BEAUTIFUL BUNBURY

article in the western mail christmas special

25 December 1909

The following is the 1909 Western Mail Christmas Special article that featured Bunbury as an ideal tourist destination.

The photographs used in connection with the Bunbury illustrations were from specially selected views taken by Mr. Wm. J. Ford, Bunbury.

”It is with a sense of something approaching humility that one attempts to pen even a crude description of Bunbury and its many beauties, for Nature has lavished its blessings upon this chosen spot with a generous hand. It is only while lazily reclining at length on the summit of one of the many green hills which half surround the town, drinking in the balmy ozone laden atmosphere, and enjoying the beautiful panorama spread out before us, that we grow conscious of the fact that there is not in all Western Australia a spot richer, or more lavishly endowed by nature, in the beauty, grandeur, and splendour of its surroundings.

To the visitor, Bunbury offers many advantages not enjoyed elsewhere. Built, as it is, on a peninsula, the waters of the Indian Ocean wash its shores on each side of the town. On the "back" beach one enjoys the best opportunity of viewing the mighty, ever restless ocean in its many changing moods. In its calmer moments "the long wash on the Australasian shore" is distinctly discernable, and when angry the sight of the giant waves dashing themselves in impotent rage against the rocks, casting the foaming spray far on to the shore, is a sight, once seen, never to be forgotten. Along this beach one may take long rides or walks with never-ending pleasure, or if more indolently inclined, in the afternoon, stretched at ease upon the creamy sands, the gentle zephyrs fanning one's cheek, one in delightful reverie-between the whiffs of smoke drifting leeward-may watch the ocean's gentle swell, laving the sands upon its shore, or gaze in happy dreamy contentment far across the ocean's breast, as the departing sun diffuses its crimson splendour across the sky, turning the sea blue to gold. Seen from an eminence, the estuarv presents an extensive and lovely view, from the harbour, dotted with ships, to the dim outline of the Darling Range in the hazy distance. The long protecting arm of the breakwater marks a black rampart of stone, which serves to protect the calm waters of the bay from the occasionally angry Indian Ocean. The estuary is like glistening ribbons wound round foliaged shores, and as the waters attain to the higher reaches beyond the compass of the town, they have cut out islands and sand banks, and caves and bays, where wild fowl are to be found, and where salmon trout sport, and bream chase the young mullet. Three or four miles up the estuary, the ocean waters are met by the fresh waters of the Preston and Collie Rivers. For those who love not the rough and tumble of the ocean and the bay, or the calm placidity of the estuary waters, there are scores of charming picnic spots within easy driving and cycling distance of the town, to say nothing of the innumerable quiet walks over verdure clad hills and dales, and the rustic glades, and sylvan solitudes," For talking age, and Whispering lovers made."

Sun Bathing

The latitude of Bunbury imparts a delightful temperature to the ocean in summer time, which, to goldfields visitors, is especially agreeable. Surf bathing on the back beach may be indulged in by adults, but at times the big rollers must not be trifled with. Should the bather at an unguarded moment be embraced in one it will take him some time to get rid of the fine sand that has been churned up with the curve of the wave. It is an exhilarating experience to watch a huge billow moving shorewards, and at the psychological moment plunge into its curling crest to emerge on the heaving water beyond.

Those who enjoy the sea in quieter mood should seek the baths, situated at the foot of the jetty. Here, sheltered by the breakwater, in the shark-proof baths one may splash and paddle to the heart's content. It is a pleasant sight to see dozens of goldfields children, fresh from the hot, dusty interior, engaged in all manners of antics in their extravagant joy of, to them, an unwonted luxury. For swimmers there are baths of sufficient depth to satisfy the most fastidious, and these are also shark-proof. Hot salt baths may also be taken at almost any time desired.

Favourite Drives.

Visitors have the choice of many pleasant drives. That along the Leschenault Estuary to the Collie River, a distance of six miles, brings one to a popular picnic ground on the banks of the latter stream. Here fishing is usually good, and at times really excellent. A few miles further along the estuary shore brings the traveller to historic Australind. A drive to Dardanup, via Picton, takes the visitor into the heart of a farming settlement, a distance of nine miles. Pursue the journey a few miles further and the district of the Ferguson is reached. The hills and dales of Ferguson are rich in pastures and orchards, while the surrounding scenery is very pretty. Boyanup and Donnybrook are within reasonable driving distance of Bunbury, and the latter thriving little town, nestling at the foot of the grass and orchard-covered hills, will well repay the excursion. Capitally-equipped livery stables are established in Bunbury.

Hunting.

"With dog and gun" excellent sport is available in the adjacent bush. Kangoroo and brush are plentiful, but it is well for strangers to engage an experienced guide if the best hunting is desired. It is no unusual happening for a small party to return with a bag of 30 to 40 kangaroo and brush after a couple of days' outing.

Aquatics.

