Bunbury

Bunbury is the port that the southwest exports through. The city sits where the Leschenault Estuary meets the Indian Ocean—a natural harbor that became Western Australia's second-largest regional city. Timber, wool, and minerals have flowed through Bunbury for over a century.

The port's modern significance comes from what lies inland. Alumina from Worsley's refinery at Collie constitutes the largest export. Mineral sands, silicon, and agricultural products follow. The inner harbor handles bulk cargo while the outer harbor manages larger vessels. Port expansion plans aim to increase capacity to meet demand from the southwest's mining and processing industries.

Dolphins draw visitors just as they do in Mandurah. The Koombana Bay population provides reliable sightings; the Dolphin Discovery Centre offers interactive encounters. The city markets itself as a 'City of Three Waters'—ocean, estuary, and inlet—each with distinct recreational uses.

The economy blends port logistics, mining services, retail, and education. Edith Cowan University operates a southwest campus. Healthcare services the surrounding region. Margaret River wine country lies 90 minutes south, making Bunbury a gateway to one of Australia's premier wine and tourism destinations.

By 2026, Bunbury's future depends on whether mining exports sustain growth or whether the city can diversify toward the tourism economy that surrounds it.