Bunbury is a city that is just a few hours drive from Perth, and has accommodation of many types and prices. It is the gateway to the South West and would make a good "hub" on a family holiday. The following list will give you some idea of some of the things you can do in Bunbury.
1. BUNBURY WILDLIFE PARKThis wildlife park has an incredible array of animals and some of these include:
NATIVE BIRDS
Eastern Long-billed Corella
EXOTIC BIRDS
REPTILES
Northern Blue Tongue Lizard
Western Shingleback Lizard
With a line up like this, plus more, this is definitely a place to take the family to, and learn about some of our animals.
The Bunbury Wildlife Park is located on Prince Philip Drive in South Bunbury and it is opposite the Big Swamp Parkland and adjacent to a fabulous children's playground.
It is open seven days a week from 10 am to 5 pm and admission cost is $10.50 for adults; Concession: $8.50; Children (3 to 16 years): $5.50; Family (2 adults and 2 children): $28.50; and children under 3 are free.
2. DOLPHIN DISCOVERY CENTRE
This is situated at Koombana Drive and Koombana Bay is home to local wild Bottlenose Dolphins who regularly visit.
The centre operates from October to April each year and hours are from 8 am till 4 pm and from May to October 9 am till 2 pm.
This is Australia's premier wild dolphin destination where you can visit the centre and learn more about these magnificent animals.
The Dolphin Discovery Centre is home to a discovery pool, aquariums, 360 degree digital dolphinarium, scheduled guided site tour, 3D & 2D movies, cafe and souvenir shop.
There is also the Interaction Zone where the wild dolphins often come to interact with visitors, and admission costs for this centre are $10 for adults; $5 concession and students; Children 4 to 14 $5; and $25 for a family of 4.
3. SWIM WITH DOLPHINS OR DOLPHIN BOAT CRUISES
This is an adventure which you can also do through the Discovery Centre, and the Dolphin Eco Cruise goes around the Bay.
The Dolphin Eco Cruise lasts for one and a half hours within Koombana Bay. The boat has a viewing platform getting you as close as possible to the dolphins without getting your feet wet. You can see more about this
here.
You could also swim with the dolphins in their own environment on one of these magical tours! This will be an intimate swim where visitors will be accompanied by an experienced guide and trained volunteers. You will go into the open waters of Koombana Bay and depending on dolphin sightings, you will be guided into the water where the dolphins often initiate interaction with the swimmers.
Cost for this exciting adventure is $165.
4. BUNBURY REGIONAL ART GALLERY
The Art Gallery is situated in 64 Wittenoom Street and the building is a distinctive pink, is a former convent, and is in the centre of Bunbury being a two-minute stroll to the CBD.
This is the premier public art gallery in the South West and has four separate formal exhibition spaces as well as community exhibition facilities. They often have exhibitions here as well as public programmes, events, functions, classes and workshops.
5. LIGHTHOUSE
This is quite a steep climb to get to the top and this lighthouse is relatively new. There were several alterations to the previous lighthouses that were used in Bunbury to guide the ships safely into Koombana Bay.
In 1959, the cast iron tower was raised in height with a cylindrical extension and new lantern; these parts were then incorporated into the present lighthouse when it was built in 1970. The height of the lighthouse is now 37 metres above sea level and is visible for twenty kms in clear weather.
6. MARLSTON HILL LOOKOUT TOWER
You can walk to the top of the unusually shaped Marlston Hill Lookout Tower to enjoy incredible panoramic views over Bunbury Harbour and Koombana Bay.
It stands on the site of the original Bunbury lighthouse, and you can walk from here to the Lighthouse.
Built as part of Western Australia's Bicentennial celebrations in 1988, from this tower you have sweeping views over the city of Bunbury, several popular beaches, the breakwater and the actual habour, and if you are lucky, you will also see the dolphins. It is situated in Apex Drive.
7. BUNBURY MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTRE
This museum is at 1 Arthur Street and is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, except on major public holidays.
The City of Bunbury authorised a Collection Policy in 2014, and since then the Museum team has collected thousands of items, including digital images to large and heavy objects such as the "drive-in cinema projector, rowing 4, and pulpit". Each piece has a story to tell, and each story is relevant to the Bunbury community.
Displays are frequently changed as new artefacts are donated or found, and all collection objects are carefully assessed before being put on display.
8. BUILDINGS OF INTEREST
There are several building that are interesting to look at and these are:
King Cottage Museum (1880)
St Mark's Church (1842) – the second oldest church in WA
Old Railway Station Bunbury
In the Leschenault Inlet, the southern-most mangroves in Western Australia have about 60 species of water bird. You can walk down this boardwalk that winds its way through the heart of the mangroves and along the edge of the inlet. The wooden boardwalk has attractive carved features and is a short loop with two entrances.
There is also a shipwreck trail detailing the adventures and mishaps of early explorers. You can find out more about this
here.
Why not spend a week or so in this interesting city, you will find even more to do once you are there and it is all family friendly.
