What are the best things to do in Bunbury, Western Australia?

The best things to do in Bunbury, Western Australia are the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre, Bunbury Wildlife Park and Koombana Bay dolphin cruises.

After Perth, Bunbury is the second largest city in Western Australia. It has a population of just over 75,000 people, and acts as a gateway to the south-west of the state.

Things to do in Bunbury, WA: Dolphin Discovery Centre

The best things to do in Bunbury are the Dolphin Discovery Centre cruises and the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre.

The Dolphin Discovery Centre on Koombana Bay is one of the world’s premier dolphin research facilities but it also offers a lot to tourists. This Bunbury attraction goes beyond the usual aquarium thing by delving deep into the local ecology. It doesn’t just show fish in tanks while putting up signs about dolphins – it tries to show how land and sea interact.

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.

But of course, most people just want to see the dolphins. Top of the list of things to do in Bunbury for most visitors is a dolphin-watching cruise. The Dolphin Discovery Centre cruise costs $54, and you’re practically guaranteed to see dolphins.

dolphin in Koombana Bay, Bunbury, Western Australia — The Dolphin Discovery Centre on Koombana Bay offers a dolphin cruise in Bunbury, Western Australia. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

What to do in Bunbury: Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre

The other main attraction in Bunbury is the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre. Unlike many regional museums in Australia, which are cheap and not so cheerful, the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre should hold the attention for a while.

It uses a lot of audio and video to tell the history of the region, and there’s an admirable focus on the local Aboriginal culture. Entry to the museum is free of charge, but a gold coin donation is encouraged.

Things to do in Bunbury: Bunbury Wildlife Park

Animal lovers might prefer to concentrate on the Bunbury Wildlife Park instead. This is your classic Australian wildlife park – chat with the cockatoos, pat the kangaroos, get some cutesy photos. The kids should enjoy it, even if the grown-ups are left wanting a bit more. Entrance to the Bunbury Wildlife Park costs $11.

Top Bunbury accommodation choices

The best places to stay in Bunbury are:

For Koombana Bay location, near the Dolphin Discovery Centre: Discovery Parks Bunbury Foreshore.
For good quality apartments on the coast: Bunbury Seaview Apartments.
For affordable rates in a city centre location: Rose Hotel and Motel.

Where is Bunbury, Western Australia?

Bunbury is due south of Perth. The drive from Perth to Bunbury is 168km long, taking around two hours and 10 minutes. But there’s plenty you can do on the way. Options include tours to Penguin Island from Rockingham and boat cruises in Mandurah. You can also enjoy walks in the Yalgorup National Park from Preston Beach or the Leschenault Peninsula from Australind. Go inland via Pinjarra instead, and the Lane Poole Reserve near Dwellingup and Lake Navarino near Waroona offer good opportunities to get close to nature.

You can also stop by Bunbury on the drive from Perth to Margaret River.

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