The jetty has survived Cyclone Alby in 1978, borers, weathering, several fires, and the threat of demolition, to have become a major regional tourist attraction.

[5] In 1875 an additional 143 metres[4] was added to the original structure, as over 10 years' accumulation of drift sands had made the water too shallow for mooring.

Once closed, government maintenance of the jetty ceased and it began to deteriorate, suffering attack by wood borers, rot and the occasional fire.

[14] On 4 April 1978, Cyclone Alby swept south down the Western Australian coast from the North-West (a rare occurrence) and destroyed a large part of the shore end of the jetty.

Subsequently, townspeople banded together to try to save the jetty and eventually persuaded the State Government and the Shire Council to provide some much needed funds for repair.

[27][28] In addition, an accompanying "village" containing food and beverage outlets as well as spaces for weddings and corporate functions was also planned for the end of the jetty.

[30][31][32] In early 2023 a number of steel and concrete sculptures began to be installed underwater underneath and alongside the jetty to create an artificial reef and diving trail.

The Interpretive Centre features a museum that gives visitors a glimpse into the jetty's past and its future, and also contains a gift shop and a point of sale for tickets for the train and underwater observatory.

The underwater observatory is located 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) from shore – almost at the end of the Busselton Jetty – and can accommodate up to 40 people at a time in its 9.5-metre (31 ft) diameter observation chamber.

[35] The onshore facility, located in the nearby Railway House, features interactive displays and immersive exhibits of Australia’s offshore marine parks.

It has been partially designed to cater to visitors when inclement weather forces jetty-based attractions such as the train or underwater observatory to close, as well as those with limited time to explore.