- Australian Open Water Championships and OceanSwim Festival to be held in Busselton for third consecutive year
- Festival expected to attract thousands of spectators and competitors, and inject millions into WA economy
- Supported by Western Australian Government
Busselton will further bolster its reputation as a destination of choice for open water swimming events when it hosts the Australian Open Water Championships and OceanSwim Festival for a third consecutive year in 2025.
The Championships and Festival will take place at the iconic Busselton Jetty from 23-26 January 2025, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy as hundreds of elite athletes, community swimmers and spectators converge in Busselton.
The elite swimming event is supported by the Western Australian Government as well as the City of Busselton.
The event will see some of the country’s best open water swimmers face off in the Australian Open Water Championships, providing athletes with qualifying opportunities for the respective Masters, Open, and Junior International level events held later in 2025.
A repeat coup for Busselton’s local economy, the event has attracted a combined 4,300 visitors to the region over the past two years, generating close to $4.5 million in visitor expenditure for Australia’s South West.
The different courses, including the 500m, 1.25kilometre, 2.5km, and 10km Community Swims and the 5km, 7.5km, 10km, and a 4 x 1.25km relay contested for the Open Water Championships, will take place around the Busselton Jetty, allowing spectators to line the iconic structure to watch the races.
Outside of the water, the 60th Anniversary of the Festival of Busselton will be taking place, offering free family-friendly events and entertainment such as an outdoor cinema, twilight picnic and a concert on the foreshore.
The event will be hosted by Swimming Australia and supported by Swimming WA.
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As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
“It’s fantastic that the Australian Open Water Championships and OceanSwim Festival are returning to Busselton for a third year, in what is proving to be a very successful pairing for this event and destination.
“Busselton’s pristine beachfront with its sparkling blue water and iconic jetty provide the perfect place to stage this event, which will bring visitors from all over the nation, supporting local accommodation providers, hospitality businesses, and jobs.
“With services from Melbourne and Sydney flying into Busselton three times a week and the brand-new Hilton Garden Inn Busselton providing an increase in the amount of world-class accommodation available in town, it’s never been easier for visitors from the east coast to travel to Australia’s South West.”
As stated by Acting Regional Development Minister Dr Tony Buti:
“This event, which is being held in WA for a third consecutive year, shines a global spotlight on Australia’s South West and the beauty of the State’s natural wonders.
“Importantly, these events are also vital for supporting local businesses in the community and helping to diversify our regional economy.”
As stated by South West MLC Jackie Jarvis:
“We’re really excited to welcome competitors and spectators from both within the State and outside WA to this fantastic event in our region again in 2025, which brings in valuable visitor spending and supports local operators.
“These types of events always create a fantastic atmosphere in the community and with the 60th Anniversary of the Festival of Busselton also taking place, I certainly encourage locals to head down and check it out as well.”
