The amazing world beneath the West Australian sea is no longer strictly the domain of divers and snorkellers with the recent opening of the Busselton Jetty Underwater Observatory.
Described as Australia's greatest artificial reef, the Busselton Jetty is home to an awesome forest of brightly coloured corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates.
Now, after 10 years of planning and construction, an underwater observation chamber has opened, allowing visitors to get up close to these unique creatures - without dipping a toe into the water.
This $3.7 million structure is already becoming a major tourism drawcard for the popular seaside town. Sitting 8 metres below sea level, the observatory consists of a chamber with eleven windows at various levels to give a perfect view of the marine life and soft corals.
This remarkable natural aquarium has evolved from a combination of the warm waters of the Leeuwin current and the shade and protection provided by the jetty structure.
The current draws a diverse range of tropical and sub-tropical life into Geographe Bay with more than 300 individual species recorded under the jetty.
Designed to accommodate up to 40 people at a time, visitors access the observatory by travelling 1.6km from shore along the jetty, walking 200m to almost the end of the jetty and descending 60 stairs to 8m beneath the ocean surface. A restricted use lift within the observatory is available by arrangement to ensure that people of all ages and levels of mobility have access to one of Western Australia's unique natural wonders.
Already a popular tourism attraction, the Busselton Jetty is the longest timber pier in the southern hemisphere.
Around 400,000 people visit the Busselton Jetty and Interpretive Centre each year to learn more about its interesting history and spectacular marine ecosystem.