Western Australia · Attraction
Discovery Bay
The world's last whaling station
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Discovery Bay on Frenchman Bay Road is the only complete historic whaling station open to the public anywhere in the world. Once the last land-based whale processing facility in Australia, the site has been transformed into a multi-award-winning precinct where visitors can board the massive whale chaser Cheynes IV, walk through the original processing plant, and encounter native wildlife in the adjoining Australian Wildlife Park.
The centrepiece of the site is the Cheynes IV, a decommissioned whale chaser that visitors can climb aboard and explore from bow to stern. The original blubber digesters, storage tanks, and processing equipment remain largely intact, providing an unflinching look at the industrial scale of the whaling era that ended in Australia in 1978.
The Australian Wildlife Park and Regional Wildflower Garden share the site, offering close encounters with kangaroos, emus, and native plants of the Great Southern region. The Whalers Galley Cafe serves meals on site, making it easy to spend the better part of a day at Discovery Bay.
Where to stay
Holiday parks near Discovery Bay.
2 options via our booking partner
Panorama Caravan Park
7.4km away
Rose Gardens Beachside Holiday Park
9.8km away
Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Discovery Bay.
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