Busselton Jetty is a must when visiting the South West, we’ve been many times but this was our very first visit to the Underwater Observatory… and WOW it is extraordinary! The Underwater Observatory one of only six underwater observatories in the world and located 1.75km along the Busselton Jetty.
The Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory Tour includes a return train ride, a 40-minute guided tour of the Underwater Observatory and Jetty Day Pass.
The excitement of the day started with the train ride! The Stocker Preston Express electric jetty train is powered by solar panels and has been in operation since 2017 and can seat up to 90 passengers. My boys loved waving to all the walkers on the jetty, cheering for the jetty jumpers and trying to catch a glimpse of what the fishermen have caught. If you can hear of the kids squeals of excitement take time to listen to the pre-recorded guide which is played through speakers in each carriage where you’ll learn all about the history of the Busselton Jetty including how locals fought to save the jetty after Cyclone Alby.
If you are quick enough to jump off you can take a picture at the front of the train.
Arriving at the Observatory you are greeted by a tour guide who will take you on a tour of the different levels of the Underwater Observatory. The spiral staircase descends 8 meters to the ocean floor, at each level your guide will stop and talk about points of interest on that level. There are 11 large viewing windows throughout the Underwater Observatory.
40 minutes is plenty of time to stop and admire the marine life in their natural habitat and given the Busselton Jetty is home to more than 300 individual marine species and amazing corals… there is plenty to admire!
Once you have finished the guided tour you can wander up and down the Observatory at your own leisure. The ocean floor was a firm favourite for the kids where they saw lots of big fish and a scuba diver. If you are lucky you might even spot some mermaids!
Personally, I loved the 3-6 meter depth zone where you can really take in the colourful corals and sponges.
We had a little time to spear after our tour so we treated the kids to an ice cream and ventured out to the very end of the jetty which is 1.841km out to sea and 14,300km from Paris.
Returning to shore we visited the Interpretive Centre where there’s a beautiful range of gifts and merchandise available for purchase.
Ensure you book online, over the phone or at the Interpretive Centre. in advance to avoid disappointment.
Nearby the jetty is several places to grab a bite to eat including the brand new Shelter Brewing Co. The Busselton Foreshore Adventure Play Space is a must and it is pretty hard to resist taking a dip in the crystal blue waters!
During this visit to Busselton, we stayed at Broadwater Resort.
Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory
Queen St, Busselton
Open 9am to 6pm daily
www.busseltonjetty.com.au
Find more things to do in Busselton and Bunbury
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Kellie Elliott is an adventurous mum of four who’s turning Perth into her playground! When she’s not busy wrangling her little ones, you can find her on Instagram at Perth Mum Adventures, where she shares all her exciting adventures. From exploring new playgrounds to discovering off-the-beaten-path treasures, Kellie’s knack for turning everyday outings into thrilling adventures will leave you inspired and ready to explore the best that Perth has to offer!
