Triathlon Tour Guide: Busselton, Western Australia

Published June 2, 2016 08:42PM

Train Like an Aussie

GO
For the Busselton Festival of Triathlon, a weekend of racing that includes an Ironman 70.3, open-water swim and fun run. This beach town offers sunshine, warmth and picture-perfect race conditions.

FLY
Into Perth Airport, 2 hours away. Opt for the scenic route through the Ludlow Tuart Forest for a tight, winding path through tall gray tuarts (eucalyptus trees) and verdant peppermint trees.

STAY
The Broadwater Beach Resort (rates from $125 per night, Beach.broadwaters.com.au) provides a variety of accommodation options from hotel rooms to three-bedroom villas. Kids will love exploring the sand dunes of Geographe Bay while you take advantage of easy access to miles of waterfront running paths and bike-friendly routes.

Fat Duck Cycles
Don’t let the name fool you—the Fat Duck is not for dawdling. This local bike shop and espresso bar serves as the hub for all things active in Busselton, from the social road rides leaving from the shop each day to the heart-pounding thrills on Burns Track, a nearby favorite of mountain bike enthusiasts.

Busselton Run Club
Every Wednesday evening at 5:45, a large group gathers at the Geographe Bay Yacht Club for miles and smiles. Though the group runs are quite social, members are playfully competitive, challenging each other to push the pace.

Busselton Jetty
Take your time walking to the end of the Southern Hemisphere’s longest jetty, which juts out 1.8 kilometers into the ocean. In addition to taking in beautiful ocean views, you can read about the jetty’s history on signs spaced along its length. If it’s a sunny day, take advantage and jump in; your swim workout will go by quickly in the crystal-clear waters, which allow you to see hundreds of species of fish, crabs, squid and eye-popping tropical corals.

Tuart Forest National Park
Busselton locals recommend all road cycling and running take place here for the true “Aussie Experience.” With views that cannot be replicated anywhere in the world, you’ll want to keep your phone camera at the ready in your jersey pocket. From an abundance of wildlife (including kangaroos and bandicoots) to the stunning Australian wildflowers in bloom, every route within the forest boundaries is worth exploring.

Fun for the Family

Whale watching
Humans aren’t the only ones who descend upon Busselton in droves—from September to December, humpback whales love to swim in the waters of Geographe Bay. The area is widely regarded as one of the top locations for whale watching, and plenty of boat charters are available to get you even closer to the massive beauties.

Snorkeling
Endless options abound for snorkeling and diving in Geographe Bay. For a truly unique experience, sign up for a night dive, which utilizes special masks and flashlights to uncover a vibrant, surreal world under water.

Race it!

December’s Ironman Western Australia is one of the largest triathlon events in the country, and for good reason: Athletes love the flat and fast course, while spectators love the family-friendly race village on and around Busselton Beach. Savor your race accomplishments at the iconic Goose Bar on the Busselton Jetty, where you can get a burger, a beer and a front-row seat to the rowdiest finish-line party in Australia.