Koolambidi is Bunbury’s first youth precinct. Koolambidi Woola translates to ‘celebrating young people’ in Noongar – and it’s designed to do just that. The precinct boasts a multi-sports court, parkour areas, mini golf, a youth services building, beach climbing net, event and performance space and more.
Youth precinct with sports & activities
There’s something sporty for all ages and abilities at Koolambidi Woola. The precinct was designed by skate park designers, which means the space has been perfectly imagined for children to play together or apart. The skating opportunities are huge for little ones on scooters or experienced half pikers and there’s parkour to pit your wits again too. There’s also BBQ facilities and picnic tables to cater for the rest of the family.
Community events and performances
Koolambidi-Woola also has a performance space and with so many different activities available, this is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for things to do in Bunbury.
Take a walk on the wild side at Bunbury Wildlife park, which is regularly voted one of the top 10 things to do in Bunbury on TripAdvisor. It’s home to a range of furry and feathered native Australian animals, including marsupials, birds and reptiles. The park also hosts birthday parties and caters for group bookings.
Native Australian animals
You can feed parrots in the free flight aviaries or spend time with the chatty cockatoos. Bunbury Wildlife Park has a troop of friendly kangaroos, who love to come up and say hello, especially if you’ve purchased some of the animal seed to feed them. The enclosures are spacious and the animals are well cared for.
Family-friendly activities
You can easily make a day of it at Bunbury Wildlife Park. There’s a picnic area if you want to grab a bite, as well as a fantastic children’s playground and informative talks from the expert keepers. For those who can’t resist a cuddle, they also have farm animals to pet and feed.
Boasting four separate formal exhibition spaces, as well as community exhibition facilities, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) is the South West’s premier public art gallery.
The exhibition schedule is complemented by an extensive range of public programs, events, functions, classes and workshops.
Diverse exhibitions
BRAG offers a Noongar Arts program, as well as curator talks and art in conversation with prominent local artists, making it one of the most educational of Bunbury’s tourist attractions.
Public programs and workshops
Since its inception, the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery has provided the South West community with access to exhibitions of the highest calibre from regional, state and national sources. The exhibition schedule has been complemented by extensive education programs, with local school visits, school holiday programs and mother and baby classes.
If you’re looking for things to do in Bunbury, a visit to the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre will show you a different side to the city, introducing you to the vibrant characters that made the vibrant port city what it is today.
Historical exhibits
Learn more about shipwrecks, the struggles of early settlers, convicts, the Bunbury port, the oldest continuous living culture of the Wardandi Noongar Aboriginal Australians and the people of the town who contributed to this city’s rich history.
Local Studies collection
The collection contains reports, maps, official photographs and records, oral histories, local history books and newspaper archives. They hold copies of most Bunbury newspapers on microfilm from 1853 to 2005 and paper copies of the Bunbury Mail from 1990 to 2012. These provide a fascinating record of life gone by.
The Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre (BREC) is one of Bunbury’s attractions, bringing laughter, excitement, culture and entertainment to the region.
There is always something exciting, original and enchanting happening at this Bunbury attraction.
Variety of shows
One of the reasons a visit to BREC is one of the best things to do in Bunbury is the variety of shows it offers. From French film festivals to popular children’s productions, comedy and tribute bands, there’s something to suit everyone.
Event spaces for community gatherings
BREC also has a number of spaces that can be hired. They are one of Western Australia’s leading conference centres, with state-of-the-art staging and technology, and also have extensive modern, professional meetings rooms and spaces for birthdays, weddings and celebrations of life.
The Dolphin Discovery Centre is one of the most popular Bunbury tourist spots, offering interactions with dolphins in the wild. They offer a blend of education and wildlife experience through their supervised interaction zone, an indoor interpretive centre and eco cruises.
As a not-for-profit DDC is focused on conservation, education, and research funded through ecotourism.
Dolphin Interaction Zone
One of the best things to do in Bunbury for free, the dolphin interaction zone at Koombana Beach allows visitors the chance to interact with dolphins by standing knee to waist deep in a line in the water where dolphins swim along.
Dolphin Eco Cruise
This 90 minute dolphin eco cruise takes you through the calm waters of Koombana Bay and is the best way to see and experience bottlenose dolphins in their environment. On the custom-built boat with its large viewing platform, you can see dolphins frolicking, playing, sleeping, and feeding without getting your feet wet.
