Day 44: Wed 1 May 24 - Bunbury

Day 44: Wed 1 May 24 - Bunbury 

17 Deg with no rain overnight and wind reaching 35km/h early in the morning. We woke to a mostly clear sky and still no rain. The day did eventually become cloudy, and reached a balmy 25 Deg, with moderate NE winds. It did eventually start raining in the mid afternoon, and there was excitement in the streets. Seriously, people came out of buildings and were excited to see the rain, as there hasn't been any since October last year. 


After a morning walk along the foreshore to Mariston Hill Lookout and back to the van, followed by breakfast, Noel and I went into the Dolphin Discover Centre. Most days in the morning, wild dolphins venture close to shore to say hello, but today was not one of those days. It wasn’t wasted as we had a coffee in the cafeteria, then went inside into the Interpretive Centre which we both enjoyed. Inside we learned about Bottlenose Dolphins (unfortunately no live exhibits), Loggerhead Turtles and Octopuses. There were some excellent, well stocked Offshore Aquariums, and we watched the feeding of rescue Turtles and Octopuses. As luck would have it, we were also there in time to watch the weighing and measuring of four rescue turtles to monitor their recovery from various injuries or illnesses before they are released back into the ocean. It was a very interesting experience. Afterward, we returned to the van for lunch via the bakery for fresh bread rolls, then we needed a rest. Afterward we returned to town again to visit the Art Gallery in a lovely old pink building which started as a convent in 1897, then becoming a school. It’s a lovely old building, and for a town filled with wonderful street art, the exhibition inside the gallery was very disappointing. There were only two exhibits that we liked. Soon after we continued on our way walking into town, before the sky opened up. Finally it was raining (not that we want it), but the locals were excited. We eventually made our way back to the van where I did some admin then we ventured over to Colin and Carols van for a farewell drink before we go our seperate ways tomorrow. We’re confident we will cross paths again somewhere on the road north. Meanwhile, as I write with rain tapping on the roof, we are grateful for the wonderful weather that we have had so far this trip. We have been very lucky, and pleased that the rain held off long enough for us to see as much of Bunbury as we did. The batteries are a getting a little low tonight, so thankfully, we will have the luxury of power from tomorrow at Rockingham for a five day visit. Tomorrow will also be another short drive too.


Morning Walk along the Beach

Morning Walk along the Beach

Morning Walk along the Beach

Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre 

Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre

Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre
Recording measurements of recovering juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtles for release back into the ocean

Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre


Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre
An Octopus - Has 9 Brains, 3 hearts, can squeeze through a hole the size of its eye, and has the intelligence of a young child. Remarkably, Octopuses only live for about two years (males die soon after mating).

Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre
A young, very shy Octopus.


Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre

Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre
Sea Horse

Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre

Bunbury - Dolphin Discovery Centre


Koombana Bay Lookout opposite the Dolphin Discovery Centre

View from the Koombana Bay Lookout 

Koombana Bay Lookout 

Bunbury Regional Art Gallery  - One of only two interesting pieces


Bunbury Regional Art Gallery - One of only two interesting pieces


Bunbury Street Art

Bunbury Street Art


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