Regional parks consist of lands that have been identified as regional open space under regional planning schemes (such as the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme). They are managed by a range of agencies, including the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), local government and private landholders. DBCA’s Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for coordinating the management of the regional parks for all local and State Government management agencies.

A regional park is not a specific land tenure. It allows a consortium of land managers to develop coordinated management approaches over an area identified as having regionally significant values. 

Management of private property that is reserved as regional open space and within the regional parks remains unchanged, until such time as it is acquired by the Western Australian Planning Commission. Further information on reservation of private property under region schemes is available from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.

The regional parks had been proposed within the Greater Bunbury region for many years. Establishment plans prepared by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage identified proposed boundaries, values, and issues to be addressed in a management plan for the parks. Creation of the regional park was an election commitment of the State Government. It is a key part of Plan For Our Parks, which aims to create five million hectares of new national and marine parks and reserves across Western Australia.

The Kalgulup Regional Park is managed by several stakeholders, including local government and State Government agencies who initiated preparation of the Kalgulup Regional Park management plan. Public consultation was achieved through a consultative process with the City of Bunbury, Kalgulup Regional Park Community Advisory Committee, Gnaala Karla Booja representatives and the City of Bunbury Co-Design Access Panel.

In addition to the consultation for the establishment and planning processes, DBCA worked with the Gnaala Karla Booja Native Title representatives on the naming of the parks. The amalgamated parks have been named Kalgulup Regional Park, meaning ‘place of fire’ or ‘place of burning campfires’ to reflect the area’s significance to Noongar people.

Maidens Reserve in Kalgulup Regional Park offers panoramic views over the Indian ocean and Bunbury townsite from lookouts located on high sand dunes. This popular park is enjoyed by the local community and visitors for a range of recreational and relaxation activities. To ensure visitors can continue to experience and enjoy the reserve, the State Government committed funding for infrastructure improvements and Maidens Reserve now boasts two new lookouts, accessible sealed pathways and improved beach access.  The lookouts and pathways were completed in February 2024 and some further finishing work happening in the first half of 2024 ahead of the official opening in July.  

The former informal lookouts in Maidens Reserve were eroded and existing infrastructure, including steps, seating and remaining trigonometrical station, badly deteriorated. New visitor infrastructure complements the trigonometrical station, providing a major focal point in the regional park. These works have improved park accessibility, created safer access and have maintained and enhanced the biodiversity, recreational, social and cultural values for Bunbury residents and visitors. 

The project included:

• a new accessible pathway to a lower lookout 
• new steps and viewing area, including seating and interpretation at the upper “Maidens” lookout
• new trailhead and improved interpretation signage of natural and cultural values throughout the park
• bike racks
• rehabilitation works to disturbed and eroded areas, including planting.

Work to upgrade stair access from the upper Maidens lookout to the beach is underway.

How long did construction take?

Construction of the new lookouts and accessible pathway commenced in mid-April 2023 and key works were finalised on 20 February 2024, a couple of months ahead of target.  After 10 months of anticipation, the public can now use an assisted wheelchair on the 670m sealed path that leads to the lower lookout with views of Bunbury.
Alternatively, fitness enthusiasts can take the more direct route by climbing 152 steps to the lower lookout, and a further 153 steps will lead to the 65m above sea level upper lookout, providing a 360-degree panoramic view.

Final touches including interpretive signage, minor work along the pathway, and planting was completed in May and bike racks were installed in June 2024.

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New bike racks installed at Maidens reserve

Was the public consulted on this project?

Yes, the regional park is managed by several stakeholders, including local government and State Government agencies who initiated preparation of the Kalgulup Regional Park management plan. Public consultation was achieved through a consultative process with the City of Bunbury, Kalgulup Regional Park Community Advisory Committee, Gnaala Karla Booja representatives and the City of Bunbury Co-Design Access Panel.

Mangrove Cove is located along the Leschenault Inlet in Bunbury and is home to the most southern occurrence of white mangroves in the state that used to grow some 20,000 years ago. It is a tourist attraction and regularly frequented by residents. There is a playground, viewing tower and day-use facilities.  

The 190-metre-long old boardwalk had provided visitor access for over 20 years through the white mangroves located in the Leschenault Inlet, opposite the Dolphin Discovery Centre. It had reached the end of its life and required replacement as the jarrah timber piles and decking had deteriorated beyond repair. They are being replaced with a new boardwalk on the existing footprint to avoid impact on mangroves and surrounding tidal grasses. This new boardwalk will provide improved access for a wider range of visitors, including those in wheelchairs and prams, and bring a new enhanced experience of the mangroves.

The upgraded path along the inlet has been completed and it reopened to the public on 5 August 2024. The path’s previous bitumen surface had limited capacity for increased use and had become rough. It has been replaced with a similar but slightly wider path on predominantly the same footprint as the previous path. The new, dual use path provides improved and safer access to meet increased demand.

New interpretive signage is about to be installed, providing insight into some historical facts, Noongar cultural values and the wonders of white mangroves and the flora and fauna it supports. An ebook is also being prepared. 

These upgrade works at Mangrove Cove are improving park accessibility, creating safer access and maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity, recreational, social and cultural values for Bunbury residents and visitors.

How long will construction take?

The Mangrove Cove boardwalk construction works commenced in December 2023 and it will remain closed until completion, expected in early 2025.

Can I still use the Mangrove Cove playground and tower during planned works?

Yes, the playgrounds and tower will remain open to the public throughout the construction period. Access will stay open from the main car parks located along Koombana Drive.

Signage will be in place to inform the public about the closure and diversion. There will be a fenced construction laydown area on the eastern side of the Mangrove Tower with some truck movements. DBCA and the contractor will endeavour to keep public access disturbance to a minimum.

Regional Parks Coordinator 
Parks and Wildlife Service 
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions 
Corner Dodson Road and South Western Highway 
PO Box 1693 
BUNBURY WA 6231 
Phone: 9725 4300 
Email: Bunbury@dbca.wa.gov.au