THE BUSSELTON JETTY UNDERWATER
OBSERVATORY
by Graeme Olsen
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
200,000 visitors a year (see below for some
of the reasons why). This is set to increase,
now that an underwater observation chamber
has been constructed.
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.
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Artist's impression of the
Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory.
© Copyright Busselton Jetty Environment
& Conservation Association
|
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 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, seals, and whales 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 $20.00 per adult and $11.50 per child. Jetty admission: $2.50 per adult, free for children under 15. The fees for entry to the jetty are used to maintain and develop the jetty.
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
September 2003
