We decided on a family outing day to the Bussleton Jetty, which we all really enjoyed. The Jetty itself is 1.8km and is the longest timber piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere! Jake and Col decided they would fish off the jetty, while Erin, Hamish and I caught the train to the end of the Jetty and did the underwater observatory tour. Be aware that you have to pay for entry to the jetty, $4 to go on the jetty, $13.50 for a train ride and the underwater observatory is $34 for an adult including the train ride. Overall we enjoyed the train ride and Underwater Observatory but wouldn’t say that it is good value for money. We are finding that around Margaret River the tourist attractions are overpriced. Such a pity because they are great spots to visit if it was just made a bit more affordable for families.
At the Underwater Observatory you can view what is happening below the jetty through various viewing windows at different depths. There were some really big schools of Taylor fish swimming around, Drummer, Batfish, Boarfish both large and small, and many, many more. There were huge schools of baby Anchovies that apparently migrate to SA when they are bigger. Some very beautiful coral too. It was difficult to get any good photos with the phone though.
The very fashion conscious, Jake Cunningham, unimpressed by his wife Erin snapping a quick shot of the fishing attire.
After the train ride and observatory tour we went to meet up with Jake and Col to see how their fishing adventure was going. They had caught a lot of small fish such as Trumpeters and Puffer fish, some Herring (Tommy) but nothing worth keeping.
Col did try using some as live bait but the bigger fish that he caught broke the line so he didn’t know what it was. Col did manage to catch an octopus with some assistance from another kind gentleman on the jetty. Col hooked the Octopus and the other guy used a Squid Jag to help get him out of the water.  He was quite a big Octopus too and it was exciting to watch.
We ended the day with some hot chips and drinks at ‘The Goose’ beachside bar and restaurant opposite the Bussleton Jetty.
Not surprising that Haim was totally wiped out after his big day 
Wow that is a long jetty .
How long did it take to get from start to finish ?
Erin, Haim and I walked half of it a few times but not end to end as Hamish wouldn’t make it. They say it takes approximately 25 minutes to walk to the end. We walked half way then back again and caught the train with Haim to the end where the underwater observatory is. It was a good day out x