The Busselton Jetty and Underwater Observatory

Construction of the Busselton Jetty commenced in 1853, to establish a docking platform for visiting American whaling ships. A more substantial structure was built in 1865, as the shipping trade had increased. Horse drawn trucks were originally used to shift cargo between the mainland. Timber and farm products were hauled out to the ships. Goods and passengers were then collected to be returned to the mainland.

However the jetty just kept getting longer. So in 1911, a connecting railway jetty was built to make the journey easier. Drift sand in the bay had shallowed the water depth beneath the jetty, necessitating major extensions in 1875. Extensions continued right up until the 1960's. Then in 1972, after more than a century of shipping service, the jetty was finally closed.


	The longest wooden structure in the Southern Hemisphere.		Any longer, and you would need an international passport to go fishing.

A Turn For The Worse: After closing in 1972, the jetty was no longer maintained, and the rot set in. So did attacking woodborers, and the odd fire. On April 4th, 1978, Cyclone Alby destroyed a 580 metre section between the shore, and the railway jetty junction. This explains why the jetty seems to take a strange right turn out at sea. Fortunately some local towns folk recognised the historical significance of the jetty, and what a great money spinner it would be for Busselton. Funds were raised, and the jetty was partially restored. After many good years of enjoyment, a structural stability report was presented to the Busselton Shire Council on April Fools Day 2009, which suggested the jetty was very dodgy beyond the 200 metre mark. From April 2nd 2009, the jetty was closed off at the 200 metre mark, just 1641 metres shy of the end. Restoration work is hoped to be completed sometime in 2010.

Prior to the 2009 closure, the jetty was 1841 metres long, and took about 25 minutes to walk at a leisurely pace. These days Usain Bolt could reach the end in a paltry 19.30 seconds.

The Busselton Jetty was once used by fisherpersons, power walkers, and tourists visiting the Underwater Observatory. Today it is mainly used by sea gulls, and people wanting to walk 200 metres.

Tickets to the Underwater Observatory were once purchased at the Interpretive Centre, located at the entrance to the jetty. If you forgot to pre-purchase your ticket, Life On Perth estimated you had to complete an impressive 7.364 km's of jetty walking to set things right. That excluded any swimming components if you fell off.

Scuba diver lurking around the jetty pylons.

The Underwater Observatory is a 9.5 metre diameter chamber that descends 8 metres to the seabed. Viewing windows are located at various levels on the way down, allowing visitors to marvel at the colour of the aquatic life. Being located in the open ocean, anything could swim into view.

NOTE: Please talk quietly in the observatory, as the fish are sensitive to both noise and criticism.

Bright coral on a jetty pylon.

More than 300 different species of marine life have been recorded beneath the jetty. Bright coral growth would not normally occur this far south, as the water is generally too cold at these latitudes (33 degrees south). However the Leeuwin Current brings a band of warm water down south, which encourages a rich diversity of marine life.


Diver annoying some school fish.		Viewing decks are located on all levels.