A close encounter of the digital kind opens at Bunbury’s Dolphin Discovery Centre, Grylls
Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 08-June-2011
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today visited Bunbury’s award-winning Dolphin Discovery Centre to officially open the popular tourist attraction’s new one-of-a-kind theatre.
The 360-degree theatre or ‘digital dolphinarium’ is part of a multi-million dollar expansion of the centre, which has been assisted by funding from the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program and the South West Development Commission.
“The last time I was in Bunbury, I visited the Dolphin Discovery Centre to see how the theatre was coming along, so I am pleased to be back again to see the final product,” Mr Grylls said.
“This is a fantastic addition to the Dolphin Discovery Centre and I encourage people to come along and experience the attraction for themselves.
“Children will especially love to step inside this theatre, which creates the sensation of being underwater, and seeing aspects of dolphins’ lives including birth, defence from sharks and a feeding frenzy.”
The ‘dolphinarium’ is part of a major expansion of the centre which has been designed to create a contemporary year-round experience for visitors.
A new playground and conference room have also helped to enhance the centre, with more improvements planned for the coming years.
The Minister praised the Dolphin Discovery Centre for its vision to boost the appeal of its facilities and create an even more enjoyable experience for visitors.
“This project will help the Dolphin Discovery Centre cement its status as a premier tourist attraction in the region,” Mr Grylls said.
Established in the early 1990s, the centre is a not-for-profit ecotourism facility that gives people the opportunity to learn about and interact with wild bottlenose dolphins.
Grants totalling $1,273,000 from Royalties for Regions and the South West Development Commission have gone towards the revamp of the centre.
An interaction zone, swim tour and boat cruise provide unique opportunities for people to have close encounters with wild dolphins, while research into the impacts of human activities on dolphins is carried out from the centre by Murdoch University in partnership with the Dolphin Discovery Centre and local industry supporters.
About 150 people, including about 50 international visitors, volunteer their time at the centre each year
