The Best Hotels to Book in Bunbury, Western Australia

The daily Bunbury Farmers Market, famous for its local organic produce, is near this family-friendly park, which offers cabins (some with an ensuite bathroom) and a large campsite. Head to the market for some locally grown organic smashed avocado on freshly baked sourdough bread. Your kids will love the large lagoon pool and enclosed playground back at the caravan park, but be sure to make time to head to Bunbury Wildlife Park to mingle with kangaroos and pat a wombat. Back at the ranch at the end of the day, choose from multiple barbecue areas for an al fresco dinner.

The Rose is brilliantly located right in the heart of Bunbury. Check in to one of the modern motel-style rooms (there are twin and queen rooms, both with an ensuite and air conditioning), then head downstairs to the dining room, with a glorious timber floor, stained-glass windows and a stunning chandelier. There’s a huge range of vegetarian and gluten-free options on offer, as well as classic pub fare. The wine list is worth lingering over, as it features some of the best vino in the region. Cheers!

Travellers from all around the world love this centrally located hostel, where you’ll get a friendly welcome and a free daily breakfast. There are dorm, twin and family rooms available. Linen is provided, as are complimentary lockers (but bring your own padlock). Your meals are sorted, thanks to the much-appreciated shared kitchen and barbecue area. Learn about local indigenous culture by joining a local Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tour and visiting the spectacular Wardandi Boodja, a huge steel sculpture on the waterfront representing a proud Noongar man’s face. This is Bunbury at its most fascinating.

Fill up on a free daily breakfast featuring the Aussie staple Vegemite savoury spread – it’s great on toast – then head out for the experience of a lifetime, as this friendly hostel is your base for a trip to Koombana Bay to swim with bottlenose dolphins. Tours run daily (from November to April); or you can board an educational dolphin spotting cruise with no swimming involved. The hostel has single, double, triple and family rooms, with free linen and a great shared kitchen. If you’re driving, you’re laughing, as there’s on-site car parking; if not, there’s a free shuttle bus to the train station.

The black-and-white-checked Bunbury lighthouse soars skyward next to this affordable modern hotel, with sweeping views from all the single and double rooms. Make the most of the indulgent indoor pool, spa and sauna, then towel off before heading to the on-site Basalt Restaurant and Bar to partake of a cocktail or two while enjoying the view over the ocean and city lights. After dinner, explore further, perhaps with a walk to Marlston Hill Lookout, the site of Bunbury’s first lighthouse, where you’ll get 360-degree views of the city.

The relaxing Mercure Bunbury Sanctuary Golf Resort is just outside central Bunbury. Amid vast hectares of rolling fairways, gardens and lakes, self-contained apartments are arranged around a resort pool and heated spa. For more active sportspeople, there’s also a tennis court. Perhaps a long lunch by the 19th hole at the on-site Vittoria’s Restaurant is more your thing? We have to say we’re game.

Families love these impressive modern apartments, built around a central resort-style swimming pool, with an outdoor barbecue and full-size tennis court. Staying here places you opposite Koombana Beach, and it’s just a short stroll to the Dolphin Discovery Centre, the launching point for an adventure swim with bottlenose beauties in Koombana Bay. An easy 10 minutes on foot from the central Bunbury restaurants, these 50-plus serviced apartments include studios with motel-style kitchenettes and apartments with full kitchens and separate living areas, perfect for longer stays.

Pet-friendly holiday accommodation can be hard to find, but at the Bunbury Village Caravan Park, both you and your furry pal will receive a warm welcome. There’s a huge range of ways to stay here, including motel-style rooms, cabins and sites for vans and campers. Fido is welcome to join you in the deluxe two-bedroom cabin. Take your dog for a walk and discover the local arts and cultural scene. The Bunbury Regional Art Gallery (BRAG) has amazing exhibitions from local and indigenous artists, all housed in a wonderful bright-pink historic convent. That’ll get your tail wagging.