Should you’re in search of a quiet, beach get away the place you’ll soak in some solar and let lifestyles’s day-to-day stresses ebb away, then you definately’re going to fall in love with the Bunbury.
Nestled best two hours south west of Perth and 40 mins north of Margaret River, West Coast Australia’s premier wine rising area, Bunbury gives a soothing getaway, however with a unexpected selection of issues to do there.
From completely satisfied seashores to wineries to natural world reviews, there are many issues to do in Bunbury to stay any traveler entertained!
Should you’re no longer positive what to do in Bunbury, remember to upload the next on your itinerary…
Issues to Do in Bunbury
1. Chill out at a Ferguson Farmstay
Simply outdoor of Bunbury is the Ferguson Valley, a rising wine and meals area. It’s unquestionably lesser recognized than Margaret River, however price exploring for its humbleness and home-grown flavour.
It used to be moderately dry once we visited, however within the rainier months this space turns right into a inexperienced lushness to rival Eire. Rolling hills with perspectives stretching out to the coast of Bunbury on a transparent day.
An excellent spot to benefit from the rolling hills of Ferguson Valley is from the picturesque Ferguson Farmstay, a serve as centre for a large number of weddings, however it additionally gives boutique lodging.
While you keep on the 45-hectare belongings, you get to benefit from the farm actions, similar to feeding the cattle and playing a hay journey.
We adults loved sitting on most sensible of the hill, benefiting from the perspectives around the valley all of the option to Bunbury and the coast, whilst Kalyra and Savannah were given to hang around with some cattle – at all times a deal with for the children.
They fed the goats and pigs, kangaroos, and chickens, after which had a pony journey. It used to be Savannah’s first one and she or he jumped off asking if lets purchase her a pony!
2. Surprise at Gnomesville
Australia doesn’t have many zany, quirky sights or traditions, however Gnomesville is certainly one of them.
The gnomes began showing to silently protest the construction of the roundabout. They have been kicked off the roundabout and so a small gnome village used to be created for them simply off the facet of the street.
It now stretches a ways again into the wooded area and is roofed with hundreds of gnomes that experience migrated from far and wide Australia and all over the world.
I’d had sufficient after 20 mins, however may just no longer drag the ladies clear of traipsing in the course of the alleyways of Gnomesville and finding gnomes like the ones trapped in the back of the fence of the detention centre (cracked me up!!), flying planes, taking part in cricket, mountain climbing logs and hiding in timber.
It’s moderately entertaining. Don’t overlook to take your gnomes with you while you pass and go away a little of your gnome spirit in the back of.
Gnomesville is situated by means of the roundabout on the junction of Wellington Mill and Ferguson Roads, Wellington Mill, roughly half-hour pressure from Bunbury.
3. Revel in Lunch at St Aidan Vineyard
We stopped at Aidan Vineyard for a fast chunk to devour – a delectable home-made soup and salad. The title derives from the district’s ancient church that sits on its boundary.
It has a horny outlook and there’s a massive open house for the children to show round on.
We didn’t style the wines or keep for lengthy, however we suggest it as a spot to take a look at to your talk over with to the Ferguson Valley.
The cellar door is open on a daily basis excluding Wednesday.
4. Cross Wine Tasting at Ferguson Falls Vineyard
Probably the most most sensible issues to do in Bunbury is to move wine tasting. It’s probably the most premier wine rising areas, so that you merely can not talk over with with out sampling the native types.
We visited Ferguson Falls Vineyard, and sat right down to a platter of cheese with proprietor, Peter Giumelli. He informed us quite a lot of tales of the area, which highlighted a heat and alluring neighborhood serious about protecting that home-grown flavour and sharing it with the outdoor neighborhood to come back and revel in on a talk over with.
The outlook over the farm and vineyards gives a tranquil afternoon enjoy. We left with a few bottles of wine – a scrumptious drop that tells tales. My favorite used to be the Chardonnay Verdelho 2010.
Ferguson Falls Vineyard is open on Fri, Sat, Solar, & lengthy weekends from 11.00am to five.00pm – or name Peter and Margaret to prepare an appropriate time in your talk over with.
