Welcome
Located 168km south of Perth (1hour,
52 minutes), Bunbury is WA’s largest regional city and is a great destination
for quick weekend breaks or longer holidays. It is a brilliant place to base
yourself when exploring further afield into the Ferguson Valley or out to
Collie to try the many hiking, mountain bike and even horse trails across the
region.
To make it even easier for you to
explore our beautiful City we have created a suggested itinerary. Download the
handy map to help you explore. For more detail read on.
DAY ONE – PERTH TO BUNBURY
Say goodbye to Perth and drive south to Bunbury on Forrest Highway. Allow 1 hour, 45 minutes to 2 hours. If you leave late morning, you will be in the region by lunch time. There are plenty of great places to stop including the Crooked Carrot, not your average freeway stop, or try the Old Coast Road Brewery which has great beer, cider, food and even a mini-golf course!
Where to Stay
Check into Bunbury Hotel Koombana Bay. Located on the historic Bunbury Waterfront, forming part of the prestigious wheat silos development, with views over Koombana Bay, and only a five-minute walk of Bunbury’s CBD. It features 67 studio and deluxe studio rooms, two and three-bedroom apartments, an indoor heated pool, tennis courts. You could search for other accommodation here.
Once you are settled into your room take a stroll around the waterfront precinct or head up to Marlston Hill Lookout to get 360 degree panoramic views of the town, Geographe Bay, Koombana Bay and the Leschenault Inlet and if you are lucky a cracking sunset. You could carry on to the Back Beach and dip your toes in the ocean. Why not stop for a coffee at the Back Beach Café and drink in the views.
Wander back to your accommodation to freshen up ahead of an evening out.
Pre-Dinner Drinks
Fancy a cleansing ale before dinner? Head into Froth Craft Bunbrewery (12 Victoria St) and try out a locally made brew or two. They often have a band playing or a DJ so it’s a great place to hang out. If you are too comfortable to move stay for dinner, they have a great menu and very friendly staff.
Table for Two
We’d encourage you to check out Market Eating House in Victoria Street. Described as a ‘destination restaurant’ – it’s the sort of place you plan your weekend around. The food is sublime, the service sensational, and the atmosphere relaxed and cosy. The drinks menu features so many local and WA brews, spirits and wines that you will be spoilt for choice. Many of the wines are from local Geographe vineyards without a cellar doors so make sure you try some.
Market Eating House is owned by Brenton and Bec Pyke. Brenton has experience as a head chef in Melbourne, and Perth small bar Andaluz. Put your faith in the kitchen and order the Feed Me or Feed Me More menu – who doesn’t like a surprise?
Nightcap
End your night at the ultimate hipster hang-out, Lost Bills – a tiny bar with a banging craft beer list, eclectic spirits, and some very good wine.
DAY TWO – EXPLORING BUNBURY
There is so much to see and do in Bunbury! We have provided you with two options below. Option One: Be at one with nature or Option Two: Immerse yourself in Bunbury.
OPTION ONE: BE AT ONE WITH NATURE
It’s time to get up and close to nature in Bunbury – the City of 3 Waters. A group of around 100 to 150 dolphins are regularly seen in the bay and surrounding waters. Approximately 20 to 40 of these are considered residents of Koombana Bay, and there is a group of five or six dolphins that regularly visit the public interaction zone, with as many as 16 dolphins known to have visited at any one time. Dolphins visit the bay regularly in summer and autumn and can be seen very close to the beach. Volunteer guides help you to understand more about these intriguing creatures.
A must-do, bucket list activity is the 8am Dolphin Discovery Centre Swim Tour. Accompanied by an experienced guide and trained volunteers you will venture into the open waters of Koombana Bay. Depending on dolphin sightings you will be guided into the water where the dolphins may elect to initiate interaction with you and your fellow swimmers. As they are wild dolphins, interaction cannot be guaranteed. You’ll be supplied a wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins. Bring a waterproof camera. (Note: subject to weather conditions, booking is essential).
If you prefer not to get your feet wet, join the 12 noon Dolphin Discovery Centre’s Dolphin Eco Cruise tour in Koombana Bay. Dolphins can be seen frolicking, playing, sleeping, and feeding. The informative commentary from the skipper of the boat will also keep you updated throughout the cruise. Afterwards, head into Australia’s premier dolphin centre which includes an interpretive experience with themed aquariums as well as interpretation of the Koombana Bay environment and its history – geological, indigenous, marine and contemporary. Why not have brunch at the Dolphin Discovery Centre Cafe?
