Bunbury, Western Australia

The holiday begins. On Monday 20 November 2023 we were up at 5.30 to finish packing for our trip to Bunbury in south-west Western Australia. Our driver collected us from home and took us to the airport. We checked in and then had a quick breakfast before boarding the 9.15 plane. The plane arrived at Perth at 10.30 (Perth time) – a flight of just over four hours.

At the airport in Perth we collected the hire car which we had booked for our stay in Western Australia. Once Robin became used to driving the car, we made our way to Bunbury stopping at a service centre for a vegetable pastie and a cheese and spinach roll. We booked into the Best Western Lord Forrest Hotel. 

Our rooms were on the third floor with a view of the beach, a short walk from the hotel. 

The guest rooms overlooked the restaurant and recreation area on the ground floor.

On one of my walks around the city I discovered a sculpture of Lord Forrest who was at one time Premier of Western Australia. The sculpture was located on the corner of Victoria Street and Stephen Street.

The hotel was centrally located in the town and after unpacking our bags we went for a walk looking for the Visitor Centre which was not in a hurry to be found. We had dinner at the hotel – spaghetti Bolognese. We sent Nick a photo as we often have pasta on a Monday at home.

After dinner we went for another walk. The weather in Bunbury was sunny with temperatures from 14 degrees to 32 degrees.

Exploring Bunbury 2

After breakfast we went for a walk to find the information / visitor centre and were eventually successful after an hour of going around in circles. At the centre staff gave us some maps and information about the area. They recommended that our first visit should be to the Dolphin Centre.

We walked to the Dolphin Centre crossing the pedestrian bridge across the estuary.

Each of the rib structures on the bridge represents a shipwreck in the area.

The names of the shipwrecks and their location on a map is set into the footpath.

As near the beach there are plaques providing information about shipwrecks, whalers and mineral sands.

By the beach at Koombana Bay is a large piece of public art - Wardandi Boodja, a five and a half metre corten steel bust  sculpture representing a Noongar face. It seeks to merge traditional sculpture and advanced fabrication technology to create a striking contemporary artwork.

Closer to the discovery centre we came across some colourful artworks of dolphins.

At the the Dolphin Discovery Centre we started investigating the displays when we were alerted that a dolphin had arrived at the beach.

We all trooped down to the beach to admire the visitor. 

After looking at the various displays we had hot drinks and a scone each in the café at the centre. We also purchased fly nets to put on our hats if flies continued to be annoying.

Another view of the Dolphin Discovery Centre.

On the walk back we watched a cormorant devour a fish.

Back to the hotel and then went for a drive first to Donnybrook to check out the ground for Thursday’s match and then to Australind to check the ground for Friday’s match. 

Dinner in the hotel restaurant was chicken parmigiana – delicious. 

Bunbury’s weather on Tuesday was warm and sunny– minimum temperature 14.1 and maximum temperature 33.1.

Exploring Bunbury 3

Wednesday 22 November
I was up early and went for another walk before breakfast – this time along the estuary. 

This metal sculpture acknowledges the contribution the railways made in the development of Bunbury.

An early morning rowing session on the water.

In Queens Gardens by the estuary I discovered the South West Migrants memorial in the form of a tree sculpture which lists the names of early European settlers in the region.

The Bunbury Garden Labyrinth is a major feature of the gardens.

The Queens Gardens Playground is a popular location for families.

Corellas abound in the area and attempts are made to persuade the birds to move elsewhere.

After breakfast Robin had cricket practice and I explored the shops. 

Later in the morning we drove to Wellington Dam to check the large mural on the wall. 

The bridge near the dam wall was closed but we still had a good view of the mural.

Dardanup was where we had lunch.   

Dardanup celebrated its centenary in 2023. It is a very small community with café and general store, two churches, two schools, shire hall and library.

It acts as the community centre for a large agricultural area. 

The Meet and Greet for the National Championships was held at the Dolphin Discovery Centre. It was good to catch up with people we had not seen since the last last cricket tour. On this occasion the food provided for the event was great and there was plenty of it. - A great improvement on other Meet and Greets we have attended in the past.  

