Things to do in Australind, Western Australia

The best things to do on the Leschenault Peninsula in Australind, Western Australia, include walking trails, native Australian wildlife and Indian Ocean beaches.

Australind in Western Australia is effectively a northern suburb of Bunbury. It’s 12km to the north-east of central Bunbury, and often has the feel of a beach town that’s not quite on the ocean.

Australind was born in 1840, when the Western Australian Land Company bought land north of Bunbury. The company thought it was the perfect spot for breeding horses that could later be sold to India. And that’s where the name Australind came from – it’s a portmanteau of Australia and India.

What to book in Bunbury – 5 fabulous experiences.

Koombana Bay dolphin-watching cruise – the dolphins live in the bay, so you’ll definitely see them.
Geographe region wine tours – explore boutique wineries in the up-and-coming region.
Swimming with dolphins. They’re wild – this is not a dodgy aquarium experience.
Forest, wine and brewery day tours.
Dolphin Discovery Centre entrance tickets.

Historic buildings in Australind, WA

Given the age of the settlement, it’s no surprise that there are a few historic buildings in Australind. Perhaps the most interesting are Henton Cottage, which now hosts the tourist information centre, and the St Nicholas Anglican Church. The latter is tiny. It was originally a workman’s cottage built out of jarrah wood. The St Nicholas Anglican Church is often said to be the smallest church in Australia.

What is the Leschenault Estuary?

Australind sits on the Leschenault Estuary, which is essentially a lagoon. The Collie River used to flow into the sea at the Leschenault Inlet, but now it exits further north at the Cut, a man-made slicing through the Leschenault Peninsula.

Leschenault Inlet at Australind, Western Australia — The Leschenault Inlet at Australind, just to the north of Bunbury in Western Australia. Photo courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.

And it’s the Leschenault Peninsula that provides the most compelling reason to visit Australind. The Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park has several walking trails. The key Leschenault Peninsula walks kick off at the Belvidere car park. The 9km Harris Track heads all the way south to the Cut, via sand dunes and peppermint and tuart woodland. But the easier option is the 1.5km return Belvidere Interpretive Walk, which has signs explaining the local ecosystem.

Leschenault Peninsula wildlife near Australind, WA

There’s a good chance of spotting wildlife on these Leschenault Peninsula walks. Kangaroos, black cockatoos, pelicans and brushtail possums are common sights. Meanwhile, at the Cut, you’ll often see the dolphins of Koombana Bay. These are the ones you’ll encounter on the Dolphin Discovery Centre’s dolphin-watching cruises from Bunbury.

If you’re not into walking trails, then the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park also hosts two marvellous Indian Ocean Beaches. Take your pick from Buffalo Beach and Belvidere Beach.

Perth to Australind drive

Go direct, and the drive from Perth to Australind is 160km long, meaning a Perth to Australind driving time of one hour and 36 minutes.

It’s feasible to drop by Australind on the drive from Perth to Bunbury via Mandurah, Yalgorup National Park and Preston Beach. But it’s hard to justify staying in both Australind and Bunbury if you’re driving from Perth to Margaret River.

More towns and cities in Western Australia