The Best Things To Do In Bunbury

Bunbury, a coastal port city in the southwestern region of Western Australia, is waiting to be explored. With its picturesque beaches, lush green forests, and bustling city life, Bunbury has something to offer for every type of traveller. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday, an adventure-filled escape, or a wildlife experience, Bunbury has it all.

From the iconic Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre to the tranquil beauty of the Tuart Forest National Park, this city is a melting pot of natural wonders and adrenaline-fueled activities.

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Top Things to do in Bunbury Western Australia

1. Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre

Koombana Bay is home to around 100 to 150 wild bottlenose dolphins, regularly seen in the bay and surrounding calm water.

Mrs Evelyn Smith, a local resident, began feeding the dolphins in the mid-60s, but it wasn’t until 1989 that Bunbury Dolphin Trust hired a dolphin specialist to continue this tradition.

The Interaction Zone was created in 1990, and the Dolphin Discovery Centre followed four years later. It’s unknown why these dolphins keep returning, but researchers think it’s not just for the small amount of food they receive, as many don’t get any fish. A board at the front of the building shows the times and dolphins that have shown up, which you can use as a guide to finding the best time to visit. When we were there, it was from around 8 am to 9 am. It’s one of the best things to do in Bunbury for free.

The centre also runs the Marine Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Facility, the only one in the Southwest of Western Australia licensed by Parks & Wildlife. Since its inception in the mid-’90s, they have successfully rehabilitated and released approximately 200 marine turtles. 

There are several experiences at the Dolphin Discovery Centre with the Interaction Zone, Interpretive Centre, Eco Cruise, and Dolphin Swim.

Interaction Zone

The Interaction Zone is a dedicated protected area for people and dolphins to interact, overseen by volunteers. This is free, but strict guidelines must be adhered to, and remember that it is illegal to touch any wildlife, including these dolphins.

Interpretive Centre

You will get an immersive experience by visiting the Interpretive Centre, which features interactive displays, has feeding programs, and showcases an extensive range of themed fish and coral aquariums.

As an Advanced Eco-Tourism attraction, they do not have captive dolphins on display, but you can explore the wild dolphins of Koombana Bay with a guide to learn about their natural behaviours.

2. Dolphin Eco Cruise

A great way to see the wild dolphins is on this dolphin eco cruise, where you’ll spend 90 minutes within the shores of Koombana Bay on a boat designed to get you as close as possible to the dolphins. The skipper and crew will introduce you to the local Bottlenose Dolphins as they interact in their natural environment.

3. Dolphin Swim Tour

Join this dolphin swim tour if you’re up for adventure and want to get close to the dolphins. An experienced guide and trained volunteers will accompany you as you venture into the open waters of the serene Koombana Bay.

Join this dolphin swim tour if you’re up for adventure and want to get up close to the dolphins. An experienced guide and trained volunteers will accompany you as you venture into the open waters of the serene Koombana Bay. However, as they are wild animals, dolphin interaction cannot be guaranteed, but you get a second tour free if there are no dolphin sightings.

The Swim Tour season runs from November to April, with tours departing every day (except Tuesday) at 8 am.

4. Bunbury Foreshore

The new foreshore redevelopment in Bunbury has breathed new life into the waterfront from Koombana Bay to Casuarina Boat Harbour. Kids will enjoy the Koombana Foreshore Playground with water play activities, climbing towers, and a zipline. You can grab a coffee at the Hello Summer Beach Kiosk and watch them play happily.

Take a walk over Koombana FootBridge, which is designed to resemble a ship’s hull. On the ground are the names of the numerous shipwrecks in Koombana Bay.

You will see the new sculpture, Wardandi Boodja, representing the face of a Noongar elder and standing as a reminder that Noongar culture is vibrant and strong.

5. Bunbury Farmers Market

Bunbury Farmers Market is the place for fresh produce, much of it sourced from surrounding farms. In addition, you can choose from gourmet pies, delicious local and French cheeses, hand-pressed juices, fruit, vegetables, cured meats, baked goods, and a range of sauces, spices, and chutneys.

