Learmonth Jetty wasn’t just an Exmouth icon – it was one of the best land-based fishing platforms in Western Australia – but the great fishing experiences it provides to local and visiting fishers alike were lost when it was closed in October 2025.
In this article, which features in the latest edition of Western Angler magazine, we take a look at jetty’s legacy and efforts Recfishwest is supporting to see it replaced with a new jetty.
If you think of Busselton and fishing, the town jetty springs to mind. In Esperance, generations have cut their teeth either on the old Tanker Jetty or more recently the 415m long structure which opened in 2021. Carnarvon’s old One Mile Jetty, though now a shadow of its former self, still looms large in WA fishing folklore.
These places go beyond being good fishing spots. They become part of a region’s cultural fabric – platforms for family time, shared stories and the moments that spark a lifelong passion for fishing.
For the Gascoyne, Learmonth Jetty was one of those places.
Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s great sportfishing destinations, it offered something rare – genuine, high-quality fishing access for everyone. No boat required – no perfect conditions needed, just a rod or a handline even, a bit of gear and the patience for a fish to show up. And often you wouldn’t have too long to wait.
Local fishing identity and Exmouth Tackle and Camping owner Steve Riley has fished the region for more than 20 years and says the jetty’s appeal was universal.
“Learmonth Jetty wasn’t just an Exmouth icon – it was one of the best land-based fishing platforms in Western Australia,” he said. “It didn’t matter if you were a beginner or a seasoned fisho – everyone could catch fish there.
“You could pick up bream, scad or tarwhine off the beach, then walk the jetty and hook trevally, tuna, mackerel or even a sailfish.
“The place was black with squid ink. One bloke told me he caught a squid with his bare hands at night – they were that thick. It was the complete fishing package.
“Families would camp on the beach and spend the whole day there, just fishing and enjoying themselves. Pick up any guide or look online – if you’re reading about fishing in Exmouth, Learmonth Jetty is always part of the story.”
Find the bait, find the predators
Stretching into deeper and cleaner water – the jetty consistently held baitfish, and as most fishers know, where there’s bait, predators follow. Queenfish smashing the surface, trevally cruising the pylons, while mangrove jack darted around the structure. Even the occasional GT would turn up to test your gear and your nerve.
As Recfishwest’s jetties and infrastructure program coordinator Levi De Boni puts it, it was “one of those places where anything can happen.”
For travelling fishers, it was often the first stop after landing or driving into town. For locals, it was a reliable, social and deeply familiar fishing spot. For kids, it was often where the passion began.
A deepfelt community loss
Since its closure in October 2025 due to safety concerns, that experience has been lost. This wasn’t just about losing a structure. It was the loss of a community hub, a place where stories were made and retold over decades.
For visitors, it removed one of the most accessible and unique fishing experiences in the region. For locals, it took away a space that blended recreation, connection and identity.
And for Recfishwest, it reinforced something long understood – access matters.
Why jetties matter
Across Western Australia, jetties and fishing platforms play a role that goes far beyond their footprint. They are the most inclusive fishing infrastructure you can build.
“Not everyone owns a boat. Not everyone can safely fish off rocks or remote beaches. But a well-designed jetty levels the playing field – providing safe, reliable access to productive fishing for people of all ages and abilities,” Levi said.
They are often where first fish are caught. Where knowledge is passed down. Where strangers become mates over a shared bucket of bait and a good run of fish. They support regional tourism, activate local economies and keep people connected to the water in a way that is simple, accessible and enduring.
Quiet advocacy, real outcomes
While the loss of Learmonth Jetty is obvious, the work to replace it is less visible. Recfishwest has met with the Shire of Exmouth and local stakeholders to keep the issue front-of-mind and help shape a path forward including putting a plan in place to to secure funding. That starts with listening – understanding what fishers value most, whether that’s location, design, accessibility or fishing performance.
It also means ensuring that when opportunities arise – through planning processes or funding – the case for a replacement is clear, credible and backed by the community.
Importantly, this isn’t about imposing a solution. It’s about making sure any replacement reflects what fishers actually want and need.
A chance to build something better
“Replacing a jetty is not quick or simple. It requires planning, design, approvals and funding – a process that can take years,” said Levi. “But it also presents a rare opportunity. It’s a chance to rethink what comes next – to design something that better meets the needs of today’s fishers, improves accessibility and enhances fishing outcomes.
“We are already having discussions around alternative locations, potentially bringing the opportunity closer to town.
“There’s definitely a sense of what’s been lost, but there’s a chance to build something even better if it’s done right.”
The bigger picture
The push to replace Learmonth Jetty is part of a broader effort across WA to improve fishing access through jetties and platforms. A big part of our election platform was around fishing jetties and infrastructure, and we were able to secure more than $5 million of investment in new or upgraded fishing platforms from the Labor Government as a result.
From new metro projects to upgrades and replacements in regional communities, the goal is consistent – making sure every West Australian can enjoy great fishing, close to home.
At its core, this isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about ensuring fishing remains accessible, inclusive and part of everyday life in this State.
Sometimes, that starts with a simple structure stretching out into the blue – and the possibility that, on any given day, anything could bite.
- Thank you to Western Angler for their kind permission to reproduce this article on our website. As a Recfishwest member benefit, you are entitled to 10 per cent off an annual subscription of Western Australia’s only dedicated fishing magazine. More info here