5. Consult with The Dolphin Discovery Centre
Many small cities alongside the West Coast have dolphin feeding reviews as a primary appeal. We did this enjoy over in Monkey Mia, which is among the most famed puts to do it.
Alternatively, the issue with Monkey Mia is it’s an enormous detour from anyplace to get there, and is crowded with vacationers, and we have been there in quiet season.
We loved the wild dolphin enjoy on the Discovery Centre in Bunbury extra. There have been fewer other people, it’s no longer a ways to pressure from Perth, and we noticed extra bottlenose dolphins (however that’s purely a success factor, so don’t base your resolution on that, because the dolphins are wild).
The Discovery Centre additionally has extra issues to do than simply feed a wild dolphins within the interplay zone.
Inside of there may be an aquarium and interpretive centre, providing all kinds of interactive exhibitions and talks.
The women cherished finding out extra about octopus right here with the ranger. They giggled their heads off when the octopus poked his head out of his aquarium domestic and spurted water over everybody. What a fantastic actual lifestyles enjoy for them!
Close by there’s a quiet and beautiful seaside simply down the street from the Mantra. There are watersports to revel in, a restaurant and a pleasant seaside to sit down on. The water is calm and very good for swimming in.
If you wish to swim with dolphins, you’ll additionally do a dolphin-eco-cruise from April till November. Cruises take you out to look the dolphins of their herbal habitat and go away from Dolphin Discovery Centre Bunbury. The cruise is simply 90-minutes.
6. Test Out Large Swamp Parkland (Bunbury Flora and fauna Park)
Positioned in South Bunbury is the Large Swamp Parkland, a safe nature reserve recognized for its non violent environment and unspoiled herbal good looks.
The park is domestic to 60 hen species, together with Australasian grebes, white-faced herons, dusky moorhens and pink swamphens.
Take the straightforward, 2.5km stroll across the Large Swamp, and prevent off in a hen disguise or lookout to look the birds of their herbal habitat.
Afterwards, head over to Bunbury Flora and fauna Park to look local Australian animals, together with some tame kangaroos.
7. Swim in Honeymoon Pool, Wellington Nationwide Park
Only a 30-minute pressure out of Bunbury and also you’ll succeed in a tranquil oasis referred to as Wellington Nationwide Park, a 25,000 hectare wooded area recognized for its indigineous and ancient tree species, together with historic jarrah, marri and blackbutt timber.
Working in the course of the park is the Collie River Valley, which has many swimming holes and puts to calm down in. Our favourite spot is Honeymoon Pool, which may also be accessed from Honeymoon Pool Campground.
As it’s possible you’ll be expecting from the title, it’s an idyllic spot with a tranquil environment. There’s a small platform you’ll calm down on, or take the stairs down into the pool and revel in a refreshing swim underneath the canopies of the timber.
Have a pass seeking to climb the large rock there, it’s a ravishing view on the most sensible.
Every other spot to take a look at whilst in Wellington NP is the Wellington Dam, which has the biggest dam mural portray on the earth on it, painted by means of artist Guido Van Helten.
Afterwards, it’s only a 10 minute pressure from the Nationwide Park to the little the city of Collie the place you’ll pop in for a chunk of one thing to devour.
8. Sip Craft Beers at Froth Craft Brewery
There are over 100 breweries in Western Australia, and despite the fact that the Town of Bunbury isn’t precisely large, it’s no longer in need of breweries both.
Likelihood is that that on a Friday evening or a groovy summers night time, you’ll in finding many locals sitting in beer gardens at Froth Craft Brewery and playing a craft beer and a few are living song.
It is a nice brewery for lunch, providing family-friendly vibes and hearty foods made with native produce.
It’s a “vibe focal point” microbrewery with 40 craft beers that they brew in-house, who’re at all times participating in neighborhood occasions. There’s at all times one thing going down at Froth Craft Brewery, and you’ll simply why you spot such a lot of locals right here – it appears like entering into your pal’s home.