This indoor marketplace is a popular stop for people heading south to stock up on all these goodies to complement the Margaret River wines. Don’t go thinking you’ll be able to grab a bargain as it’s a market, though, as it can be pretty pricey as the products are top quality.

6. Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre

The state-of-the-art Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre is housed in the former 1886 Bunbury Boys School. It includes an extensive range of items relating to Bunbury’s history, along with audiovisual exhibits. Another free Bunbury attraction and great rainy day activity.

7. Bunbury Regional Art Gallery

The Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, housed in a former convent, is Western Australia’s largest regional art gallery and hosts world-class exhibitions.

8. Bunbury’s Street Art

Bunbury city has the most extensive collection of street art in regional Australia. Download a copy of the map here and discover the incredible street art Bunbury has to offer.

9. Bunbury Wildlife Park & Big Swamp Parklands

One of the best things to do in Bunbury with kids is to visit the Bunbury Wildlife Park, where you can enjoy seeing some native animals along with two walk-through aviaries. Kangaroos can be hand-fed in a paddock with lots of native trees.

Inside the free-flight aviaries, birds will fly to you and take food from the palms of your hands. We always enjoy chatting with the funny cockatoos and asking them to dance for us. Please don’t put your hand in their cages, though, as they can bite despite looking cute!

Allow about an hour to spend at this small zoo. If you’re an Entertainment Cardmember, they currently have two-for-one admission (one per membership).

Bunbury Wildlife Park is an excellent spot for a picnic, and the Big Swamp Playground is close by. While here, take the Big Swamp Wetlands Walk, which meanders through the wetlands. Don’t miss the beautiful Paperbark Walk.

10. Lena Ship Wreck Dive

The “Lena” is a purposely sunk wreck off the Bunbury coast that now attracts over 100 species of marine life, including humpback whales, turtles, skipjack, western blue devils, wobbegong and port jackson sharks, tuna, and dhufish. The boat was fishing illegally in Australian waters in the early 2000s. It was chased all the way to South Africa before she surrendered, being one of the most prolonged sea chases in maritime history.

The highly-rated open water Lena wreck dive is an easy swim-through with no silt and excellent visibility.

11. Marlston Hill Lookout Tower

The walk up to the Marlston Hill Lookout Tower is short but steep and gives you a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. This former lighthouse has been converted into a viewing tower with panoramic views of Koombana Bay, Bunbury Harbour, and the hinterland. It can be very windy at the top, especially in the afternoon.

Other lookouts

Boulters Heights, between Haig Crescent and Wittenoom Street, is a challenging climb but offers incredible city views.

Koombana Park Lookout is the newest viewpoint overlooking Leschenault Inlet, Mangrove Cove, and Koombana Bay. The site also has a playground, seating areas, and barbecues.

12. Bunbury Lighthouse

You cannot access the Bunbury Lighthouse, but it can be viewed easily from the paths and Marlston Hill Lookout. The black and white checkered lighthouse is a popular Instagram photo location, especially at sunset.

13. Cultural Tour

Take this Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tour to learn about local Noongar guide Troy Bennell’s Indigenous heritage and culture. Listen as he tells Dreamtime stories and the traditions of his family growing up.

14. Back Beach

Head to Back Beach for water activities, including bodyboarding, surfing, snorkelling, swimming, and fishing. If you’d prefer to keep dry, the coastal path is great for walking, running, or cycling. You can hire bikes from Melo Velo.

15. Mangrove Walk

If you’re a nature lover, you will enjoy the Mangrove Walk around the Leschenault Estuary, which takes you through Western Australia’s southernmost mangroves. These wetlands are a favourite breeding spot of the Black Swan and have over 70 bird species living there.

16. Wyalup Rocky Point

The 130 million-year-old Basalt Rock of Wyalup Rocky Point is highly culturally significant to the local Indigenous people. Wyalup means ‘place of mourning’ because the area previously was a Noongar burial ground.

