Busselton Jetty – The Longest Jetty in the Southern Hemisphere

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Travel in WA; Published: 14 December 2012

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Earlier this year, the famous Busselton Jetty overlooking Geographe Bay reopened after a major overhaul that cost $27 million dollars. Its claim to fame is for holding the record for the longest wooden (or timber-piled) jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at 1.9 kilometres. Post renovation, it is now in a much stronger position to maintain its special record.

At the jetty entrance, you will find the boat shed visitors centre – that’s if you don’t get distracted and find yourself at a few hundred metres away indulging at Simmo’s the local ice cream outlet! Do your best to tear yourself away and head back to the Visitors centre (which also has free entry to its interpretive centre and heritage museum), and you can walk off your ice cream along the length of this historic jetty for just $2.50 - around a dollar a kilometre! Or if you are feeling really lazy you can always catch the train that travels up and down the middle of the jetty for $11.

Since it was revamped, much of the wooden structure has been reinforced with strong concrete, bringing the jetty back into tip-top shape. Take a stroll with a friend or family along the jetty, and take the time to soak up the view while you catch up on news and gossip for the week. Before you know it, you will have reached the end of the line, and the Underwater Observatory.

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The Underwater Observatory is just the place for those who want to see marine life close up, but without the hassle of actually getting wet, and without scaring the marine life (or being scared by the marine life, as the case may be!). The 40 minute guided tour at the Underwater Observatory is informative and given by friendly guides who show you around the place, and entertain with their interesting stories of life at the jetty. Well worth the $30 entrance fee, and you even get a free trip back to the jetty entrance on the train!

Come evening time at the Jetty, the tourists vanish as the fishermen descend. Armed with fishing gear in tow, family groups and solo fisherman make their way to their favourite sections of the jetty to stake their spot for the evening. There is a relaxing quietness amidst their numbers as they sit patiently to see whether anything (hopefully a fish!) is willing to take a bite. It’s a night to be enjoyed, whether it is watching the sunset or making a hot cuppa to sip as the seagulls wheel and cry overhead (don't forget to keep an eye on your bait!)

If you are visiting during February, the unique Busselton Jetty swim is a challenging 3.6 km splash and dash around the jetty with family fun festivities running over the weekend. Do the swim solo or as part of a team – your choice. To be a competitor, you will want to plan ahead as it is a popular event that attracts people from all over.

Those feeling peckish can head to The Equinox Café or The Goose Café Restaurant for a meal or snack. Busselton Jetty…..a unique attraction of Busselton, Busso wouldn’t be the same without it.

How to Get There

Busselton in the south west is an easy 2 hour drive from Perth. The jetty is located in the foreshore area of Busselton, and if you head to the end of Queen Street you should be able to spot the jetty and get your bearings.

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