The ANZAC Day Long Weekend at Abbey Beach Resort

The ANZAC Day Long Weekend at Abbey Beach Resort: Three Days, No Rush

ANZAC Day in Busselton is something you feel before you fully understand it. The air is cooler now. Autumn has quietly settled over Geographe Bay, and the town has a different energy to the one you might know from summer. Softer. More reflective. The kind of energy that suits a long weekend where remembrance and rest sit comfortably side by side.

In 2026, ANZAC Day falls on Saturday 25 April, and Western Australia observes Monday 27 April as the public holiday. That gives you three full days: one for honouring, one for exploring, and one for doing absolutely nothing. Abbey Beach Resort is your anchor for all of it.

Before you arrive

The ANZAC Day long weekend works best when you arrive the day before. Friday evening, if you can manage it. Drive down while the light is still golden, unpack without rushing, and let the first night at Abbey Beach Resort become part of the experience. A quiet dinner at Reflections Restaurant, an evening walk along the beach, and an early night. You have a 5:45am start tomorrow, and it matters.

What to pack

April in Busselton sits in the sweet spot between mild and cool. Mornings can be crisp, especially before dawn. Pack a warm jacket for the Dawn Service, comfortable walking shoes, something smart-casual for a long lunch, and your usual resort essentials. If you are cycling at any point over the weekend, bring sunglasses and a light windbreaker.

Day 1: Saturday 25 April - Remembrance, Connection, and a Gentle Afternoon

5:15am: Wake and walk to the Dawn Service

The Busselton Dawn Service takes place at 5:45am at the Busselton War Memorial in Rotary Park. The memorial is a quietly powerful place, with bronze plaques bearing the names of 180 Busselton servicemen and women from the First World War. Arrive a few minutes early, stand in the darkness, and let the ceremony settle over you. Dress warmly, as April mornings have a bite to them.

7:00am: Breakfast back at the resort

Head back to Abbey Beach Resort for a quiet, slow breakfast. If you are staying in a self-contained apartment, this is a good moment to cook and eat on the balcony while the bay is still and silver.

9:15am: The March and Morning Service (optional)

If you wish to continue the commemorations, the march steps off at 9:15am down Queen Street, arriving at the War Memorial for the morning service at 9:35am. This is often a good option for families with children.

11:00am: A long, unhurried lunch

Choose somewhere with a warm interior and good wine. An autumn glass of Cabernet Sauvignon from the nearby Margaret River region is one of the South West's quiet pleasures. If the weather is mild, a foreshore lunch allows you to enjoy the golden autumn light.

2:00pm: Afternoon reset

Let the afternoon unfold without structure. Swim in the heated indoor pool, read, or nap. This is the part of the day where the long weekend starts to feel like an actual holiday.

5:30pm: Sunset walk on the beach

Walk along the beach from the resort and watch the sun drop. April sunsets are atmospheric with deep colours and soft air.

7:00pm: Dinner in or out

Keep dinner simple. Cook in your apartment or dine at Reflections Restaurant at the resort for a relaxed setting that doesn't require driving.

Day 2: Sunday 26 April - Exploring: Autumn in the South West at its Best

8:30am: A proper brunch to start the day

Where Saturday was reflective, Sunday is for curiosity. Start with a slow brunch and good coffee either at the resort or a local cafe.

10:00am: Choose your adventure

Option A: Margaret River wine region drive - Visit cellar doors during harvest season when the vines are gold and amber. It is a 45-minute drive to the heart of the region.
Option B: Coastal walk and nature time - Walk a section of the Geographe Pathway or head 30 minutes inland to the Ludlow Tuart Forest to walk beneath 300-year-old trees.
Option C: A family-friendly Busselton day - Visit the Busselton Foreshore playground, ride the jetty train to the Underwater Observatory, and finish with fish and chips.

3:30pm: Afternoon at Abbey Beach Resort

Return to the resort to swim, play tennis, or relax in your apartment. This is the middle of the long weekend; protect this window of time to recharge.

6:30pm: A proper Sunday night dinner

This is the social peak of the weekend. Book a local restaurant you have been curious about, or cook a meal in your apartment using local produce and a bottle of Margaret River red.

Day 3: Monday 27 April - The Public Holiday: Slow Down, Soak It In

8:00am: Sleep in and take it slow

Monday is for recovery. Enjoy a morning with no alarms and no plans. A solo walk along the beach in the crisp morning light is highly recommended.

10:00am: One last outing

Keep it simple with a final coffee at your favourite spot or a last swim at the resort. Use the morning to pack without pressure.

12:00pm: Lunch and departure

Have one final lunch at a place that has become familiar over the weekend before driving home rested.

Practical Tips

Book early: ANZAC Day is popular and Busselton fills up quickly.
Prepare for autumn weather: Use layers, including a light jacket and a scarf for the Dawn Service.
Respect the day: Be present during ceremonies and put phones away.
Use the resort as your anchor: The heated pool and beach access make the resort a destination in itself.

Why it works

Some long weekends are about doing as much as possible. This one is not. The ANZAC Day long weekend in Busselton works because it gives you permission to slow down, to honour something important, and to let autumn in the South West remind you that the quieter seasons are often the most rewarding. Abbey Beach Resort places you at the centre of it all. Close enough to walk to the Dawn Service. Close enough to explore Margaret River's cellar doors. Close enough to the beach, the foreshore, the jetty. And comfortable enough that coming back always feels good. Three days. One meaningful morning. Two for exploring and resting. And a drive home where you actually feel better than when you left. That is the kind of long weekend worth planning for.