The One Mile Jetty

Previous blogs have explained the walk out here, and also the Heritage Museum which is at the start of the jetty. Now here is the jetty itself. It is the longest in the north wets of Western Australia.



(Left - the introduction board for the jetty, with all the facts and details)


The jetty was constructed in 1897, originally wholly of jarrah. There are nearly 1000 pylons in the jetty, with them forming an artificial reef at the end, which makes it a popular fishing spot for locals.


(Right - the start of the jetty and the usual "legal" sign obsolving liability for anyone who goes onto the jetty)



It was constructed to accomodate State Ships bringing supplies and passengers from Perth. It also allowed the export of livestock and wool from the area. The first live export o sheep occured in 1900.

The tramway was added in 1900 and cost Pounds 4248/2/4. Initial wagons were horse drawn and also sail mounted driven by wind power. In 1908 steam waws introduced with the engine "Kia-Ora", leter replaced by the "Kimberley", which is now fully restored in the Museum.


(Left - these rail tracks lead onto the jetty from the various sheds in the Museum)

(Right - after the big build up, the conveyance onto the jetty is rather a let down. The pulled car is quite open and the engine is a converted car engine with a child like body!!)

(Left - the trip out on the jetty takes a while as speed is limited to "walking pace". The driver does not need to concentrate too much as the rails guide the engine and car)

(Right - A rail runs along one side of the jetty, but the other is open, and with a stiff breeze it can be quite daunting at the end, surrounded by water)

(Left - the driver sits in his cab)

(Right - further out the jetty is over the water- even though it is quite shallow at this stage. Further out it gets deeper, and much windier)

(Left - now we are out past the beach, and the wind and the waves are getting stronger)

(Right - In 2007 there was a fire about halfway out on the jetty. It severaly damaged a number of planks and made the jetty hazardous. Consequently they closed it partially for safety. However, this did not deter the locals, who cut a hole in the fence netting to gain access to their beloved fishing grounds. Whilst I was in town the local newspaper ran an article on the hazards. On the day that I visited, another chap turned up with several containers of fishing gear. The little train has a rack on the back to carry such items. These were loaded. HOWEVER when we reached the barrier, we found that the hole had been securely closed up. So our earstwhile fisherman loaded all his stuff back on the train, and we backed up to the shore again. He decided to go somewhere else!!)

(Left - at the current turn around point, looking further out to the end - that should be re-opened in late February)

(Right - we back up to the shore again. Note the tracks and the way they have been distorted by the wave action on the jetty pylons)