9. Take the Children to Gumnut Park Playground, Donnybrook
Whilst we wouldn’t most often say “take your children to a playground” as a factor to do, however the Gumnut Park playground isn’t your abnormal playground.
Only a brief pressure out to the small the city of Donnybrook and also you’ve landed your self within the largest FREE journey park within the area.
The park used to be impressed by means of Would possibly Gibbs’ Gumnut young children, which in case you’re no longer from Australian is an area tale story about two young children, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, who lived within the bush.
The park has a large number of emphasis on combining nature and play. Children will love exploring the 3 gigantic towers made to appear to be flower pods, prior to sliding down the twisting slides.
There are two flying fox ziplines, trampolines set into the bottom, and mountain climbing frames.
The park has a picnic space, restrooms, and an journey playhouse for tots.
There’s a restaurant within the park that sells espresso and light-weight bits, or there are many little cafes alongside the Primary Boulevard of Donnybrook too. You’ll be able to get delicious stone fruit in season within the Donnybrook Orchards – higher than any you get within the retail outlets.
10. Play at Koombana Seashore
In all probability the most efficient seaside in Bunbury is Koombana Seashore, which is a gorgeous seaside that’s recognized for being where the place the Dolphin Uncover Middle is situated (as discussed previous).
Alternatively, you shouldn’t simply come to Koombana Bay for the wild dolphins, the seaside additionally has so much to supply. It has calm waters, very best for swimming and paddling, and it has inflatables at the water and kayaks and SUPs for rent – very best for an afternoon out on the seaside.
Take your children to the Koombana Playground and Sykes Foreshore Splash Park the place they are able to run round and play at the grass if the seaside will get too crowded.
11. Stroll the Mangrove Boardwalk
Every other great spot to talk over with in Bunbury, only a brief stroll from Koombana Seashore, is Koombana Park.
Take a brief stroll over Koombana Bridge to the Mangrove Stroll, which is a gorgeous simple stroll in the course of the ancient, 20,000 yr previous mangroves over a wood boardwalk. It’s superb, and can indubitably calm your senses and repair your power.
The path is best 200 meters lengthy and doesn’t take lengthy to talk over with, so head over to Koombana Park lookout for some great perspectives of the park at the method out.
12. Be told at Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre
As with maximum coastal towns in Australia, Bunbury has it’s justifiable share of maritime and colonial historical past.
Positioned within a heritage indexed former faculty, in-built 1886, the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Middle is where to move to be told concerning the towns attention-grabbing previous.
The construction itself used to be constructed at the former grounds that housed a Convict Depot, however has best served as a museum since 2016.
The principle room of the museum comprises an exhibition on conventional house owners of the world, explorers and whalers from Bunbury, and different maritime historical past.
Some highlights of the museum are the unique beaver fur most sensible hat worn by means of the previous faculty important, and a drive-in projector from the 1958 Mayfair Power-in Film Theatre.
13. Surprise at Bunbury Regional Artwork Gallery (BRAG)
You wouldn’t be expecting it from the intense crimson external, however the Bunbury Regional Artwork Gallery is situated in a former convent and is among the maximum ancient constructions within the town.
The artwork gallery, which is best visitable by means of appointment best, comprises one of the absolute best public artwork within the South West.
Additionally they be offering artwork methods, categories and workshops, in addition to different occasions devoted to showcasing native artists and their skills, from efficiency artists to networking occasions for artists.
Take a look at the occasions calendar to look what’s on while you talk over with.
14. Store for Native Produce at Bunbury Farmers Markets
We like a excellent farmers marketplace, it’s the easiest position to select up recent produce for a picnic or to organize a homecooked meal.
What’s particular about Bunbury Farmers Markets is they’re open day-to-day, versus simply the weekend like maximum farmers markets.
For the reason that starting in June 2003, the farmers marketplace has grown exponentially. It’s growth is because of reputation, however its project remains the similar – to supply top quality, farm recent, natural meals and native produce.
90% of the fruit and greens on the marketplace used to be within the flooring simply 2 days prior, and 70-90% of that produce got here from a farm simply down the street. You’ll be able to’t get more energizing than that!
