Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia
Western Australia's second city delivers wild dolphins, a vibrant café strip, and easy access to wine country — all from one of the state's most approachable regional ports.
Western Australia's second city delivers wild dolphins, a vibrant café strip, and easy access to wine country — all from one of the state's most approachable regional ports.
Ships berth at Bunbury's industrial Outer Harbour, about 3-4 km from the city center — count on the cruise line shuttle to get you in.
💡 Pro move: The port has no passenger terminal facilities — there are no shops or cafes dockside. Bring water for the short wait.
Bunbury is a docked port; tender operations are not used for standard cruise calls.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Outer Harbour, Berth 1📍 | Docked |
| Smaller expedition vessels | Outer Harbour, inner berths📍 | Docked |
From dolphin eco-cruises to Ferguson Valley wineries, Bunbury punches well above its size for a regional port day.
Koombana Bay and the surrounding Bunbury waters host a local population of over 100 wild bottlenose dolphins. Swim or wade with them at the beach, or join a guided eco-cruise (about 60-90 min) guaranteeing sightings.
Find dolphin cruise tours →Stroll elevated boardwalks through Western Australia's southernmost mangrove forest, then loop around the calm Leschenault Inlet on a shared-use path with great birdwatching.
Find nature walk tours →Bunbury boasts the largest public mural collection in regional Australia. Pick up a free trail map from the Visitor Centre and walk between street-art works, capping it with coffee on the lively Victoria Street cappuccino strip.
Find city walking tours →A 25-minute drive inland brings you to Bunbury's boutique wine and craft-beer region, with cellar doors, cheese tastings, and the quirky roadside sculpture garden at Gnomesville.
Find Ferguson Valley wine tours →Forty-five minutes south, the 1.8 km Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. Ride the jetty train, peer into the underwater observatory, and watch stingrays below.
Find Busselton Jetty tours →The pink convent-turned-gallery holds the largest public art collection in regional WA. Combine it with the Bunbury Heritage Trail, which links the Old Gaol, historic St Patrick's Cathedral, and the Old Railway Station.
Find heritage tour experiences →Bunbury's compact CBD is flat and easy to navigate on foot once the shuttle drops you at the Visitor Centre.
From the Visitor Centre head south along Koombana Drive to the Dolphin Discovery Centre, walk the bay shoreline where dolphins often come right up to the shore, then loop back through Marlston Waterfront and the Leschenault Inlet promenade.
Walk Victoria Street from end to end, soaking up the café scene and murals, then detour up the timber stairway to Marlston Hill Lookout Tower for 360° views over the harbor and coastline.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 83°F / 28°C | 63°F / 17°C | 1 | 5:23 AM | 7:29 PM |
| Feb | 83°F / 28°C | 63°F / 17°C | 2 | 5:53 AM | 7:09 PM |
| Mar | 79°F / 26°C | 62°F / 17°C | 4 | 6:16 AM | 6:35 PM |
| Apr | 72°F / 22°C | 57°F / 14°C | 6 | 6:39 AM | 5:54 PM |
| May | 66°F / 19°C | 54°F / 12°C | 10 | 7:01 AM | 5:25 PM |
| Jun | 62°F / 17°C | 52°F / 11°C | 13 | 7:19 AM | 5:16 PM |
| Jul | 61°F / 16°C | 51°F / 11°C | 16 | 7:19 AM | 5:27 PM |
| Aug | 61°F / 16°C | 50°F / 10°C | 12 | 6:55 AM | 5:48 PM |
| Sep | 63°F / 17°C | 51°F / 11°C | 10 | 6:16 AM | 6:08 PM |
| Oct | 67°F / 19°C | 53°F / 12°C | 7 | 5:36 AM | 6:30 PM |
| Nov | 74°F / 23°C | 56°F / 13°C | 4 | 5:07 AM | 6:57 PM |
| Dec | 80°F / 27°C | 60°F / 16°C | 2 | 5:02 AM | 7:22 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Most cruise lines provide a complimentary shuttle between the Outer Harbour terminal and the Bunbury Visitor Centre in the city center, about 3-4 km away. Check your ship bulletin for timing.
Bunbury Taxis and 13cabs serve the port. The 3-4 km ride to the city center costs roughly A–14 with flagfall (~A.50) plus per-km charges; surcharges apply on weekends.
Uber is confirmed available in Bunbury. Request via the app from the terminal; pricing is upfront and typically comparable to or slightly cheaper than taxis.
TransBunbury local routes connect the port area and city center at very low cost, but scheduling may not align well with cruise departure times.