The best seat on the beach is waiting. A rare beachfront hospitality opportunity on Bunbury’s iconic Back Beach.
The City of Bunbury is seeking a visionary operator to lease and activate a stunning 1,000m² hospitality venue with panoramic Indian Ocean views, right on the sand at one of Western Australia’s most beautiful coastal locations.
The Opportunity
The City of Bunbury is inviting Registrations of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced hospitality operators to lease the beachfront venue at Lot 757 Ocean Drive, Back Beach, Bunbury.
This is more than a lease, it’s an invitation to create a landmark coastal destination that serves the community, attracts visitors, and brings new energy to one of regional WA’s most promising precincts.
What's included
| Total venue area | Approximately 1,000m2 |
| Commercial kitchen | The kitchen offers a blank canvas, allowing the incoming lessee to create a fit-out tailored to their business needs and vision. |
| Indoor dining | Spacious interior with ocean views |
| Alfresco deck | Outdoor dining with panoramic Indian Ocean frontage |
| Function room | Dedicated space for private events and gatherings |
| Parking | Ample on-site parking directly out front |
| Lease term | 5 years, with further options subject to negotiation |
| Annual rent | $100,000 + GST + outgoings |
| Rent reviews | Annual CPI adjustments; market review every 3 years |
| Structural maintenance | City responsibility |
| Fit-out & operational maintenance | Lessee responsibility |
The City is open to innovative concepts and welcomes proposals that activate the venue across extended trading hours – from early morning coffee to evening dining – and contribute to the broader activation of the Back Beach precinct.
The Location
Lot 757 Ocean Drive sits on one of the most enviable positions on the Western Australian coastline.
- Directly on the sand at Bunbury’s Back Beach
- Uninterrupted, panoramic Indian Ocean views
- West-facing sunset aspect over the water
- Adjacent to Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club
- Walking distance to Bunbury City Centre
- Ample free parking at the door
- One of Bunbury’s most popular family beaches
- Surrounded by established residential areas
Back Beach is one of Bunbury’s most-visited natural assets, drawing locals and tourists year-round for swimming, surfing, walking, and coastal recreation. The adjacent Surf Life Saving Club provides consistent foot traffic and community activity throughout the year.
The venue is positioned on Ocean Drive – Bunbury’s premier coastal corridor – with direct road access, high visibility, and a natural catchment that extends across the city and broader South West region.
The Vision
The City of Bunbury is looking for an operator who sees what we see. A venue alive with energy from morning to night. The smell of coffee at dawn. Families on the deck at lunchtime. Friends gathering as the sun sets over the ocean. Community events that spill onto the sand.
A place that people talk about, come back to, and feel belongs to them.
We welcome proposals that include:
- Early morning trade – serving the walkers, swimmers and surfers who use the beach at dawn
- Breakfast and brunch – a destination for locals and visitors alike
- Lunch and afternoon service – catering to beachgoers, families and the midday coastal crowd
- Evening dining – making the most of the sunset views and creating a reason to visit after dark
- Events and activation – live music, community gatherings, beachside markets, cultural events
- Complementary services – equipment hire, beach-related retail, or other creative activations
- Event collaboration – working with the City and event organisers to support and service major events at Back Beach
Aligned with our Council Plan
The City's vision is to be Western Australia's Most Connected Coastal City. Renewal of the Back Beach hospitality venue supports this vision by maintaining a popular beachfront destination that enhances community connection, activates the waterfront and contributes to the local economy.
Our City Centre – Activation by supporting the continued activation and vibrancy of the waterfront precinct and encouraging visitation to Bunbury's coastline.
Our Economy – Business-Friendly City and Investment & Employment by providing certainty for an established local business, supporting ongoing investment and employment opportunities, and contributing to Bunbury's visitor economy and reputation as a regional destination.
The Precinct: A Coastline Coming to Life
Ocean Drive is on the cusp of significant transformation, and this venue is at the heart of it.
Bunbury’s Back Beach coastline has long been recognised as one of the city’s greatest assets. Significant development is planned for large parcels of land along and adjacent to Ocean Drive, bringing new residents, new visitors, and new energy to this stretch of coast.
What’s coming:
- Major land parcels along Ocean Drive earmarked for development
- Anticipated growth in local population and visitor numbers
- City investment in coastal amenity, public spaces, and infrastructure
- Broader activation of the Back Beach foreshore and surrounds
The operator who establishes themselves here now will be first mover in a precinct that is about to change dramatically.