Take in the views from the beach lookout, and the playground will keep the kids occupied while you relax watching the sunset. There are also BBQ facilities here.

17. Dine or Drink out

Bunbury has improved massively over the years and has many small, intimate wine bars, pubs, cafes, and restaurants to choose from. If you’re after coffee, head to Victoria Street’s cosmopolitan cappuccino strip.

Try the refurbished Rose Hotel, Nicolas Ristorante, Lost Bills, or visit Cuprum Distillery’s cellar door to pick up some truffle gin, coffee liqueur, or other incredible spirits sourced from local botanicals.

18. Bike Ride

There are two child-friendly bike rides around Bunbury – the Leschenault Inlet Loop and the Big Swamp Wetlands.

The Leschenault Inlet Loop is a 5 km ride around the inner inlet that starts and ends at Koombana Beach.

The purpose-built cycle track around the Big Swamp Wetlands is about 3-4 km and is a great option for younger kids.

Bunbury Dog Friendly Walks

You can take your dog on a few walks, including forest and waterside.

1. The Maidens 1.8 km

This walk in South Bunbury takes you along crushed limestone paths through the sand dunes in the Maidens Reserve. Along the way, you can stop at the lookouts for sweeping views of the ocean and city.

2. Manea Park 2.3 km

Manea Park is an excellent place to view the beautiful wildflowers in spring. It is also a fantastic bush reserve that supports several threatened species, including the forest red-tailed black cockatoo and both native species of white-tailed black cockatoo.

3. Leschenault Inlet Circuit 5 km

This popular walk winds around Leschenault Inlet. Read the signs that have been installed, made out of timber recycled from the old jetty and the former Koombana rail bridge.

4. Big Swamp Wetlands 3.5 km

To protect wildlife (there are over 60 species of birds), dogs are limited to the outer path. Across the road, there is an off-lead exercise area.

5. Back Beach

Take a walk along the dual-use path and stop at one of the two dog exercise beaches along the way.

Bunbury Visitor Centre

We usually stop at Visitor Centres to pick up free maps of the area, so pop in and see the friendly guides at the Bunbury Visitor Centre.

How to get to Bunbury from Perth

International and domestic visitors will fly into Perth Airport.

You can get from Perth to Bunbury by train, bus or car.

Perth to Bunbury by car

The quickest way to get to Bunbury from Perth is by car, which will take about an hour and 50 minutes. You can make it part of a South West Road Trip from Perth to Albany.

Perth to Bunbury by train

Trains run twice daily between Perth Station and Bunbury Station, taking two and a half hours. Tickets on the Australind train are around A$34.20 one way.

Perth to Bunbury by bus

TransWA runs coach services between East Perth and Bunbury, taking between two and a half and three hours, depending on the route.

South West Coach Lines runs daily services from Perth to Bunbury, taking about three hours. Tickets cost approximately A$58 one way.

Bunbury Weather & Forecast

February is the driest month, while July is the wettest. 

February is also the warmest month, with an average max temperature of around 30 °C and a minimum of 16°C.

The coldest month in Bunbury is July, with an average maximum of 17°C and a low of 7°C.  

The ocean is warmest in March (22.2°C) and coldest in September (17.9°C).

If you want to visit the beach or swim with the dolphins, summer is the best time to visit Bunbury. However, it can be too hot for walks. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn can be a lovely time of year with sunny days and cooler nights.

See the Bureau of Met for an up-to-date 7-day forecast in Bunbury.

Bunbury Events

There is always something happening in Bunbury. See Bunbury Geographe Visitor Centre for a complete list of events.

Bunbury History

The Bunbury area was originally known as “Goomburrup” before the arrival of settlers.

The town was first settled in 1838 and was named in recognition of Lieutenant Henry William St Pierre Bunbury, who developed the problematic inland route from Pinjarra to Bunbury.

By 1842, Bunbury had 16 buildings and a port servicing local industries, including timber. Railway lines in 1891 and 1893 increased the port’s importance, exporting Karri and Jarrah wood to England.

Bunbury became a city in October 1979.

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