Getting Here

Bunbury is 175 km south of Perth on the South Western Highway / Forrest Highway, where the Collie and Preston Rivers meet Koombana Bay. Almost everyone arrives from Perth; there are no scheduled commercial passenger flights into Bunbury, so you fly into Perth Airport and continue by car, train or coach.

By car

The drive from Perth takes about two hours in normal traffic, mostly on a dual carriageway. From the airport, allow a little longer to clear the city. Once you are on the Forrest Highway the run is straightforward. If you are continuing to Margaret River, Bunbury is the logical overnight stop — see the road-trip itinerary.

By train

Transwa runs the Australind between Perth and Bunbury, typically twice a day in each direction, taking about two and a half hours. It is a comfortable alternative if you do not need a car at the other end. Check current timetables and fares with Transwa before you travel — you will still want a car (or a tour) to reach the wineries and most of the beaches.

By coach

Transwa road coaches and South West Coach Lines both run Perth–Bunbury services, with connections on to Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and the towns further south. Confirm timetables with the operators; weekend and school-holiday seats fill earlier.

By air

There are no regular passenger flights into Bunbury. Fly into Perth and drive, or take the train or a coach south. Interstate visitors from the eastern states typically fly Perth and hire a car at the airport.

Parking in Bunbury

Parking is one of the easier things about visiting. There is time-limited street parking through the city centre and along Victoria Street, and larger car parks around the waterfront, the marina and Koombana Bay. Ocean Drive and Back Beach have free parking, though the closest bays fill early on hot summer days and long weekends. Time limits and any charges are signposted — they differ street by street.

Most waterfront accommodation includes parking, which makes it practical to leave the car and walk to dinner.

Getting around once you are here

Bunbury is compact enough to walk between the waterfront, the city centre and the marina. TransBunbury runs local buses around the city and out to Australind and Eaton. To reach the Ferguson Valley wineries, the day-trip towns or the surf beaches, you will want a car. The map is the quickest way to get your bearings.

Distance and times

From	Distance	Typical drive
Perth	175 km	2 hours
Fremantle	150 km	1 hour 30
Busselton	50 km	40 minutes
Margaret River	100 km	1 hour 20
Albany	360 km	4 hours
Kalgoorlie	750 km	about 8 hours

Ready to plan the stay? Compare accommodation or start with things to do.