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
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...

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...

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).

More Golden Outback collections

Mining in the Goldfields, from the beginning.

Put on your walking shoes as you walk through the ages of mining. Pan for gold and feel tiny in a reconstructed haul pak dump truck. The Hannans North Tourist Mine displays an array of mining items...

Old school local history collection and research in the library

The local history collection at the Merredin Library was started to gather items not connected to military and railway history, captured in other local collections. The Merredin Library is located in...

A passion for cars and military history

This collection was built up over 30 years through a passion for cars and military memorabilia. Tony Clarke repairs and restores classic and muscle cars, and loves military history. You will find some...

View local and Australian art at this nexis.

This is a wonderful art collection in a heritage listed building. NEXIS (Narrogin Exhibition Space), located in the Town Hall complex, hosts exhibitions and fund-raising events. The Shire’s art...

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