A new underwater sculpture trail is now open in Busselton

By Liz Whitehead
hero media
Witness the magic of the marine world in Busselton’s new underwater sculpture trail.

At a whopping 1.84-kilometres-long, Busselton Jetty is the longest tourist jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. But there’s more than meets the eye to this Western Australian landmark. Beneath the water, the submerged timber and concrete pillars form an artificial reef, hosting more than 300 species of marine life.

This year, a new underwater sculpture trail has opened at the jetty, featuring 13 giant statues that blend art with the natural beauty of the blue planet. Visitors can snorkel, swim and dive through Busselton’s natural aquarium, admiring the theatrical works by local artists that sponges and corals have colonised. The sculptures have successfully created an artificial reef, with marine life taking hold just hours after the sculptures were lowered onto the ocean floor.

A mermaid and octopus sculpture by Daniel Fisher.

The trail features large-scale works by local artists, including ‘The Mermaid’s Muse’ by artist Daniel Fisher.

“Simply put, man built a jetty, but Mother Nature created the reef," Busselton Jetty’s website states.

Highlights include a bronze mermaid, a 10-metre-long Southern Right Whale and a replica of the SS Poseidon shipwreck that was created in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum.

The environmental manager at Busselton Jetty is Marine Biologist Sophie Teede, who has been recognised by David Attenborough and won the United Nation’s Annual Marine Studies Award for her unique method of using the jetty’s piles to rehabilitate marine life.

The Southern Right Whale by Alan Meyburgh

Marine life took to the sculptures almost immediately, including ‘The Southern Right Whale’ by Alan Meyburgh.

There will be signposts to guide visitors on the underwater trail and plenty of fish flitting about the displays. For those who would rather stay dry, the fascinating Underwater Observatory at Busselton Jetty is one of only six in the world, where you can descend eight metres below the ocean’s surface to view the vibrant marine habitat on the Jetty’s piles.

The Bronze Mermaid by Cerys Heyring

‘The Bronze Mermaid’ by Cerys Heying was specially designed to maximise space for corals and sponges to proliferate.

Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
See all articles
Things to do in Margaret River
Margaret River

A local’s guide to the top things to do in Margaret River

From the latest to the greatest, here’s how to make the most of Margaret River.

Read more
an aerial view of the Busselton Jetty, Geographe Bay
Margaret River

Our insider’s guide to the top things to do in Busselton

This not-so-secret Western Australian coastal town will have you wishing you could linger longer.

Read more
vineyard views at Vasse Felix, Margaret River
Margaret River

20 unmissable Margaret River wineries

From the uber-sustainable to kid-friendly estates, these Margaret River wineries have all bases covered.

Read more
Margaret River camping
Margaret River

10 of the best Margaret River camping spots

Planning to go camping in Margaret River? We’ve got all the information you’ll need before you go.

Read more
hero media

Australia’s first and only underwater winery is hiding in Margaret River

    By Taylah Darnell
    Continue
    This is wine redefined, from the sea floor to your glass.

    Australia is known for its diverse wine regions that produce top drops in droves. We’re home to the best shiraz in the world and some of the coolest oenophile-approved experiences you can find. But this WA venture is taking it to new depths – literally. Welcome to Australia’s first underwater winery.

    Underwater wine: how it works

    It may be situated among Western Australia’s famed Margaret River wineries, but Subsea Estate doesn’t resemble your typical vineyard. Instead of unfolding across verdant hills, its cellar door can be found off the coast near the town of Augusta, where the Southern and Indian oceans meet.

    Augusta in Western Australia

    The winery is hidden underwater off WA’s coast. (Image: Ryan Murphy)

    A 20-metre dive below the ocean’s surface, the 413-hectare estate comprises specially crafted wine barrels anchored to the sea floor. It’s an intricately designed production process that is painstakingly adhered to by the team at Subsea, made up of leading wine pioneers from both Australia and abroad. But why? And what is the result?

    The technique was first introduced by French company Winereef, which has spent over 17 years perfecting its world-first subsea winemaking operation. The concept posits that the ocean’s current and natural sway stirs the wine and keeps the yeast in suspension, which creates a secondary fermentation process.

    Subsea Estate in Augusta, Western Australia

    The wine barrels are secured to the sea floor by specialist divers.

    Hydrostatic pressure, the weight produced by the water column pressing down on an object due to gravity, allows the yeast to produce flavour notes not available on land.

    But it doesn’t stop there, because the ocean’s energy is constantly changing, and each batch produced is completely unique. The wines all have their own character, touched by Mother Nature in a different way and offering the truest expression of each season.

    How to experience it for yourself

    If you’re intrigued, you’re not the only one. Subsea Estate’s innovative winemaking process has attracted attention from across the country – which is why its cellar door is open to the public seven days a week. And no, you won’t be pairing your wine with a scuba suit.

    Subsea Estate in Augusta, Western Australia

    The Subsea cellar door sits on Augusta Boat Harbour. (Image: Lauren Trickett)

    Sitting pretty back on land in Augusta Boat Harbour, Subsea Estate invites guests to sip its one-of-a-kind creations with views of the ocean that nurtured them. While walk-ins are welcome, the best way to explore Subsea’s range is with a guided experience. Join a member of the team for a 90-minute Subsea Estate & Rare Foods Abalone and Wine Tour.

    That’s right – not only is Subsea home to some of the world’s most innovative wines, it’s also in one of Australia’s top seaside towns for seafood. Your tour starts in the on-site abalone facility, where you’ll witness firsthand how these premium seafood delicacies are prepared for export. Guests can get up close to the tanks and even hold a live abalone if they wish.

    Ocean-stirred wines are paired with fresh abalone. (Image: Lauren Trickett)

    From there, you’ll be led to Subsea’s cellar door, where you can watch local fishermen return with their catch across Flinders Bay from the sunny deck. Not only will your host walk you through the entire winemaking process, but you’ll enjoy the results firsthand – paired perfectly with the fresh abalone from earlier.

    The details

    Subsea Estate is located in the town of Augusta, around a 3.5-hour drive south of Perth. The cellar door is open from Monday to Sunday, 9am–4pm. Bookings for the Subsea Estate & Rare Foods Abalone and Wine Tour are essential. The experience is priced at $89 per person and can accommodate groups of up to 15 people. While the tour allows for up to 1.5 hours, guests are encouraged to linger for as long as they please.