Bluebird Discovery Centre

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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.

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Address:

28 Absolon Street
Dumbleyung WA 6350
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9863 4829

Email:

admin@dumbleyungcrc.com

Opening Hours

Mon 9:30am - 4:30pm; Tues to Fri 9am - 4:30pm

Ampol Overalls

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...

Women's Weekly Magazine

Married to Danger

Tonia Bern was a cabaret singer who graced the stages of Paris, London and New York when she married Donald Campbell in December 1958. Tonia describes Donald in this way, “He grew up in a boy’s dream...

Mr Whoppit

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...

Grain Discovery Centre

From planting to plate: discover how grain helped communities grow.

The Grain Discovery Centre is located inside the Narembeen Roadhouse and gives a history of farming and grain growing in the district. There is a fascinating shop display, which shows some of the...

The Big Camera - Museum of Photography

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...

Bruce Rock Museum and Machinery Museum

From a cabinet of curiosity to a museum.

The old bank has been given a new lease on life, with the Bruce Rock Museum located within its walls. Some of the rooms have been refurbished with items from the early to mid 1900s to tell the history...

Warden Finnerty’s Residence

A collection in a national trust stone building

The simple grandeur of this stone house sitting atop Montana Hill, overlooking Coolgardie, is impressive. The view from the veranda is amazing, but don't forget the collection inside. The house was...