Swim with wild dolphins
The award-winning swim with the dolphins tour runs from November – April and is the most thrilling and exciting dolphin experience (3-4 hours). Join for an intimate swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide and trained volunteers as you venture into the beautiful waters of Koombana Bay. All equipment, snacks and drinks are provided.
The Stirling Street Arts Centre building is owned and maintained by the City of Bunbury. Purpose built and unveiled in 2020, this is home to a vibrant community arts scene.
Community art hub
Stirling Street Arts Centre is a hub for the community, with a plethora of workshops for adults, teens and kids to choose from. Adults can learn how to work with silver and stained glass, while kids can crochet, create their own picture books or get immersed in pottery.
Exhibitions and events
Stirling Arts Centre has an array of exhibitions, as well as a funded artist in residence program. They also have a range of community events, with the Art in the Garden market being the highlight of the year. This offers the chance to sample local foods, and buy local art. It’s also one of the best things to do in Bunbury for free, as there are plenty of free workshops and a great atmosphere to enjoy.
The Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum has been established to showcase the South West’s hidden treasures. It holds regular events and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Classic Car exhibits
A fantastic thing to do in Bunbury, the motor museum has a diverse collection of veteran, vintage, classic vehicles, racing cars, motorbikes and auto memorabilia. There’s a huge range of vehicles displayed and detailed with care.
Younger family members might enjoy a free drive in the simulator, while the mature might enjoy the photographs of their careful restorations.
History of motorsports in Bunbury
The memorabilia and vehicles showcase the rich history of motorsports in Western Australia.
Locally grown, locally made, locally created, The Bunbury Markets are held every first and third Saturday of the month except in August when the markets take a winter break.
Artisan products and fresh produce
With the motto ‘make it, bake it, sew it, grow it’, you know The Bunbury Markets are going to be teeming with quality artisan products and delicious fresh local produce.
Weekend market atmosphere
In addition to the 100 stalls regularly of high-quality produce and products, the markets have a weekend atmosphere. Set in a family friendly park environment, overlooking the water and children’s play area, they are one of Bunbury’s top tourist spots.
Famed across the South West, the Bunbury Farmers Market is a huge Bunbury attraction, taking out the top spot on TripAdvisor.
Fresh local produce
You can choose from fresh seasonal fruit and veg to gourmet cheeses. There’s also an on-site barista and butcher.
Gourmet products and ready-made meals
The Bunbury Farmers Market also has a huge range of tasty ready-meals, including their famous pies, with healthy, nutritious food to please even the fussiest palates.
It’s easy to get around in Bunbury. You can hire an instantly recognisable e-scooter from purple Beam scooters or hop on a bike from Melo Velo.
Convenient and eco-friendly travel
Offering convenient and eco-friendly travel, both brands are operated via an app that allows you to pay as you go. Simply find a scooter, log into the app, pop on a helmet and enjoy the chance to scoot along to some Bunbury sightseeing.
Best scenic routes for Bunbury sightseeing
Riders are prohibited from entering the cafe strip of Victoria Street to keep the paths safe. You can enjoy the ride on less populated streets and surrounds, and scooters make a great way to visit Bunbury’s attractions.
Bunbury is home to several lookouts, giving panoramic views of our city and the ocean.
Marlston Hill Lookout Tower
Climb the Marlston Hill Lookout for one of the best, sweeping, 360 degree views of Bunbury, taking in Bunbury harbour and Bunbury’s famed checked lighthouse.
Other scenic viewpoints in Bunbury
Or you can brave the Boulters stairs to take in the view atop Boulters Heights or simply drive to the top – located at Haig Crescent.
Situated at Mangrove Cove across from Koombana Bay is another popular Bunbury tourist spot and lookout, with a viewing deck at the top and an accessible playground nearby.
Head to the newly upgraded Maidens Reserve for an epic view of the Indian Ocean after climbing the stairs to the top of the lookout – or take the ramp!
Perfect for cooling off on a hot day, Bunbury Splash Park is another great thing to do in Bunbury for free.
Family-friendly water activities
This ship-wreck-themed splash centre has over 40 water features, including a tipping bucket and multiple spray zones. The shade sails make it friendly for splashers and their families, with BBQ facilities, toilets, picnic shelters and benches nearby.
Ideal for kids and toddlers
Kids and toddlers will love the tipping bucket, which tips every five minutes, as well as the showering palm trees, flower cannons, beachballs, spraying kites and windsocks. There are also slower paced areas for younger children, making it a great family day out.
