Bluebird Discovery Centre

One Man, His Dream, Our Lake

A New Year’s Eve to remember: Breaking the world water speed record at 444.71 km/h. Blink and you would miss the moment! On 31 December 1964, on Lake Dumbleyung, in his hydroplane Bluebird K7, Donald Campbell broke the world water speed record. The Bluebird K7 with a 4000lb thrust Beryl engine used 49 litres of kerosene a minute. Campbell is the only person to break the world water speed record and land speed record in the same year. He broke the land speed record at Lake Eyre, South Australia on 17 July 1964. The Bluebird Discovery Centre, located in the old Post Office and current Dumbleyung Community Resource Centre, pays homage to this historical world recording - breaking moment. Also look out for Mr Whoppit the mascot. Make sure you visit the Bluebird K7 replica located just across the road and there is also a self-led exhibition of early settler history, at the old railway building.

Address:

28 Absolon Street
Dumbleyung WA 6350
Australia

Opening Hours
Mon 9:30am - 4:30pm; Tues to Fri 9am - 4:30pm
Journey of a win

This is an album of photographs from Donald Campbell's 1964 record-breaking event. The album includes photographs of the very brief moment he broke the water speed record at 276.33 mph (444.71 km/h).

It takes a team

Breaking a world record requires a whole team of engineers, mechanics, support staff and sponsors. Although originally sponsored by BP, Donald Campbell secured sponsorship from Ampol for the world...

Mascot

Mr Whoppit was Donald Campbell's mascot, who accompanied him during his water and land speed record attempts. Mr Whoppit also had a Bluebird patch stitched onto his little red jacket. The Mister...

More Golden Outback collections

Walk through the lense of the Big Camera, into a world of cameras.

Walk through the lens of the Big Camera to be transfixed by wall-to-wall cameras! This is believed to be the largest working camera display in the Southern hemisphere. It is a place to learn about the...

A local collection housed in the historic old Courthouse or Gold fever, old geezers, heroes and bold pieces.

From a tent town to bricks and mortar, the old Coolgardie Courthouse unpacks the history of the 1890's gold fever and is a treasure trove of items from local collectors. Learn about Coolgardie’s...

Town hall houses an intimate collection

This intimate collection provides an insight into the innovation and flavour of country-life. Learn about local inventors and sports people and town history. Pingelly Museum and Historical Group is...

Aboriginal art from Laverton and the Western Desert region

In this gallery you will find artworks, paintings, digging sticks, carvings, weavings and crafts by artists from the surrounding regions, including the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Well known weavers in the...

While you're in the area

Filter
Lake Dumbleyung
Attraction
Lake Dumbleyung
The picturesque Lake Dumbleyung was made famous in the 1960s when Donald...
Wagin Road, Dumbleyung, WA 6350
Wuddi Cultural Centre
Attraction
Wuddi Cultural Centre
The Wuddi Cultural Centre is located 3 hours south of Perth in the...
66 Absolon Street, Dumbleyung, WA 6350