From the Coast to the Red Dirt – Pilbara Roadshow 2025 Wrap-Up 

For two incredible weeks from July 28 to August 9, our Busselton Jetty Education Team swapped turquoise waters for red dirt, travelling 1,562 kilometres across the Pilbara to deliver a Sea of Discovery to some of Western Australia’s most remote communities. 

Thanks to the generous support of our long-term partner Rio Tinto and the Qantas Regional Grants Program, this year’s Pilbara Roadshow inspired around 330 students across five schools and 14 classrooms in Karratha, Dampier, Pannawonica, Tom Price, and Paraburdoo. 

Taking the Ocean to the Outback 

Led by Senior Guides Sally Bolt, Chantell Field, and Kerry Linham, the team delivered free marine science incursions packed with hands-on learning. Students explored how inland waterways connect to our oceans, used technology like ROVs to investigate marine ecosystems, and even took an immersive VR dive beneath Busselton Jetty’s Underwater Observatory—all without getting wet! 

“It’s incredible to see students so far from the coast light up with curiosity about the ocean,” said Sally Bolt. “It shows that you don’t have to live by the sea to care for it.” 

Highlights from the Road 

• Pegs Creek Primary (Karratha) and Dampier Primary where we reached over 140 students in years 1 through 6 
• Pannawonica Primary – 64 students learning how to be ocean guardians. 
• FeNaClNg Festival, Karratha – Meeting the community, sharing ocean science, and a live feature on ABC Great Southern Radio. 
• Karijini National Park – A chance to explore WA’s stunning inland landscapes on our days off. 
• Tom Price Primary – Reconnecting with one of the first schools to join our virtual excursions in 2023. 
• Paraburdoo Primary – 61 students  
• A guided tour of Rio Tinto facilities with local representatives.

By the Numbers – Pilbara Roadshow Fun Facts 

More Than Just a Jetty 

This roadshow builds on the success of our 2023 virtual excursion program, launched with Rio Tinto’s support, which livestreamed marine science lessons from Busselton Jetty to remote classrooms. For many of the students we visited on this trip, it was the first time they’d met our educators face-to-face. 

“This trip reminded us that Busselton Jetty is more than just a jetty—it’s a living classroom that can travel anywhere,” said Chantell Field. 

We are also deeply grateful to Qantas for supporting this initiative through the Qantas Regional Grants Program, which helped make this journey possible. 

“The Qantas Regional Grant enabled us to connect with more communities than ever before,” said Kerry Linham. “We were able to share our ocean message, build relationships, and show that even from hundreds of kilometres away, the ocean matters to us all.” 

Looking Ahead 

Whether it’s beneath the waves in Geographe Bay or standing in the red dirt of the Pilbara, our mission remains the same: to inspire, educate, and protect our oceans for future generations. 

Busselton Jetty is more than just a jetty—it’s a sea of discovery. 

Want to Know More?

If you’d like to stay up to date with our school programs or register your interest in hosting a Busselton Jetty incursion, visit the BJEF page and register your interest – we’d love to hear from you!