Spotlight on Bunbury
Bunbury is one of Australia 's fastest growing cities - and for good reason. More and more people are discovering that the 'City of Three Waters' offers an unrivalled lifestyle and opportunities to work and play. Nestled between Indian Ocean , Koombana Bay and Leschenault Inlet, the city boasts a thriving harbour - Bunbury Port is the largest exporter of alumina in the world. The population of Greater Bunbury, which is about 80,000, enjoys the most temperate climate in the world - not too hot in summer and not too cold in winter. Surrounded by a wealth of minerals, agricultural and horticultural land and the biodiversity of the native bush, Bunbury is the hub of the magnificent South West region which boasts world-class wineries, surf beaches and majestic stands of tall trees.
The State Capital city of Perth is just a two-hour drive north (170 kilometres) and this trip will become shorter once the Freeway South is extended and the new Bunbury Highway opens in 2009. Bunbury City is surrounded by the shires of Capel, Dardanup and Harvey which have all experienced significant growth in the residential areas close to the city. About 8000 small businesses thrive in the area, in retailing, services and as contractors to the many large mining and industrial enterprises, such as the BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina Refinery which is the largest employer in the South West.
The Greater Bunbury Region's solid industrial foundation, based on mining, agriculture, horticulture, engineering and construction, keeps the economy in good stead. Local production of alumina, plantation timber, coal, woodchips, tantalum, spodumene, silicon, mineral sands, titanium dioxide and a host of good clean food and wine gives us a broad commodities base and the number of tourists visiting the region is increasing.
While much of its economic wealth comes from the abundant resources that surround it, Bunbury's inner city has been transformed over the past two decades. Industrial infrastructure has largely been relocated to allow for the expansion of parks and promenades, and the burgeoning Marlston Waterfront precinct where restaurants and retailers flourish. Nearby Marlston Hill is home to some of Bunbury's most exclusive new real estate. An additional mix of permanent and short stay accommodation overlooking Koombana Bay will soon become available with the development of the old wheat silos into the Bunbury Silos Resort (currently under construction).
Bunbury's famous Dolphin Discovery Centre attracts visitors from all over the world to learn about and interact with these charming creatures living in Koombana Bay . The dolphins frequently frolic alongside the many yachts and pleasure boats which use the bay and its marina for sailing, skiing, fishing and crabbing. Street scaping and the enhancement of scenic spots such as Boulters Heights , along with the cosmopolitan cappuccino strip, have changed the face of the CBD . The city boasts all the facilities and amenities of a major regional centre including the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries, Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, the Grand Cinema complex and the South West Sports Centre.
Bunbury has many Gold Plate and award-winning restaurants and cafes as well as a range of quality accommodation, from hotels, apartments and historic inns to bed and breakfasts, hostels and caravan parks. The City of Bunbury is continuing its development of the city with future planning laid out in its City Vision strategy. Land uses surrounding Leschenault Inlet and Koombana Bay are being investigated in the Outer Harbour Redevelopment Plan and Bunbury City Council and the State Government have collectively put $8 million towards the final stage of the Back Beach Redevelopment.
Situated on Geographe Bay , the Back Beach is a popular swimming spot which is home to Bunbury Surf Lifesaving Club and, just offshore, lies the scuttled wreck of the pirate boat Lena which is a popular dive site. Closer to the city centre are the unique basalt rocks at Wyadup or 'Rocky Point', formed millions of years ago by a volcano, which thrust out into the sea to create a spectacular sight as big waves crash and splash over them.
Not only is Bunbury surrounded by water, it is surrounded by wine! The city is close to the world famous Margaret River Wine Region, the significant Geographe Wine Region and the emerging Ferguson Valley and Harvey regions. Residents enjoy many sporting amenities including, Hay Park , Forrest Park and Hands Oval as well as three 18 hole golf courses; The Sanctuary Golf Resort , Bunbury Golf Club and Capel Golf Club are all within minutes of the city. Bunbury Turf Club hosts the 'Carnaval' race week celebrations in March each year.
The area is well catered for in education and health services. There are good public and private schools, the South West Regional College of TAFE and a campus of the Edith Cowan University alongside the South West Health Campus, which incorporates the St John of God Hospital and Bunbury Regional Hospital in the region's main medical facility.
Bunbury's idyllic weather and lifestyle make it very attractive as a sea change destination. The region's solid industrial foundation and broad-based economy makes it an ideal location for commercial activity and assures its future as a vibrant regional centre. As the commercial hub of the South West, Bunbury has burgeoning industrial parks and property is available to suit most ventures in a number of locations in and around the city. Go to our For Lease and For Sale section to see a few of them.
We have included a number of links so that you can explore Bunbury further, or go to our " Links" page for more information. Bunbury is a great place to live and work, as well as a great place to invest. Come and experience what we have to offer.