What is Busselton Jetty?
Busselton Jetty is a heritage-listed timber jetty in Geographe Bay, Western Australia. At about 1.8 kilometres long, it is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.
Construction began in 1865, and the jetty was extended several times to reach deeper water for ships loading timber. Shipping ended in the 1970s, and the jetty fell into disrepair until a restoration effort saved it.
A cyclone in 1978 damaged part of the structure, and the jetty was fully restored with new sections in the 2000s and 2010s. Today it is one of the most visited attractions in the South West.
Train and observatory
A small electric train carries visitors along the jetty to the end. There, the Underwater Observatory takes visitors about eight metres below the surface to see corals, fish and sponges growing on the old piles.
Many people walk or ride the jetty, swim beside it or snorkel and dive around it. The jetty hosts an annual long-distance swim.
Busselton is a beachside town about two and a half hours from Perth, and it is close to Margaret River.
Did You Know?
Over 300 marine species have been recorded living on the Busselton Jetty's piles.