Around 175km south of Perth lies a picturesque city with harbours and beaches on three sides. A paradise for anyone who loves swimming, watercraft, fishing, or scenic strolls - Bunbury has grown steadily since its discovery by French explorer Captain de Freycinet in 1803. Today, 56,000 people call Bunbury home – along with more than 100 bottlenose dolphins who jump and play in Koombana Bay.

Named after Lieutenant Henry William St. Pierre Bunbury in honour of his explorations in 1836, Bunbury is predominantly a mining town, with a busy deep-water port transporting more than 12 million tonnes of cargo each year.  It is a city that manages to combine the benefits of a large cosmopolitan centre with the ambience of a small town. Shops, services, entertainment, family restaurants and fine dining are aplenty, but so too are scenic natural parks and beaches, boutique stores, galleries and museums.

Catching dinner:
One of the reasons why the restaurants of Bunbury boast such amazing cuisine, is their proximity to delicious seafood. A trip to Bunbury is never complete without trying your hand at crabbing - Leschenault Estuary is an ideal spot, where the water is shallow enough that you can set up and pull in your traps without needing a boat.  

If you’re not a fan of crustaceans, you might want to try one of the many popular line-fishing locations. Beach, rock and jetty fishing spots are available and the Visitors Centre will have information on each of these areas and the limits for catching fish and crabs.

Underwater fun:
Bunbury is a popular diving destination, with plenty of marine life and flora. If you fancy diving a wreck, a fishing boat was sunk for that purpose 3 nautical miles off the coast of Bunbury, and is a great place to view the marine life that now call the wreck home.

Dolphins:
Friendly dolphins swim so frequently around Koombana Bay that a Dolphin Discover Centre was built to educate locals and visitors about these amazing mammals. There are also dolphin cruises and swims available between November and April.

Water sports:
The locals love to water-ski, Jet Ski, and zip around in motorboats. To provide the right balance of tranquility and excitement, the council has designated certain areas motorboat friendly, while other areas are engine-free. Check at the Visitors Centre for the best spots to rev your engines, or alternatively windsurf, sail, row, kayak, or swim.

Exploring on foot
The Visitors Centre has maps and guides for anyone who wishes to enjoy walking around Bunbury. You can explore the town, museums and galleries by walking along do-it-yourself city tours, or alternatively get out in nature and see the Mangroves, Wellington Dam, Crooked Brook Forest and Ferguson Valley to name a few.

When to go
Bunbury is the perfect destination for a break at any time of the year, although June to September is the best time for whale watching and November to April is ideal for swimming and sunbathing (with sunblock of course!).

How to get there
Although buses and trains travel regularly to Bunbury from Perth, a car allows you to enjoy the sites and towns along the two-hour drive. Once in Bunbury, a car will make it easier for you to visit different beaches, restaurants, and attractions. You can also rent cars from within the city.

Bunbury’s location is also ideal for sailors, so if you need a mooring, check out the information for Bunbury Casuarina Boat Harbour.

Accommodation
Enjoy the luxury of a private 2-story villa by the ocean or marvel at the views from your private balcony in a high-rise “lighthouse” resort. Whether you are after a quaint century-old cottage or a modern five-star hotel, you will find your dream break in TakeABreak’s Bunbury listings.

Ideal length of visit
Bunbury can be used as a jumping-off point to a variety of attractions, towns, beaches and vineyards in the region. You could easily spend a week enjoying Bunbury on its own, or longer if you choose to explore further. Bunbury is also a fantastic weekend getaway for anyone living within a few hours of the town.

Further information
The Bunbury Visitor Centre is located at the Old Railway Station in Carmody Place. Check out their website for opening hours and frequently updated information.

Author Kylie-Jane Degeling
Is a freelance writer who has lived in Adelaide, Yulara (Uluru), Alice Springs and Canberra, as well as five different countries throughout the world. After backpacking around Australia, she
worked as a tour guide in Central Australia, before training for her Commercial Pilot License and working as a flight instructor, scenic flight and charter pilot. She later worked as a travelling IT trainer for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which involved spending time in each of their 16 District Offices around the country on a frequent rotating basis.

Having experienced Australia as a backpacker, tour guide, pilot and business traveller, Kylie now enjoys family holidays with her husband Alex, and children Jezzy and Jordan. She says, "I have been lucky to see Australia from a variety of perspectives, and as a travel writer can use this experience to inspire others to find holidays they would enjoy."

Kylie currently works as a travel writer in addition to being a government writer and columnist for two parenting magazines.