Following the closure of the Penguin Island Discovery Centre in 2023, Tourism WA has been supporting the development of a contemporary Discovery Centre for the mainland, with the project now moving to the Business Case stage and seeking feedback.
The Shoalwater Islands Marine Park is well known for being home to the largest colony of little penguins on the west coast of Australia and is an ecologically significant tourist destination.
A feasibility study has recommended a mainland-based penguin centre be built and nominated Mersey Point in Rockingham as the preferred location.
The proposed centre at Mersey Point could serve as the central hub for visitor information, conservation and education, immersive tour experiences, amenities and an opportunity to re-establish a live wildlife experience.
It would aim to be a sustainable, accessible, community-based centre that will support tourism activity throughout Rockingham.
There is opportunity for the discovery centre to also act as a hub for a broader range of coastal and marine experiences which would strengthen Rockingham as a coastal destination.
To progress this project, a Business Case and Concept Design are now being progressed and as part of this process stakeholder and community input is sought.
This is a valuable opportunity to provide your insights to support design concepts for the centre at Mersey Point.
We invite feedback via our community consultation session or online survey.