South West Life

Please note that the Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory is currently closed due to repair work on the jetty, and is expected to reopen in May 2010.

Where on earth can walk 2km out to sea along the southern hemisphere's longest wooden jetty, and then descend 8 metres to the seabed floor into an amazing marine world of fish and and coral? And all without getting your feet wet?

Busselton!

The Busselton Jetty, described as Australia's greatest artificial reef, currently gets 400,000 visitors a year (see below for some of the reasons why). This is on the increase, thanks to an underwater observation chamber that has been constructed at the end of the jetty.

The $3.6 million underwater observatory is designed to accommodate at least 40 people at a time, and includes 11 viewing windows at various levels within a 9.5 metre diameter chamber. Visitors are able to look out into an underwater garden teeming with marine life. A lift is provided so that people of all ages are able to enjoy this experience.

The story is that during autumn and winter each year, the Leeuwin current brings a narrow band of warm water down the WA coastline, which brings all sorts of tropical and sub-tropical marine life into Geographe Bay. This results in coral growth which is unheard of this far south anywhere else in the world. This phenomenon is responsible for a huge variety of fish and coral species living under the Jetty, with over 300 different species being recorded so far.

For those of you who don't know much about the Busselton Jetty, it's over 140 years old (heritage listed) and at almost 2km is the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere. It has occasionally been ravaged by fire and cyclones, but has survived due mostly to the massive community support it has in Busselton.

There is also a free Interpretive Centre available which provides a range of history, art and souvenirs, plus the chance to view the Jetty Marinecam which shows live pictures of what's happening underneath the jetty!

The jetty provides locals and tourists alike with beautiful experiences such as leisurely strolls while soaking in the sun and salt air, fantastic fishing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, watching dolphins in the bay, and just generally being amongst a group of very relaxed, very lucky people enjoying the great outdoors. I love the south west life.

And if you haven't been there before, here's the view:

Busselton Jetty, Geographe Bay, Busselton, Western Australia
© Copyright Christian Fletcher Photo Images

The current fees for the underwater observatory tours are $22.50 per adult and $13.00 per child. Jetty admission: $2.50 per adult, free for children under 15. The Jetty is a non profit organisation with all money going back to the Jetty’s restoration and maintenance.

It is vital that you call to book your observatory tour a few days in advance at least, as it is regularly booked out. The telephone number to book is (08) 9754 0900. Tell them you found them in South West Life!

If you'd like more information about this world class attraction, you can visit the Busselton Jetty website at www.busseltonjetty.com.au.

Life Beneath The Busselton Jetty - Jetty Pile Growth With School Of Yellowtail.
~ Underwater Images by Jeff Mullins - Reef Images