food tourism

Dolphin discovery centre is located in Koombana Bay Bunbury WA and it is a top tourist attractions in Bunbury Western Australia. This attraction is for tourist to have premier wild dolphin experience. They have a good facilities such as cafe and restaurant. Their food are yummy and I do recommended for a taste. They do have 4 tours market. These tours are interaction zone, interpretive centre, Dolphin Eco Cruises and swim with the dolphins.

Firstly, interaction zone with so many dolphins living along the coast, Bunbury and Koombana Bay offer the perfect opportunity for dolphins and humans to meet and interact. The Interaction Zone has been designated as a special dolphin protection area for this very purpose. Under strict license conditions set out by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (BDCA), the Centre has been able to offer a unique interactive experience on the beach right in front of the Centre since 1989. Dolphin Volunteers have been trained to ensure the interaction guidelines are followed and they will always be present on the beach to answer your questions and manage the interaction should dolphins visit the Zone. Naturally, being a wild animal there is no set time, however, the most common visit times are in the mornings of the warmer months between 8 am – 12 noon! Therefore, there is no ticket or booking requires!

Secondly, interpretive centre is the aquarium where will give the tourists to experience the local marine environment. Also, there is a feeding program. All age groups are welcome to participate with interpretive centre. However, there is $18 per person for the admission fees. There is an option of package with the dolphin eco cruises. Please take note that 3 years old and below are free of charge.

Thirdly, the Dolphin Discovery Centre’s Dolphin Eco Cruise is for 90 minutes within Koombana Bay. Centre’s vessel provides an excellent viewing platform designed to get you as close as possible to the dolphins – without getting your feet wet! The team will introduce you to their local Bottlenose Dolphins as they interact in their natural environment. Many of the Dolphins seen on the cruise call Koombana Bay their home. They can be seen frolicking, playing, sleeping and feeding during the cruise. The informative commentary from the skipper will keep you updated throughout. This tour is running daily for 12pm noon scheduled! The cost fees will be $54 per person. I do highly recommended for you as a tourist to go for a tour and experience Dolphin eco cruises. $54 fares included for you to learn more about the Dolphin genders, surfing, food they eat etc…..The best day to go will be between October and May. Please try to avoid cold or raining season due to the horrible weather.

Lastly, I do highly recommended for swim with the dolphins for an intimate swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment. This tour is the most popular and exhilarating experience. Visitors are given the opportunity to swim with the wild Bottlenose Dolphins in their own environment. Accompanied by my experienced guide and trained volunteers you will venture into the open waters of Koombana Bay. Depending on dolphin sightings you will be guided into the water where the dolphins may elect to initiate interaction with the swimmers. As they are wild dolphins, interaction cannot be guaranteed. This tour is only available between November – April. Always running at 8am sharps. Regarding to the prices, swimmers will be cost $165 per person, Observers cost $85 per person.

History of Dolphin Discovery Centre

During the mid 1960s, local resident Mrs Evelyn Smith began feeding the dolphins from a small jetty near her home on the Leschenault Inlet (directly south of the Discovery Centre). However, it wasn’t until 1989 that a dolphin specialist was hired by the newly established Bunbury Dolphin Trust to continue this tradition and begin feeding and studying the local dolphins of Koombana Bay.

From this work came the establishment of the Interaction Zone in 1990 and the Dolphin Discovery Centre in 1994 to allow tourists and members of the community to interact, understand and enjoy the group of five to six dolphins that regularly visit this Zone. We don’t clearly understand why the dolphins continue to visit the Zone today, however, research suggests that the small amount of food they receive as a reward for their visit is not the only attraction. There are many dolphins that visit the Zone regularly that do not receive any fish and many of them stay for extended periods of time for interaction with the human visitors. Sick and injured dolphins also treat the beach as a haven, with some repeatedly visiting during periods of illness or injury. A weekly dolphin visitation chart is maintained on site as a guide for people who visit the Centre. The Dolphin Discovery Centre will continue to grow and increase its resources to further make its mark on the tourism industry and to continue to care and conserve the Koombana Bay dolphins.

How to get to the Dolphin Discovery Centre?

Well, this is depend on where are you coming down from. If you are coming down from Perth airport, you will need to book for the South West Coachlines buses from airport to the Bunbury Bus Station. It will takes for about 3 hours to get to Bunbury. If you are coming down from Perth City, there is two public transportation go to Bunbury. They are Australind train line and the South West Coachline buses. The pickup point for the buses will be at Elizabeth Quay Bus Station. It will takes for 4 hours to get there from Perth. After you arrive the Bunbury Bus Station, it will take you for a walk to Dolphin Discovery Centre for about 15 to 20 minutes walk. Buses is strongly recommended as the distance to the DDC is pretty closely. For the train line, it will takes for 2 hours to get to Bunbury which is very good and fast but there is a distance to the centre so you will need to take the bus to get to the centre from Bunbury train station if you catch train line down. Train line is much cheaper than buses. This will be up to your preference. Go for a visit and Enjoy yourself!!