Bunbury Shore Excursion Reviews

Bunbury is WA's third largest city so it's no wonder there is a wide variety of food to suit everyone's tastes and budget. Being a coastal region, seafood is popular and, as a family-friendly tourist town, all the well-known fast food chains are represented.

For lunch, or simply a mid-morning or afternoon snack, stroll down Victoria Street's Coffee Strip, around the corner from the Visitor Information Centre, where you'll find plenty of good cafes, many award-winning restaurants and historic pubs to enjoy.

Mojo's Restaurant & Cafe: This cafe is located in the Grand Cinema complex in Victoria Street. Head Chef Dave Dunne's multi-award-winning cuisine makes this one of Bunbury's most popular restaurants while still remaining affordable. Given the proximity to a top wine region, the wine list is extensive. For lunch daily there are sharable 'Bar Bites' such as arancini, steamed buns, cheese churros, or glazed short ribs, while the menu serves up cafe-priced pulled pork rolls, house-smoked Cranbrook bacon and egg sandwich, goat's cheese tart with braised leeks and salad as well as a grass-fed beef sirloin.

(Victoria Street, Bunbury; +61 897 925 900; Open daily, Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

(140 Victoria St, Bunbury; +61 897 212 254; Lunch daily until 3 p.m., kitchen closes at 2 p.m.)

Corners on King: Homemade, gluten-free, different -- that's the consensus on what endears this place to its diners. Serving lunch daily until 3 pm, you can expect to find sweet things galore such as a gluten-free lemon syrup cake, homemade pavlova, GF waffles with berries...you get the idea. On the savoury side, you will find huge burgers and sandwiches made on local Yallingup Wood Fired Bread. All served up just across the road from Leschenault Inlet.

(Shop 3, 2 Austral Parade, Bunbury; +61 897 214 030; open daily, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Nicola's Ristorante: If a $20 menu sounds what you need for lunch, then you'll be delighted to see it includes choices such as garlic prawns, Nicola's club wrap, Reuben sandwiches, several salads and fish and chips.

(62-64 Victoria St, Bunbury; +61 897 913 926; open, Monday to Saturday 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.)

Leschenault Inlet: This is known as a good place for kite surfers, and there are classes available.

Dalyellup Beach: Farther from town, to the south, this beach is popular with those that know it. The carpark is at road level and has showers, and steps leading down to the beach. The surf conditions vary, but the water is clear and there is good fishing, locals say. Again, a lovely spot at sunset.

Dolphin Discovery Centre: A very special experience is taking a dip with the dozens of wild bottlenose dolphins who live in the bay. Meet them in their own environment (December to April). It's a fifteen-minute walk from town to the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Koombana Drive where you may take a tour or snorkel with dolphins year round inside the centre. If there for lunch, check the menu for stunning local blue manna crabs. Mornings are the best time to plan a visit. Adults $10, children $5, families $25, tickets allow three visits.

(LOT 830 Koombana Drive; +61 897 913 088; Open daily, year-round: October to April 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., June to September 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Dolphin and whale watching: Boat tours and cruises on the inlet are also available. Octopus Garden Marine Charters offer diving charters in the crystal-clear waters off Bunbury at various dive sites, including the FV Lena dive wreck -- Bunbury's sunken treasure! The charter boats depart and return from Casuarina Boat Harbour, which is adjacent to the main port. (Casuarina Boat Harbour; +61 438 925 011)

Bunbury Wildlife Park: This wildlife park is located in the Big Swamp Parkland at Prince Philip Drive, South Bunbury. An excellent family experience with walk-through aviaries of native birds, there's a chance to get up close and personal with a kangaroo or an emu, or peep at snoozing nocturnal animals in a shady corner. Admission: Adult: $9.50; Children (3 to 16 years): $5; children under 3 are free.

(Prince Philip Drive, South Bunbury; +61 897 218 380; Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Big Swamp Parkland: This unique wetland reserve is home to more than 70 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. Stroll the two-kilometre route around the swamp using boardwalks, lookouts and a bird hide to observe and enjoy wide diversity of native birdlife, flowers and animals.

Marlston Hill Lookout Tower: For a sunset view, or just to orientate yourself, a walk up to the tower will guarantee spectacular unrestricted panoramic views over Bunbury Harbour and the city, several popular beaches and the breakwater. If you are lucky, you can watch bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the water at Koombana Bay. The tower is the site of the original Bunbury Lighthouse. Nearby is a new (1988) 25-metre black-and-white chequered lighthouse. (10A Whale View, Bunbury)

Koombana Bay: Meander along the foreshore of Koombana Bay for some relaxing time out. Along the way, you will find a family friendly beach, parkland, a boardwalk (take some mosquito repellent). You can also watch the dolphins or have a snack at the beach cafe.

Bunbury Regional Art Galleries: These galleries are housed in a former convent now painted pale pink. The two floors allow for up to five exhibitions at one time, changing every six weeks, so there is always something new to see. The galleries are a great supporter of local artistic talent and you'll see all genres here. Free entry, donations accepted.

(64 Wittenoom Street, Bunbury; +61 897 927 323; Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Leschenault Inlet: Located in East Bunbury, this body of water runs between Koombana Drive and Bunbury City. Walk the 5.3km circuit for a truly tranquil experience and enjoy the rich diversity of birds, including pelicans and penguins. Again, keep your eyes peeled to see if you can spot any of the dolphins that also enjoy these waters.

Lava Art Glass Gallery & Studio: If you like admiring the local art scene or are seeking a unique souvenir or two, Lava Art Glass Gallery & Studio is a gallery for high-end art glass and collectors. The studio showcases art glass by Western Australian glass artists., exclusively.

(Unit 3/15, Bonnefoi Boulevard, Marlston Waterfront, Bunbury; +61 897 217 213; open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday. to Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park: The narrow Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park, 18 kilometres drive north of Bunbury, has three walking trails ranging from 1.5 km return to 9 km one-way. The park is also ideal for those who are fascinated by waterbirds and appreciate the diversity of wildflowers, heathland plants and grasses.