative arts hub and heritage site. The precinct provides performance and exhibition space, artists' studios and workshops, guided tours, cafe and retail outlet for regional arts and crafts. The Wadandi people are the traditional owners of the land on which the Court House was constructed.

Featuring a restored earlier House (1838), which was later converted to a dairy and kitchen and, also, a magnificently restored homestead (1859).

Wonnerup House is easy to find: From Busselton, travel east along Peel Tce as this turns into Layman Rd. Travelling south from Perth, look for the alternative scenic route travel through the Tuart Forest and Wonnerup House is on Layman Rd. Plenty of parking for cars, buses and caravans. 

There are a number of relocated buildings on site, including the Bramley Group School, Cowaramup Group House and a blacksmiths. The former pottery workshop has undergone extensive refurbishment and is now The Hairy Marron Cafe featuring a deck which overlooks the Margaret River.

Nearby and connected via a bridge over the Margaret River is Rotary Park, which is home to a vintage steam locomotive known as Kate. Built in England in 1889, shipped to the region in 1890 and used for log hauling in the area until 1909, the eight-tonne locomotive was used at sawmills in Karridale, Jarrahdale and Marrinup, before being sold in 1917 and used at Wyndham until 1962. In her retirement, Kate was bought by the Margaret River Rotary Club and displayed at Rotary Park. Kate is the only remaining engine built for the Karridale timber industry.

While walking along Ten Mile Brook Dam Trail starting from Rotary Park and around The Old Settlement, keep an eye out for the white-breasted robin, golden whistler and other bush birds. This is also a great spot for wildflowers in the spring!