Things To Do With Kids In Bunbury

Things To Do With Kids In Bunbury

Where to start?  Kids are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do in and around beautiful Bunbury with the added bonus that many of these are FREE!

Koombana Bay recently underwent a multi-million dollar redevelopment and is now the flagship of the Bunbury foreshore with a revamped kiosk, amphitheatre, barbeque facilities, a pedestrian promenade, shaded areas, an iconic footbridge and a ‘funtastic’ new playground.  The calm waters of the bay and the expanse of pristine beach make this a perfect setting for kid-friendly seaside activities and with so many fresh, new amenities on the foreshore, it’s ideal for a family day out.

A town populated entirely by gnomes?  Over three thousand of them?  This extraordinary place simply has to be seen to be believed and trust us, your kids will absolutely love it.   Put on your walking shoes, pack a picnic and head for Gnomesville where you’ll discover a huge community of these cheeky and charming little people ‘living’ in the scenic bushland and going about their everyday lives.  Gnomesville is only a quick 20-minute hop from Bunbury and is a quirky and fun way of spending time outdoors with the kids.

And if the idea of a nature walk in the great outdoors appeals to you, you should head down to the foreshore for a fun experience on the Big Swamp Parklands Walk.  An easy 2.5km path meanders around this unique wetland reserve and you can try and spot some of the over 70 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish which inhabit this beautiful area.  The pathway is pram and wheelchair-friendly and has a few boardwalks and bird hides for extra interest and access to the centre of the lake.

Children love animals and yours will go wild for the Bunbury Wildlife Park in Prince Philip Drive in South Bunbury where there are over 60 varieties of native animals in an open parkland setting.  Your kids can feed the birds, pat the kangaroos, chat with the cockatoos and let their hair down in the huge playground just outside the park.

Little explorers will have the best time climbing to the top of the Marlston Hill Lookout Tower for a birdseye view of the whole of Bunbury.  It’s a fabulous opportunity for them to see how the city is laid out and to see if they recognise places like their home and their school from above.

Another great idea for keeping the kids entertained is to take them to the Forrest Park Miniature Railway where everyone (adults included) can enjoy fun and safe train rides whilst learning a little about how they work from the friendly operators.

The Dolphin Discovery Centre is one of Bunbury’s premier attractions and it’s not hard to see why.  Their boat tour in Koombana Bay is a great opportunity to see wild bottlenose dolphins in their own environment and to get up close and personal with our fascinating marine world.  The cost of the tour includes free admission to the discovery centre and your kids may even get a chance to feed these incredible mammals.

And if you’re at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, make sure to visit the nearby Mangrove Boardwalk, a short 200m stroll which showcases the world’s most southernmost white mangroves.  It’s a walk which the whole family will enjoy and there are plenty of places to stop and take photos, plus you can enjoy a little treat at one of the many cafes nearby.

And if the idea of the biggest free entry playground in the whole of Australia appeals to you, you should make a beeline for the Apple FunPark situated in the charming town of Donnybrook, 36kms south-east of Bunbury.  With dedicated toddler and pre-schooler areas, four-level towers with slides, rope bridges and flying foxes, climbing walls, a spacenet and ride-on animals, it’s the ideal destination for active family fun.  And with an outdoor gym circuit right there, the adults can have a workout too!

And after all this activity, you will probably want somewhere to go where you can unwind and enjoy delicious food, warm and welcoming service, beautiful setting and surprisingly good prices, right?  Well, then you should head straight to Aristos Bunbury, home to the region’s finest seafood and other delicious menu items.   Aristos Bunbury is a tried and tested family favourite restaurant in the South West and is the perfect spot to enjoy a memorable meal after a day of activities with the kids.  Make a booking online at www.aristosbunbury.com.au or give them a call on 08 9791 6477 and make a date.