Historic Busselton Jetty

What’s over 150 years old, almost 2km long, and has an underwater observatory? It’s the South-West’s historic Busselton Jetty.

A Fascinating Past

Busselton Jetty opened in 1865 at just 176m – a fraction of its current-day length. To demonstrate how old it is, for reference, it was built before the telephone, the incandescent light bulb, the can-opener, and even before blue jeans became a thing. It was in existence even before the six British colonies ‘Down Under’ decided to become the Federation of Australia.

It played a large role in the timber, agricultural, whaling and tourism industries, but in 1972 it closed as a shipping port after having serviced 5000 ships over its 107-year history. The jetty also survived the 1999 fire that engulfed it and destroyed 70m of timber, as well as being severely damaged in 1978’s Cyclone Alby.

Cyclone Alby’s devastation. Credit: busseltonjetty.com.au

Current-Day Activities

Busselton Jetty has been reborn as a tourism drawcard. The longest timber-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere, it is one of the highest-rated attractions online and offers a range of activities:

• An underwater observatory, with additional night-time tours in peak season
• A train along 1.7kms of the jetty. There’s a sunset train in summer
• Mermaid tours
• The Cultural Heritage Museum
• Deep Sea Pool
• Prosecco and Pastels

The view from the underwater observatory. Credit: busseltonjetty.com.au

The Jetty organisation is also involved in marine research in Geographe Bay.

Special Events

In addition to sunset tours and night-time observatory viewing, Busselton Jetty hosts other special events. These include wedding hire, observatory function hire, Underwater Dinners and other special events throughout the year.

Busselton foreshore playground

What you need to know before you go

The jetty is open 24 hours every day of the year to stroll on. The Interpretive Centre with the cultural museum and hire facilities is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week, the jetty train from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the underwater observatory from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The train and underwater observatory sometimes have night tours, so contact the Jetty for more information.

Where:           Busselton beachfront at the end of Queen Street in Busselton
Email:             bookings@busseltonjetty.com.au
Website:         www.busseltonjetty.com.au
Phone:            (08) 9754 0900
Costs:              Varies, depending on the activity

Private Properties have a number of holiday homes close to historic Busselton Jetty and Geographe Bay. Explore your options here.

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