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...

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Remember the days of the old school yard

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A family collection which turned in to a museum

This quirky museum includes several very realistic mannequins, including the friendly bartender from the old Edna May Hotel Bar! The collection was acquired as a donation from the Hood-Penn family...

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Old Butler's Garage is a hub for the community.

The Kulin Museum and Men’s Shed is housed in the original Butler’s Garage which was opened in 1938. The collection includes cars, trucks, machinery, tractors, implements and a settler's cottage...

City of Kalgoorlie - Boulder Art Collection

City's art collection

In 1955 Claude Hotchin gave a collection of 32 art works to the Municipality of Kalgoorlie. The Claude Hotchin Bequest includes important works by Ernest Philpot, Hans Heysen and Walter Ebatarinja, an...