After I had spent a day cycling in Bunbury WA, it seemed to me that here was a perfect opportunity to get my husband, Derek, riding again now that he had recovered from his back injury.
The attractive city of Bunbury lies just 180 kilometres south of Perth and has a population of 32,000. The main economic activities for the region are mining and mineral processing and Bunbury Port plays a crucial role in the export and import of goods.
The City of Bunbury has produced a brochure called “Cycle-It Bunbury”, which is an excellent resource if you are planning on cycling in Bunbury. You can get your copy from the Bunbury Visitor Centre or down-load a copy from the City of Bunbury website.
While spending a week in Bunbury, Derek and I developed these 5 easy, family-friendly bike rides in interesting locations around Bunbury. Kenji the dog joined us in my bike basket when we went to give them a test-pedal.
1. Beach Ride from Wyalup-Rocky Point to Hastie Street Carpark (4 Kms One Way)
Start at any carpark along this stretch of coastline and head north to Wyalup-Rocky Point
or south towards the Hastie Street carpark.
Highlights are the beautiful beach views,
and the interesting basalt formations at Wyalup-Rocky Point.
Family Friendly Cafe: Backbeach Cafe has a special area for younger children and dogs are welcome on the verandah.
Facilities: Public toilets are available at Wyalup-Rocky Point, Back Beach, Hungry Hollow Beach and south of Mangle Street. There are also plenty of shaded lookouts for a picnic lunch.
Extend your ride: From the southern end, you can take the path along Hayward Street to Big Swamp Reserve (see 5 below).
2. Koombana Foreshore (2 Kms One Way)
Park near the Dolphin Discovery Centre and pedal west along the beach looking for dolphins as you go. When we were there, a group of people were in the water in the Dolphin Interaction Zone, managed by the Dolphin Discovery Centre. We could see two or three dolphins saying hello.
Ride across the pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the channel between Koombana Beach and the Leschenault Inlet
and continue along the waterfront to the Jetty Baths playground.
This ride is great for catching a glimpse of a dolphin (I saw one near the Marlston Waterfront very close into shore) and for lovely views towards the white sand dunes of the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park. You might also see a large ship coming into port.
Family Friendly Cafes: Hello Summer Beach Kiosk or the Dome Cafe on the Marlston Waterfront.
Facilities: Public toilets are available at Koombana Beach and the Jetty Baths.
Extend your ride: Continue on to the Leschenault Inlet Loop (see 3 below)
3. Leschenault Inlet (6 Kms Loop)
Start at Cobblestone Street carpark, the Frank Buswell Foreshore Reserve or the Sykes Foreshore Reserve and pedal either east or west.
Keep an eye out for dolphins (I saw one here as well). I really liked the Mangrove Boardwalk, which showcases a colony of white mangroves.
Family Friendly Cafes: Waters Edge and The Happy Wife.
Facilities: Public toilets are available near the Cobblestone Street carpark, the Frank Buswell Foreshore Reserve and near the boat ramp at the Sykes Foreshore Reserve.
Extend your ride: Add on the Koombana Foreshore (see 2 above).
4. Pelican Point (4 Kms Loop)
Park at the San Marco Promenade Park and take the bike path either way along the foreshore.
There’s a bit of climbing on the two arched bridges over the canal, but the pay-off is the roll down the other side.
Family Friendly Cafe: None that are safely accessible from this ride. Bring a picnic lunch or morning tea.
Facilities: Public toilets are available at the San Marco Promenade Park, Shoalhaven South (off Venezia Boulevard) and at the carpark at the end of Riviera Way.
Extend your ride: There is a bike path that runs alongside Estuary Drive which connects Pelican Point to the Leschenault Inlet ride (see 2 above). Unfortunately this connecting bike path is not suitable for young children as there is a section where the path is directly next to the road.
5. Big Swamp Reserve (3 Kms Loop)
Park at the Big Swamp carpark on the southern side of Prince Phillip Drive. Cross the road and start the loop in either direction.
Big Swamp Reserve is a breeding ground for black swans and a home for long-necked turtles. I really loved the crazy, zig-zag boardwalk,
but unfortunately dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk. (They are allowed on the external loop ride.)
Family Friendly Cafe: The Wildside Cafe outside Bunbury Wildlife Park opens each day at 10:00 am.
Facilities: Public toilets are available near the carpark.
Extend your ride: Follow the path along Hayward Street west to the beach to join the Beach Path (see 1 above).
Join them all together!
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a longer ride, you can join them all together using bike paths for a ride of 35 kilometres (return).
We had a lot of fun cycling in Bunbury WA and it’s a great way to see a new city.
Photos of me and Kenji are by Derek, who is notoriously difficult to get in front of a camera
