Grab a hearty breakfast and coffee locally before you leave (choose your favourite Stratton café) so you start the drive fuelled; many cafés open from 7:00–8:00am. Confirm opening time for your chosen venue.
Leave Stratton and drive south‑west toward Bunbury; expect ~2–2.5 hours depending on traffic. This gets you into Bunbury before lunchtime with time to check in and explore.
Enjoy fresh local seafood or a casual lunch at a Bunbury foreshore café; great for views and local produce. Many cafés are open midday — confirm exact hours on the day.
Visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre to learn about local bottlenose dolphins and coastal ecology; shore viewing is free and interpretive displays are open in daytime (typically 9:00am–4:00pm). Good for families and wildlife lovers.
Choose a popular local pub or seafood restaurant on the foreshore or central Bunbury for dinner — good place to sample local fish, mains and regional wine. Many places serve dinner from 5:00pm; book ahead for weekends.
Play a relaxed morning round at a local Par‑3 course (great for families and quick golf — typically opens early). It’s a fun, social activity before afternoon adventures. Check the Bunbury Golf Club or local municipal par‑3 course for tee availability.
Book a guided kayak or SUP session in Koombana Bay to see the coastline from the water; calm bay conditions make this ideal for novice paddlers. Operators usually run mid‑morning to mid‑afternoon sessions — reserve in advance.
Visit the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries (typically open 10:00am–4:00pm) to view rotating exhibitions of local and regional artists — a calm, cultural afternoon activity.
Pick from local favourites depending on mood — casual bistro or more refined dining in town. Reserve if you have a particular restaurant in mind for the evening.
Walk the historic 1.8km Busselton Jetty then visit the Underwater Observatory to see marine life beneath the jetty; the jetty is open for walkers all day and the Observatory normally runs public access around 9:30am–5:00pm (check current hours and book timed entries).
Explore local galleries and the Busselton Cultural Precinct — small galleries typically open afternoons and showcase regional artists and rotating exhibitions. Free entry to many spaces; confirm opening times.
If the local astronomical society or Busselton observatory has a public night booked, join a stargazing session — these events run in the evening and are often ticketed, so check availability and times in advance.
Quick breakfast, pack and check out to leave Busselton by about 8:00am for Harvey — aim for an early start to enjoy the gardens before peak heat or crowds.
Stroll the Harvey rose garden or public gardens (popular in spring/summer) for a peaceful morning among cultivated roses and landscaped beds; typically open during daylight hours — check local signage for exact times.
Drive a short distance to Harvey Dam (or the nearest local dam/reservoir picnic area) for scenic views, a short walk and birdwatching; ideal for photos and light exploration.
Begin the drive back to Stratton with a planned arrival no later than 6:00pm; the drive will be ~2–3 hours depending on traffic, so allow buffer time for stops.