24/04/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | APR 24, 2026

12

TRAVEL BUG

L ARGE deserts, wild animals and surfer dudes... one might think Western Australia (WA) is a bit of a wild card. But its friendly smiles, chatty people and gorgeous nature will leave you awestruck as WA offers more than just a vacation – it is an experience of a lifetime. Organised by Tourism Western Australia in collaboration with CIT, where travellers can look for package options for bookings, theSun was invited to experience WA’s dreamlike landscapes and scenic roads for five days. From Kuala Lumpur, all it takes is a flight by Malaysia Airlines, which flies 14 times weekly to Perth (Perth International Airport) – and upon arrival, you can book a car ride to take you around WA. Dawn in Perth Our first stop was the Adnate Perth, where we would stay for the night. There, we were at a cross-section of modernity and art as its 27-storey portraiture mural gazes over Hay Street. Following a hearty evening meal at Karla Restaurant, the city vibrantly greeted us with light installations, reflecting its artistic groove. As the Edwardian Baroque style buildings stand tall against brick facades and structural beams, the city invites us to pace our breath, while taking in all that life has to offer, one sip of beer at a time. En route to Bunbury Day two was spent at The Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury, where the azure sky and the salty, fresh smell of the sea greeted us. A guided tour by the Marine Discovery Centre gave us insight into the operation behind the care of the marine creatures. With over 14 aquariums, a tubular-360° aquarium stands tall at the entrance – and within it is a colourful display of marine life that one would normally find in the ocean. The Turtle and Octopus stations, which feature interactive learning sessions with caretakers, are great for families with kids. There are also feeding sessions that take place twice a day, which makes the trip an educational one. The free tour then culminated at the 360° cinema, featuring the birth of dolphins up to their adulthood, teasing what is to come next at the Dolphin Eco-Cruises. Before that, the staff debriefed the do’s and don’ts on the cruise, as Australia has strict rules that are meant to preserve nature. Ű BY VERONICA ELANKOVAN The 27-storey mural on The Adnate, by Matt Adnate is a homage to the people of Western Australia.

Chocolate tasting at Little Otto’s. – ALL PICS BY VERONICA ELANKOVAN/THESUN

The signpost at the end of Busselton Jetty is an Instagram opportunity.

The scenic view at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, Bunbury.

The dual-coloured Indian Ocean, where the darker part is deep waters.

Western Australia uncovered

o Journey through Perth, Bunbury, Busselton

The mother dolphin and calf at Bunbury.

A vibrant dolphin sculpture greets visitors at the entrance of the centre. During the tour, a guide narrated the life cycle of a dolphin, giving us insights into how the mammals are cared for – all while we waited on for some dolphins to show up. A half-hour wait and an eternity of anticipation later, a mum and calf decided to say hi to the group, from a safe distance. Incredibly cheeky and intelligent animals, the mum and calf made us do a little jog from left to right as we eagerly tried taking pictures of them. The centre also offers other activities, such as the Swim with the Dolphins Tour and Interaction Zone, where one can get up close and personal with these mammals. When in Busselton… The adventure continued at the heritage-listed Busselton Jetty tour. A train over the Indian Ocean to the 360° Underwater Observatory can be taken to the jetty, where there is a guided tour around the premise for a fulfilling experience. As the guide recounted the history of the 1.84km timber-piled jetty, the makeup of Australia’s colourful artificial reef and the ecosystem built around it was rather marvellous to gaze upon. The tour was as educational as it was enlightening, making it ideal to teach children – and even adults – of the importance of every creature in the biosphere. Before boarding the train back to

A multilingual (13 languages) tour is available for free at the Marine Discovery Centre in Bunbury.

His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth.

the deck, taking a picture of the signpost at the end of the jetty is a chance to commemorate the visit. To really savour the beauty of Busselton and its ocean, walking back to the deck is a great option – and, if you visit between May and December, whales pass by the jetty on their annual migration, making the stroll exciting. Next up was a sweet detour to Little Otto’s Big Choc Shop for some chocolates and gelatos. A humble “chocolate factory”, Little Otto’s was named after the 24m blue whale that washed up near Busselton. We were given a little tour of the shop, following a chocolate tasting. Just like its “mostly true story” of origin, every bite of the chocolate healed the inner child in us, leaving us with sweet hope. The colourful, whimsical haven is for the kids and the fun-loving adult. Feeling gratified after an

The Busselton Jetty Souvenirs, Gifts, Museum.

Little fishes and corals seen from the observatory at Busselton Jetty. invigorating day, dinner was an elevated experience at Shelter Brewing, which overlooks the beach. It is a local brewery that offers a unique selection of beers and seasonal menus. After an exhilarating two days, the travelling group decided to hit the hay and the adventure Down Under took a pause.

Discover the beauty of Western Australia with an exclusive 10% savings on all packages when you book with Corporate Information Travel Sdn Bhd (CIT). Contact CIT today to plan your Western Australia getaway by visiting CIT’s website, emailing askme@cit.travel, or calling +603 9212 0011. Terms apply.