BUNBURY
GET TO KNOW
THE AREA
A trip to Western Australia’s southwest often results in copious amounts of wine-swilling, boutique accommodation, outstanding produce and world-class surf. While these activities are all glorious, about an hour before you even reach Margaret River and approximately two and a half hours south of Perth, Bunbury quietly hugs Geographe Bay while holding the title of the state’s second-largest city. While cosmopolitan Bunbury is the cultural hub of the Geographe region and beyond, it’s the perfect launch pad into countless nature and adventure-filled activities either covered over a day, weekend or longer for the fortunate time rich.
Lifestyle
Often overshadowed by Margaret River’s glitzy international status, Bunbury’s residents had long ago stumbled upon their hometown’s charms. Eventually, the tourism industry caught on, and the city centre became revitalised with eateries, boutiques, eclectic shops and street art, notably around Victoria Street. The locals have taken the emergence of tourists in their stride while reaping the rewards of their wise property investments, such as character homes and modern townhouses capitalising on coastal views.
While the township hugs the shoreline, the mighty Indian Ocean feeds into Koombana Bay and the Leschenault Estuary, home to over 100 bottlenose dolphins, which you can visit at the Dolphin Discovery Centre. The nearby Blackwood River covers 28,100 kilometres with 41 tributaries and offers plenty of swimming, canoeing, boating, camping and fish spots. Languid days at the beach can be found on Koombana Bay, Back Beach and Mindalong or join a boating or diving charter for total immersion.
Read MoreLifestyle
Often overshadowed by Margaret River’s glitzy international status, Bunbury’s residents had long ago stumbled upon their hometown’s charms. Eventually, the tourism industry caught on, and the city centre became revitalised with eateries, boutiques, eclectic shops and street art, notably around Victoria Street. The locals have taken the emergence of tourists in their stride while reaping the rewards of their wise property investments, such as character homes and modern townhouses capitalising on coastal views.
While the township hugs the shoreline, the mighty Indian Ocean feeds into Koombana Bay and the Leschenault Estuary, home to over 100 bottlenose dolphins, which you can visit at the Dolphin Discovery Centre. The nearby Blackwood River covers 28,100 kilometres with 41 tributaries and offers plenty of swimming, canoeing, boating, camping and fish spots. Languid days at the beach can be found on Koombana Bay, Back Beach and Mindalong or join a boating or diving charter for total immersion.
With natural wonders galore, the Bunbury-Geographe region boasts mangroves believed to be more than 25,000 years old, which you can explore via the Mangrove Walk and around the Leschenault Inlet. The area is also home to endangered numbats and a rare tuart forest featuring one of the largest jarrah trees in Australia with a circumference of more than 10-metres.
Neighbours
Bunbury’s idyllic lifestyle appeals to a wide demographic, especially empty nesters and families craving seaside living and a rich cultural and culinary scene. Bunbury offers a laid-back and healthy lifestyle with nearby access to wine regions, adventure activities, excellent schools and facilities. There are direct road and train links from Perth and beyond, and the Busselton Regional Airport is just 40 minutes away with direct flights to Perth and the Eastern States.
Neighbours
Bunbury’s idyllic lifestyle appeals to a wide demographic, especially empty nesters and families craving seaside living and a rich cultural and culinary scene. Bunbury offers a laid-back and healthy lifestyle with nearby access to wine regions, adventure activities, excellent schools and facilities. There are direct road and train links from Perth and beyond, and the Busselton Regional Airport is just 40 minutes away with direct flights to Perth and the Eastern States.
Area features
DOLPHIN DISCOVERY CENTRE
Once a sleepy coastal town in the 1960s, Bunbury was blessed with a special resident named Evelyn Smith, who was fond of feeding the dolphins in the Leschenault Inlet. Decades later, the tradition evolved into the Dolphin Discovery Centre, featuring a Beach Interaction Zone that is freely accessible and attracts wild dolphins from Koombana Bay, especially during the warmer months. The Dolphin Discovery Centre runs eco-cruises where dolphin sightings are almost guaranteed, and the dolphin swim tours are the ultimate way to interact with these delightful creatures.
ENJOY THE VIEW
Surrounded by staggering beauty, the Marlston Hill Lookout offers panoramic views of Bunbury, where you can appreciate how this port city earned its nickname as the City of Three Waters. Boulters Heights and Koombana Park Lookout offer fabulous city and water views, especially at sunset. A scenic flight with Bunbury Aero Club or the Warbird Experience should satiate thrill seekers.
GEOGRAPHE WINE REGION
Sample over 40 wineries in the pretty Geographe Wine Region covering the shires of Harvey, Collie, Donnybrook-Balingup, Bunbury, Capel and northern Busselton. Of particular note, don’t miss the Collie Mural Trail, an expansive outdoor art gallery connecting Wellington Dam with Collie’s town centre. Dardanup sits about 15 minutes from Bunbury and boasts the Ferguson Valley, likened to a mini Margaret River boasting wineries, breweries, galleries and the intriguing Gnomesville, an entire suburb dedicated to gnomes.
YEAR-ROUND EVENTS
Embracing its cultural identity, Bunbury attracts visitors for its year-round events flocking for music, art, film, food and a few unexpected delights. You’ll want to book your accommodation in advance for the CinefestOz film festival, Boyup Brook Music Festival, Groovin the Moo music festival, Donnybrook Food and Wine Festival, Balingup Medieval Festival, Harvey Dickson’s Rodeo and the Dardanup Art Spectacular.
STREET AND PUBLIC ART
Bunbury and the Geographe region boast one of the largest street and public art collections in regional Australia. Bunbury has over 40 murals and 20 electric boxes featuring whimsical characters by local and international artists. Further afield, check out the unique mosaics and murals in Capel, Binningup, Clifton Park, Cookernup, Myalup, Yarloop and Harvey, a town also famed for HaVe Harvey Cheese and Harvey Fresh orchards.
