martha

Has anyone out there been to either Bunbury or Monkey Mia to see dolphins? My husband and I will be on a 1 year trek around the world and will be visiting Australia around March 2001. We'll be on a budget and I've heard mixed views on Monkey Mia...so we're considering Bunbury instead. We'd appreciate input from people who've visited those places. THANKS, Martha

marg

We've been to see the dolphins at Monkey Mia. I presume you are flying into Perth, in which case Monkey Mia is then about 830 km north. There is a small resort at Monkey Mia (it isn't a town - the closest town is Denham about an hour's drive away). We got to Monkey Mia about 8 am and waited for ages for two dolphins to come in. You are not allowed to touch them but the rangers get some of the children feed them. Personally we didn't think it was worth the travelling. I don't know anything about dolphins at Bunbury but it is certainly easier to get there - about 2 hours south of Perth. <BR>If you are flying into Sydney and hiring a car, and you particularly want to see dolphins, you may want to consider driving to Port Stephens about 200 km north of Sydney. We did a boat trip there and saw dozens of dolphins, plus Port Stephens is a lovely area with several small towns and lots of accommodation, also close to the Hunter Valley wine region. <BR>Hope you enjoy your stay in our country.

Melaine

I live in Perth. <BR>Lot of people go to monkey mia to see the dolphins but like the last post, its a long way from perth. <BR>Bunbury is 4 hours south of perth. Its quite nice, i haven't seen the dolphins there. <BR>In perth itself, they have a nice place called Hillarys Boat harbour where you can see dolphins and pay to swim with them in their pen. Set on a marina, you can make a whole day of it and go visit Underwater World which is there also and you walk through this observatory and see even a shark. Hillarys is trully beautiful - you can't miss it...perth is beautiful, you have made a good choice!!

Paul S

Martha, <BR> <BR>I can personally voucher for what Marg says in her post about Port Stephens and when you consider a Dolphin cruise will set you back about A$10.00 to A$15.00 for a two hour cruise with boom nets to allow you to get down with the dolphins then I reckon it is value for money. The price includes your tea and coffee. <BR> <BR>As for the number of dolphins you will see well that depends on how they are feeling but with over 200 dolphins calling the Port home there is a high probability of seeing quite a few. <BR> <BR>Cheers