15. Recognize Perspectives from Bunbury Lighthouse
Every other ancient landmark to take a look at is the Bunbury Lighthouse, which has been protective ships from turning into shipwrecks since 1870.
The black and white striped construction is 25 meters top and may also be observed from 27 kilometers away.
The lighthouse used to be in the beginning constructed on Marlston Hill, however moved to its provide website online in 1971.
16. Test Out Sundown from Wyalup-Rocky Level
Head over to Wyalup-Rocky Level, an historic rock formation led to by means of lava many millenia in the past, and you’re going to witness superb sunsets.
It’s sandy seaside and tranquil environment give you the very best environment to revel in a golden hour.
17. Test Out Boulevard Artwork
The Town of Bunbury isn’t in need of artwork on show, and in truth comprises the biggest selection of side road artwork in regional Australia.
In 2014, an artist referred to as Andrew Fraser began a side road artwork mural assortment referred to as ReDiscover, which featured 40 work of art within the CBD district by myself.
This assortment used to be expanded to incorporate the Outdoor The Field assortment (2014-2016), which options 30+ massive scale work of art on a sequence of 20 electric bins in Bunbury’s CBD.
Many of those items were misplaced, broken or changed through the years however lots of the originals are nonetheless in tact. You’ll be able to stroll across the CBD and spot what you’ll in finding. Here’s a virtual map that comes with all of the work of art and electric field places.
Every other cool piece of artwork to find is Wardandi Boodja, a 5-meter metal sculpture representing the Wardandi Noongar other people, situated at Anchorage Cove.
18. Recognize Perspectives from Boulters Heights or Marlston Hill Lookout Tower
If you wish to have superb perspectives of town, head as much as Boulters Heights, a glance out level on. a former dune with superb perspectives of town and sea coast.
You’ll be able to see so far as Leschenault inlet and Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park on a transparent day.
Every other standpoint to take a look at, in case you don’t need to hike too a ways, is Marlston Hill Lookout Tower, which used to be constructed to supply 360 level perspectives of Bunbury and the coastal panorama.
You do must hike up 4 flights of stairs, however the perspectives are price it, and it’s loose!
The place to Keep in Bunbury
Mantra Bunbury
We like staying in rental leases, and Bunbury isn’t in need of them. We stayed at Mantra in Bunbury, a condominium advanced that made for a comfy get away from our camper trailer for a couple of nights!
The residences had stunning perspectives out over the water and we had an excessively relaxing afternoon taking part in tennis in combination as a relations.
For the primary time in my lifestyles (after many makes an attempt) I in truth beat Craig in a sport!! Kalyra used to be maximum happy with how I carved him up!
Mantra is inside simple strolling distance to the city and the seaside, AND lets see the native Moo Brewery from our balcony. We didn’t take a look at it as we had simply come off a joyous festive season and wanted a destroy!
Cottages at Ferguson Farmstay – Peppermint Lane Resort
If you desire to be clear of the coast and keep within the Ferguson Valley, then head down into the rainforested valley to the gorgeous cottages at Peppermint Resort, which is a quiet retreat appropriate for adults best.
Kim, the landlord, lovingly welcomed the ladies in even though for a antique morning tea served in antique at the shady verandah overlooking the mountain.
Kalyra and Savannah helped Kim feed the hen and accumulate the eggs, which have been put right into a small bucket (stuffed with leaves) to be taken to the kitchen for the next day to come’s breakfast.
Ultimate Ideas
Bunbury is also a small vacation spot however as you’ll see, there’s a large number of good stuff to do right here. Whether or not you’re in search of nature spots, meals and wine reviews, or just a couple of amusing sights to permit your children to blow off steam, there’s one thing for everybody right here.
Prior to you pass, I like to recommend you pop into the Bunbury Customer Centre to be told concerning the historical past of the area in its small museum. You’ll be able to additionally select up a map and communicate to the group of workers about extra sights within the space.
They are going to have a couple of hidden gemstones to find, too!
Excursions of Bunbury
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What are you maximum excited to do in Bunbury? Percentage your ideas within the feedback! Or go away a query and we’ll be at liberty to respond to it.