This isn’t a venue in isolation. It’s the anchor of an emerging coastal destination, and the City is committed to the long-term vision for this area.
A City Invested in Your Success
The City of Bunbury isn’t looking for a tenant to simply occupy a building. We’re looking for a partner to help activate a community asset.
| What the City provides | What we’re looking for |
| Structural maintenance of the building | An operator who maintains and cares for the venue day-to-day |
| Collaboration on major events at Back Beach | An operator who embraces events and community activation |
| Ongoing investment in the precinct’s amenity and infrastructure | An operator who sees the long-term and potential and is committed to growing with the area |
| A flexible brief that welcomes creative concepts | An operator with a clear vision and the experience to execute it |
| A transparent, supportive leasing relationship | An operator who communicates openly and operates with integrity |
We want you to succeed, because when this venue thrives, the whole community benefits.
Lease Summary
| Property | Lot 757 Ocean Drive, Reserve 43260, Bunbury WA |
| Venue size | Approximately 1,000m2 |
| Facilities | Commercial kitchen shell ready for customisation, indoor dining, alfresco deck, function room |
| Lease term | 5 years, with further options subject to negotiation |
| Annual rent | $100,000 exclusive of GST |
| Outgoings | Payable by lessee |
| Rent adjustments | Annual CPI increases; market rent review every 3 years |
| Structural maintenance | City of Bunbury responsibility |
| Operational maintenance & cleaning | Lessee responsibility |
| Fixtures | City-owned fixtures included; lessee responsible for ongoing maintenance |
Insurance Requirements
The successful operator must obtain and maintain:
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance
- Public Liability Insurance
- Insurance for equipment, goods and chattels
Legislative Framework
The lease will be subject to:
- Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreements Act 1985
- Local Government Act 1995 (Section 3.58 – public advertising of disposition)
- All relevant Australian Standards and regulatory requirements
How to Apply
The Process
Step 1 Review the full Request for Proposal document (download below)
Step 2 Register for and attend the site inspection
Step 3 Prepare your submission responding to the selection criteria outlined in the Request for Proposal
Step 4 Submit your proposal by the deadline
Site Inspection
Prospective operators are requested to attend a site inspection prior to submitting their Registration of Interest.
Date
Time
Location
RSVP deadline
RSVP to
Monday 31 August 2026
10.30am to 11.30am or 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Lot 757 Ocean Drive, Bunbury
Thursday 27 August 2026 at 5.00pm
The site inspection will provide the opportunity to view the premises, ask questions, and clarify any details about the opportunity before preparing your submission.
Submission Deadline
Deadline
Submissions to
Friday 18 September 2026 at 5.00pm
Documents
Contact
For all enquiries regarding this opportunity:
Cassie Pedersen - Property Officer Leasing & Licencing
(08) 9792 7000
leasing@bunbury.wa.gov.au
4 Stephen Street, Bunbury WA 6230
Ready to make your move?
The best seat on the beach is waiting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The venue includes a commercial kitchen shell, offering a blank canvas for operators to create a fit-out tailored to their unique concept and operational requirements, as well as an indoor dining area, alfresco deck and function room. Prospective operators are encouraged to attend the site inspection on Monday 31 August 2026 to experience the space firsthand and explore its potential.
Yes. The City welcomes proposals that include improvements or enhancements to the venue. Any discretionary maintenance and improvements will be at the cost of the successful operator. The City remains responsible for structural maintenance. Details of any proposed changes should be outlined in your submission.
The proposed annual rent of $100,000 (exclusive of GST) plus outgoings is based on an independent market valuation. The City may consider submissions that propose alternative commercial terms, provided they are clearly justified and represent fair value.
The initial lease term is five (5) years. Further terms beyond the initial period are subject to negotiation with the City.
Significant development is earmarked for large parcels of land along and adjacent to Ocean Drive. The City encourages prospective operators to attend the site inspection for further context on the precinct’s trajectory. Specific development enquiries can be directed to the City’s Economic Development team.
Attendance is strongly encouraged but please contact the City if you are unable to attend to discuss alternative arrangements.
Absolutely. The City welcomes innovative and creative proposals. While hospitality operations should form the core business, complementary activities such as equipment hire, retail, events, and community programming are encouraged.
A selection panel of qualified City Officers will assess all submissions against the selection criteria. Shortlisted respondents may be contacted for further information or clarification. The preferred respondent will be recommended to Council for consideration, following which lease negotiations will commence.