Bunbury, WA
Drive Time: 2 hr 45 min | 223 km
On
the way to Bunbury, you could stop in at Yalgorup
National Park on the coast to enjoy the migratory birds, take a walk and see the ancient thrombolites of Lake
Clifton. There are four walks (Lake Preston, Lake
Clifton, Heathlands, and Lake Pollard).
There is camping on the banks of
Martins Tank Lake. Facilities include a camp kitchen, gas BBQs, dishwashing
sinks, dining tables an benches.
Rates:
$11 per adult. $3 per child under 16.
Thromboloites, Yalgorup National Park. Photo: flipflopwanderers bia IG
Yalgorup NAtional Park boardwalk. Photo: nightrav3n via IG
Dolphins
Bunbury is famous for
its bottlenose dolphins. They swim in close to shore at Koombana Beach. The
Dolphin Discovery Centre on Koombana Beach will take you out to swim with them
(from $85 adults) or to view them from the deck of a boat ($54 adults).
Children and concession rates are available.
Things to do in Bunbury
The following
attractions are all within a 1 km radius and can easily be walked, even if you
wish to include Koombana Beach and the Dolphin Discovery Centre.
- Marlston
Hill Lookout is a good vantage point from which to
view Bunbury.
- Wyalup-Rocky
Point is a rocky stretch of coastline, which
is fun to explore.
- Back
Beach is a good swimming beach.
- Bunbury
Regional Art Gallery is housed in a Victorian convent, now
painted pink. They have changing exhibitions as well as their permanent
collection of prominent Australian artists.
- Rose
Hotel, built in 1865, is a lovely Victorian
hotel with iron lacework, fireplaces inside and tables with umbrellas outside.
Grab a beer (or wine) and go for a wander through this lovely old building.
- Bunbury
Museum and Heritage Centre (Paisley Centre) is a compact museum
filled with beautiful objects and heartwarming stories about the history of
Bunbury.
View of Bunbury, WA. Photo: leesie136 via IG
Backbeach, Bunbury, WA. Photo: evolvephoto via IG
Backbeach Cafe Bunbury. 
Bunbury Harbour. Photo: megaleforce via IG
Nature
and Wildlife
- Bunbury Wildlife
Park - Feed kangaroos, enjoy
the antics of cockatoos, and meet many Australian wildlife species.
- Big
Swamp walk and bird lookouts - An easy but beautiful
2.5 km board walk through paper bark trees and over wetlands where you can
enjoy the birdlife.
- Head south to Busselton and walk the jetty. It's the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. If the 1.7 km stretch is too far for you, take the train to its end! There is an underwater observatory at the end ($33 entry) if you choose to go down and check out the marine life.
Friendly wildlife. Photo: kaybe1982 via IG
Busselton Jetty. Photo: giorgiadarin travel via IG
Camping in Bunbury and Busselton
You
can stay in Bunbury by Koombana Beach or head south to Peppermint Grove. The
following holiday parks receive the best reviews.
- Discovery Parks Bunbury Foreshore
Within
walking distance of the centre of town and right across from Koombana Beach
this is a sweet location. Facilities include a camp kitchen, BBQs, WiFi,
laundry, swimming pool, games room, jumping pillow, tennis and basketball
courts.
Rates: $45 for 2. $10 per additional adult
- BIG 4 Beachlands, Busselton
This
is one block back from the beach and has grassy sites and is very
kid-friendly. Facilities include Free
WiFi, jumping pillow, playground, waterpark, heated swimming pool, sun lounges,
table tennis, go-carts, adult coffee lounge, lending library, gas BBQs, camp
kitchen, showers and laundry.
Rates: $45 for 2 adults $14 additional
adults. There’s a 2 night minimum stay.
- Peppermint Grove Beach Holiday Park
This
park is close to the beach (350 m) with shady sites. Facilities include new
bathrooms, laundry, camp kitchen, mini golf, tennis, onsite shop and liquor
store and a BBQ area. (Adhere to the check-in and check-out times otherwise you
might incur a fee.)
Rates: $35/2 adults. $10 additional adults.
- Camp Grace
This beachside campground is run by Grace Christian School of Bunbury and it is reasonably priced. Facilities include a camp kitchen, dining area and bathrooms.
Rates: $26/2 adults. $13 additional adults.
Map of the Perth to Adelaide Drive
Western Australia Road Trips
