In Town
Dolphin Discovery Centre Wild bottlenose dolphins regularly visit Koombana Bay. The centre has interpretative displays on dolphins and other marine life and offers visitors the chance to swim with dolphins under ranger guidance. Dolphin visits usually occur in the mornings, however times and days of visits are unpredictable. If you prefer not to get wet, take a dolphin-spotting cruise on the bay. Open daily 8am–5pm Sept–May, 9am–3pm June–Aug; Koombana Dr; (08) 9791 3088.
Historic buildings: many date back to the early decades of the settlement, including the 1865 Rose Hotel; cnr Victoria and Stephen sts; contact visitor centre for details. King Cottage: built in 1880 and one of the oldest buildings in Bunbury, this cottage was built by Henry King using homemade bricks. It now displays items of domestic life from the early 20th century; open 2pm–4pm daily; Forrest Ave. Sir John Forrest Monument: born in Picton on the outskirts of Bunbury in 1847, Sir John Forrest was elected the first Premier of WA in 1890 and entered Federal Parliament in 1901; cnr Victoria and Stephen sts. Victoria Street: a 'cappuccino strip' of sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Bunbury Regional Art Galleries: built in 1887, formerly a convent for the Sisters of Mercy and now the largest art gallery in the South-West; Wittenoom St. Miniature Railway Track: take a ride on this 800 m track through the trees at Forest Park; 3rd Sun of each month; Blair St. Lookouts: Boulter's Heights, Haig Cres and Marlston Hill; Apex Dr. Lighthouse: painted in black-and-white check, this striking landmark has a lookout at the base; end of Ocean Dr. Basaltic rock: formed by volcanic lava flow 150 million years ago; foreshore at end of Clifton St, off Ocean Dr. Mangrove boardwalk: 200 m elevated boardwalk lets you view the southern-most mangrove colony in WA, estimated to be 20 000 years old; Koombana Dr. Big Swamp Wildlife Park: handfeed kangaroos, see bettongs, wombats, swamp wallabies and more, and enjoy the South-West's largest walk-through aviary with 60 species of native birds; Prince Phillip Dr. Heritage trail: 12 km walk from the Old Railway Station; contact visitor centre for brochure.