(Note: check availability for tours outside summer. Swim tours run from November to April and the Eco Tours January to December minimum bookings, weather and conditions permitting. Packaging a cruise with entry to the interpretive centre can earn you a discount) .
Explore Koombana Bay & Park
Head across the road to Koombana Park to explore Australia’s southernmost mangroves and take in the view in the architecturally designed Koombana Park Lookout. Return beachside to have fun along the Koombana Bay Foreshore. Kids will love the playground and zipline. Next, walk along the pathways and pause at the stunning five and a half metre steel bust, Wardandi Boodja and onto the shipwreck inspired Koombana Footbridge. Stop for morning tea at Dome at the city end of the bay next to Taffys, a sweet delight – so many lollies so little time, and if you time it right you may see owner Sam stretching the taffy in his ancient taffy pulling machine!
Need More Nature
OK, if you’re not done with Bunbury’s great outdoors and its beautiful inhabitants then here are a few more suggestions – learn to surf at Bunbury Surf School, or take a selfie with our ultra-friendly kangaroos at the Bunbury Wildlife Park (you may meet a quokka too!). There is also an amazing accessible playground at Big Swamp next to the Wildlife Park as well as some beautiful nature walks.
Seek out a turmeric latte, cold press juice or Mano a Mano coffee from boutique coffee house and café, Townhouse Bunbury at 39 Victoria Street. If the sun is shining, head to their banging backyard featuring wall murals by local artists. Alternatively try Coffee and Flour Café at 50 Spencer Street or the Butcher’s Café at Bunbury Plaza.
OPTION TWO: IMMERSE YOURSELF IN BUNBURY
Breakfast of Champions
Start your day by venturing down Central Arcade off Princep Street to La Pause Miam, a Parisian café with Scandi style. Expect everything from Parisian croque monsieur, to duck burgers, bacon and eggs, and stacked pancakes. The pastries are baked fresh and melt in your mouth. Locals have voted their coffee as the best in the city! Or, if you are on a health kick visit Plant Organic Café & Market for a green smoothie with home-made almond milk and a famous choc spirulina superfood ball.
Shopping Time
Victoria Street is full of little boutique stores that are big on style. Start at Sabotage. You’re destined to do some damage here, with the leading Australian labels – think Assembly Label, Stevie May, Neuw Denim, One Teaspoon, and more. Life and Soul Boutique has some of our favourite brands (Auguste, Arnhem, Nobody Denim, Camilla & Marc, Thurley, and Empire Rose, to name just a few), as well as talented up-and-coming designers to discover.
Culture Up
Not into shopping? Pick up a copy of the Bunbury’s new CBD Mural Trail Map by Six Two Three Zero from the visitor centre at 13A Princep Street, and discover the city from a different perspective. Bunbury is home to the largest collection of street and public art in regional Australia. Canvases are everywhere you look in BunGeo, which teems with vibrant street art. Spot everything from abstract, commissioned works, restaurant themed façades and lots more in Bunbury. Find the whimsical characters painted by leading WA artists on 20 electrical boxes scattered through the CBD.
Take some time to explore the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) – housed in a very distinctive pink building on Wittenoom Street which used to be a convent. It’s free to explore and the perfect backdrop for an Insta pic. BRAG is home to the largest collection of public art in regional Western Australia and offers a program of art exhibitions.
Late Lunch
Grab a quick bite to eat at Benesse their fresh flavourful dishes will satisfy you and if you can squeeze it in, head to The Bean & Cone for handcrafted ice cream made fresh every day. Artisan ice cream maker Margaret, loves experimenting with new flavours and techniques.
Dinner
Start your night with a wine in Mojo’s streetside sea container. Mojo’s Kitchen, Bar & Bottleshop has one of the biggest wine lists in the region, including local Geographe wines, and museum wines from their cellar.
Martini Time
Small bar come restaurant, Yours or Mine offers an eclectic wine list, craft beer and knock your socks off espresso martinis. If you’re still hungry it also serves incredible South American food.
DAY THREE: MANGROVES TO PERTH
Start your day by hiring a bike from Melo Velo in Victoria Street. You can also get a coffee to keep you going until you get to breakfast. Cycle out to the Mangrove Boardwalk and follow it around the inlet and out to Richardson Street and Austral Parade,. Head to the Happy Wife for a fabulous breakfast and stunning views. Ride back to Melo Velo via the Stirling Street Heritage Precinct, the art centre here has the last Sunday of every month.
Stop in at the Treendale Farm Hotel in Australind on your way home for a hearty pub lunch before the drive back to Perth.
