Editor Pick
Dolphin Discovery Centre
- May 19, 2006
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
If you have been flipping through guide books to see what there actually is to do in Bunbury, just about the only thing of note you're likely to find is the Dolphin Discovery Centre. Staying with locals, we went to try and avoid the touristy things (not that there is all that much of it in Western Australia, the reason we came west instead of east in the first place), but decided on a nice day of puttering around town that we might as well stop in and see the town's one big attraction.
The Dolphin Discovery Centre is one of those things you can enjoy having done mostly because you're visit is contributing to something well worth contributing to. If you think of it as a way to give a small donation to the support of dolphins in the wild and dolphin research and get a little something back then you will leave feeling happily pleased with yourself, and not disappointed. If you go expecting a big tourist attraction, you are likely to feel a bit let down.
It's a small place, with a room for viewing dolphin videos, a smallish room posted with dolphin information and pictures of the local dolphins, and a gift shop. And that's about all you get with out paying an extortionate price for swimming with dolphins that you aren't allowed to touch or come in contact with in any way. (In my opinion, you may as well try your luck swimming in Koombana Bay.) I met up with an Irish couple on a trip down south who had been on the boat tour at the Discovery Centre and said it was brilliant--that the dolphins swim all along side you and it's a great thing to see. But for $35 you can take an hour long cruise on one of the amazing Bussleton yachts and see just as much dolphin activity. However, the money wouldn't be going for any preservational purposes.
It is, actually, worth stopping into the centre if you have any interest in the local marine life at all--as I said--mostly to pay homage to the institution. It's all done with volunteer work, and they definitely have their work cut out for them. And not only that--your $4 entry ticket is good for three months, so if you don't spot any dolphins in the estuary when you arrive, you are free to pop back in any time for the next three months at a chance to see them. (They recommend early morning for the best chance.)
The centre is open every day from 8am-4pm
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