Record broken as Busselton Jetty popularity booms

With almost 375,000 people buying tickets to the Busselton Jetty and its attractions, the iconic Western Australian destination has experienced its best ever financial year in 2023/24.

According to Jetty chief executive Lisa Shreeve, the overall 15 percent increase in ticket sales showed the 1.841km long structure was still popular with visitors from all over the world.

“The Jetty continues to be a bucket list item with visitors from Singapore, Malaysia and India increasing steadily year on year,” Ms Shreeve said.

“This is great news as more tourists mean more income for the Jetty Maintenance Reserve as 25 percent of all ticket sales goes to ongoing preservation of the heritage listed icon.”

Nearly 375,000 people purchased tickets for the Underwater Observatory (UWO), Train, Sculpture Park Dive or Snorkel or Walk tickets in the 23/24 financial year, with UWO Mini Tours the greatest increase of 45 percent.

Busselton Jetty Inc, the not-for-profit organisation which operates the businesses on the Jetty, contributed $1.33m to Jetty maintenance last financial year from ticket sales.

“And it was great news that the City of Busselton on August 1, agreed to allow Busselton ratepayers to access the Jetty free of charge, enabling people to enjoy this community recreation facility any time they please,” Ms Shreeve added.

She said while NSW and Victorian visitation numbers had increased slightly due to the direct flights into Busselton, the biggest increase had come from international tourists returning post-COVID.

“The Underwater Sculpture Park has received international publicity and we work hard with our Trade partners to promote Busselton around the world, which results in about $110 million indirectly coming into town each year, supporting 100 jobs in hospitality, retail and other sectors that benefit,” Ms Shreeve said.