Dunsborough, Western Australia

Dunsborough
Western Australia
Dunsborough
Population: 3,371 (2006 Census)[1]
Established: 1879
Postcode: 6281
Elevation: 10 m (33 ft)
Location:
LGA: Shire of Busselton
State District: Vasse
Federal Division: Forrest

Dunsborough is a coastal town in the South West of Western Australia, 254 kilometres (158 mi) south of Perth on the shores of Geographe Bay.

Dunsborough is a popular tourist destination for Western Australians; in 1999 it was voted the state's best tourist destination. During the last decade the town has grown quickly and become quite affluent; consequently cafes have popped up everywhere. The town is a common destination for annual school leavers in WA, the other frequent choice being Rottnest Island.

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History

The town is named after the nearby Dunn Bay, which was named after Captain Richard Dalling Dunn under whom Governor James Stirling had served in the Hibernia and the Armide in 1810-11. Land for a townsite was set aside here in the late 1830s, and there is a recorded whale fishery at "Dunsbro" in 1850. When Dunsborough first appeared on a map in 1839 it was spelt "Dunnsbro" but the extra "n" seems to have disappeared by 1850, and the spelling of "bro" was amended to "borough" when the name was gazetted in 1879.[2]

Present day

Dunsborough is the older settlement near to Cape Naturaliste while the closer settlement Bunkers Bay is much more recent - having evolved from a group of holiday shacks to the local Millionaires Row community.

Transport

Dunsborough is serviced by Busseltons public bus service route 903 run by South West Coach Lines. South west coach lines and Transwa coach services also run service to Dunsbrough for connections to other south west towns and Perth.

Annual events

See also

References

Further reading