Few places are better favoured for every description of aquatic pursuits than is Bunbury, whether for boating, bathing, fishing, or motoring, and the bay and estuary are well equipped with pleasure craft of every description. The Bunbury Yacht Club is a very active institution, the fleet comprising about 15 boats. Races are held at almost weekly intervals, the favourite course being round Koombana Bay though should the prevailing wind be over strong a smooth-water course is available on the land-sheltered estuary. But the summer breezes are invariably so well-tempered that in nine cases out of ten the open bay is the venue of these interesting contests. The boat sheds are exceedingly well equipped with sailing craft and rowing boats, while a number of commodious and comfortable motor launches are available at all times.

Fishing.

Fishing may be indulged in on any portion of the bay and estuary, with every assurance of a decent catch, especially along tile lower reaches of the Collie River, where in summer time good catches of king fish are the rule. The visitor who cares for the excitment of deep-sea fishing can make ready arrangements with any of the fishing fleet for a trip on the deep. Sensational hauls of schnapper and jewfish are frequency recorded. This season's fishing promises exceedingly well, large hauls of whiting have already been made. Bream are also numerous, and the improvement in catches may be presumably attributed to the prohibition of netting in the estuary some few years back.

Bowling.

The popular pastime of bowls is exceptionally well catered for at Bunbury. Besides the four-rink municipal green, the members of the South-Western Club have a pretty three-rink enclosure. It is the town green, however, that will mostly be available to visitors, for here a hearty welcome is extended to all of the fraternity. A considerable sum has been expended during "recess" on improvements and adornments to the green, which gives promise of being one of the best in the State. It is situated in the heart of the town, and adjoins the municipal chambers.

Lawn Tennis.

In addition to the Tennis Club's asphalt court on the public recreation reserve, there are a number of private courts in the town, and lovers of the game will experience little difficulty in indulging their bent to the utmost.

Cricket.

There are three Cricket Clubs in the town proper, and many others in the surrounding district. A turf wicket has just been laid down on the Bunbury Oval at very considerable expense, while concrete pitches are also laid down at the Oval, and at Forrest Park, a mile or so distant from the centre of the town.

Amusements.

In addition to the above there are on advertised occasions moonlight excursions on the bay, brass band selections by the Bunbury City Band at the rotunda on the beach, cinematograph shows, etc., etc. With improved fishing this season Bunbury should attract many of its former patrons and a host of new visitors during the present season.

Bunbury, which is the capital city of the South-West district of this State, is situated on the shore of Koombana Bay at the entrance to the Leschenault Estuary, and is connected with Perth by about 115 miles of railway, over which run two and sometimes three and four passenger trains per day. It is one of the oldest towns in Western Australia and in its early years was known chiefly as a whaling station, and for a long time carried on a brisk trade with the "whalers" who called in at the port to replenish their stores. With the advent of the railway which connected it with Perth, and the opening up of the immense karri and jarrah forests in the district, Bunbury soon became, and is likely to remain, the metropolis of the South-West, and now carries an export trade. which, as far as actual tomage is concerned almost rivals Fremantle.

Dairying, as an industry, is making definite progress, and the promoters of the Bunbury Butter Factory are to be congratulated on their enterprise in establishing such in the face of great difficulties, the chief of which was the pessimism of many. lt is a fact that Bunbury butter is bringing the top price of any butter sold at Messrs. Foy and Gibson's, Perth, and the supply is totally inadequate to the demand. With the increasing settlement and clearing of land in the Bunbury district dairying bids fair to become a very important industry indeed.

The timber industry was never in a healthier condition, and the price paid sleeper-hewers is better now than it has been for many years. With the export of grain from the Narrogin. Wagin, and sunounding districts in the near future. Bunbury is likely to make a decided forward step in commercial importance, and reap the benefits which its hinterlands warrant.

Fruit-growing along the Donnybrook line is now an appreciable quantity, but as yet a fractionable part of what those districts are capable of. Bridgetown especially has been heavily planted during the last few years, and with the linking up of the Preston-Kojonup, Wagin-Darkan lines of railway the products of these districts will swell materially the commerce of the port.

Within an afternoon's drive of the town one may inspect some of the most prosperous and expertly cultivated orchards in the State. There can be little doubt but that in the near future this valuable product will form the staple of a large export trade.

The population of the town is estimated at about 3,500 souls, but as the birthrate is high and the death rate very low these numbers are being rapidly augmented.

Within the boundaries of the municipality are something like 17 miles of streets, mostly in excellent condition. At the completion of the deep drainage scheme (costing many thousands of pounds), which is now in an advanced stage of progress, Bunbury will not only be able to claim a healthy climate and beautiful scenery, but also a municipality governed by the most modern methods of hygiene. In the commodious municipal buildings several rooms are set aside for a municipal library and free reading-room- a feature much appreciated by visitors. The reading-room contains nearly all periodicals of general interest, and the library is one of the finest outside of Perth. The town enjoys the benefits of an excellent supply of electric light (shortly to be municipalised), the streets are well lighted by a liberal supply of 1,500 candle-power arc lamps. The telephone service is in full operation, most of the business houses being connected with the Exchange, and efforts are row being made to secure direct telephonic communication with the metropolis.

The climate of Bunbury is of a most delightful and equable character, and can probably not be surpassed in any part of Australia. There are no extremes of heat or cold, and in the summer no pleasanter place could well be imagined in which to spend a holiday; the thermometer rarely rises above 80 degrees, and rarely falls below 65 degrees.”