Bunbury weather – sunny, minimum temperature 18.4 and maximum temperature 36.4.

Exploring Bunbury 1

Tuesday 21 November.

I woke up at 5.30 and went for a walk along the path by the beach up the hill to beyond the lighthouse. It was a  beautiful morning except for the over friendly Bunbury flies. 

Along the walk there are signs describing the history of the local area.

On the beach are the remains of the site of the old quarry used to provide rocks for the roads from the 1890s.

The black basalt rocks are the remains of a lava flow that occurred ten million years ago.

There are signs warning dog owners about the dangers of  sea slugs.

This area is known as Wyalup Rocky Point.

A wooden carving - timber marker - on the foreshore.

Colourful plants grow along the pathway.

There were attractive views of the sea.

It was a great place to go for an early morning walk.

On the way back to the hotel I passed a garden with a giant model kangaroo.

Back at the hotel we had an excellent buffet breakfast. I enjoyed the muesli, yoghurt and fresh fruit on offer, plus a Danish pastry, while Robin had a cooked breakfast. We then continued exploring Bunbury.

National Championships - second match and third match

Victoria 2 played two games at Australind.

Friday 24 November
The second cricket match was against Queensland at Australind. Queensland batted first and made 162. Robin bowled seven overs no wickets for 36, however he took a magnificent catch. Victoria 2 could only make 9 for 136. Robin made three runs but was run out when his bat was briefly stuck in a patch of grass. During the match Robin strained a calf muscle. 

I spent the day sitting under shady trees with Ann Pasco, Pauline Stackpoole from Queensland, and Lorraine. Patricia Costello was at the game for a short time before enjoying a non-cricket day. During the game we were entertained by families of birds.

At the hotel restaurant on Friday evening Robin had fish and chips while I enjoyed mushroom and chicken soup and pumpkin plus some risotto balls - delicious. 

Bunbury weather – mainly sunny, minimum temperature 17.6 maximum temperature 27.

Monday 27 November

We returned to Australind for our third cricket match, this time against the ACT. The ACT batted first and were 6 for 138. Victoria 2 passed this total in 37 overs for the loss of only one wicket. Robin had his leg taped and fielded for part of the game until the calf muscle strain became worse and he had to leave the field.

I spent another day in the shade under the trees with Ann, Lorraine and Maree. I also spent some time with Sharon Scott from the ACT team and we went for a walk to photograph several nuytsias growing across the road from the cricket ground. 

The Australind cricket ground is situated in the Leschenault Recreation Reserve.

The cricket ground is several kilometres from the town but I enjoyed several walks exploring the area near the ground during the two cricket games. 

Back to the hotel for dinner where we shared garlic bread, a plate of spaghetti and sticky date pudding.

Bunbury weather – partly cloudy, minimum temperature 18.7 maximum temperature 25.4.

National Championships - first match

Thursday 23 November

The first cricket game of the carnival was at Donnybrook.We left the hotel at 8.15 to travel to the ground  in a van with Jim, Ian Gibson, Neil King and Wayne. 

The players practised before the game.Victoria 2 fielded first and South Australia made 142 runs in their innings. Robin bowled 8 overs, I maiden, 4 wickets for 27 and also took a great catch for another wicket. Victoria lost a couple of wickets early and ended up scoring 6 for 114. Robin did not bat. 

I went for a walk around part of Donnybrook and took some photos. 

Apples are an important crop in this agricultural area.

Apple characters feature in advertising in the town.

This cheery apple and his mate welcomed drivers to a petrol station.

Even the public toilets used the apple theme.

The former railway station now hosts the information centre.

I watched the match sitting under a shady tree with Ann Pasco. 

Back at the hotel Robin posed with his Man of the Match award.

For dinner in the hotel restaurant we had a garlic bread entre and then shared a plate of salmon, potatoes, asparagus plus a leaf salad. Once again we sent a photo of our meal to Nick.

Bunbury weather – sunny, minimum temperature 20.2 with maximum temperature 38.1.