The Jetty Train, which had lain idle for six years because of the condition of the jetty, started operating again shortly afterwards.

The re-opening has sparked a busy year of operations for the train, Underwater Observatory and Interpretive Centre.

Busselton Jetty Environment and Conservation Association (BJECA) CEO Darryl Green said visitation to the Interpretive Centre, which remained open during the rebuild, had increased dramatically.

“Visitors are utilising the jetty to its full potential – often visiting the Underwater Observatory and riding the train then returning for a fish, walk or swim later in the day,” he said.

“In the month between Christmas and Australia Day the Underwater Observatory had close to 15,000 visitors. There have been 72,500 since we started operating again, while there have been more than 100,000 passengers on the train in the past 11 months.

“The highlight has undoubtedly been seeing so many of our community’s children and teenagers using the jetty for fun and recreation.”

The Jetty’s Underwater Observatory manager, Anna Micha, said the UWO had had some interesting sightings since it re-opened.

“There was a Queensland Groper in late December and we have had recent sightings of a large turtle, an Australian Sealion and Cardinal Fish.

“The male Cardinal Fish is looking after the eggs at the moment. They don’t eat for the 10 days it takes for the eggs to turn from pink to silver then to small fry before leaving their dad’s mouth into the water.

“You can see them from the windows of the observatory if you get them close enough. We also have a school of 22 batfish around the UWO at the moment with schools of tailor, herring and scad.”

Mr Green said features continued to be added to the jetty with the installation of train platforms, a disabled fishing platform and the introduction of Jetty Hosts in November.

The jetty was reopened by the Premier Colin Barnett at a gala event on February 5 last year.

It followed a $27 million rebuild of the jetty, of which the State Government contributed $24 million.