Penguin Island Discovery Centre to close at end of visitor season with new mainland location being scoped

The Penguin Island Discovery Centre will officially close on June 6 after an independent engineering report confirmed the rundown facility could collapse in high winds.

The new report reinforces previous advice given to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions about the condition of the centre, which is near the end of its structural life, that recommended it close as the visitor season wraps up.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby announced the closure in August 2022 as the State Government scrapped plans for a new discovery centre on Penguin Island after feedback from the City of Rockingham, local tourism operators and researchers on the effect of climate change on the island’s vulnerable penguin population.

The owner of current visitor centre provider Perth Wildlife Encounters, Terry Howsen, said the decision to scrap the centre on the island would “have a huge knock-on effect” and cost the Rockingham and WA economy significantly.

The State Government is now funding a $250,000 feasibility study — led by Tourism WA, DBCA and the City of Rockingham — of locations for a new facility on the mainland.

DBCA Swan region manager Benson Todd said the department and its partners would continue to protect the more than 300 wild little penguins and other wildlife that use the island for breeding, foraging and nesting.

“Our collaborative management also includes ongoing care for the seven captive little penguins who will permanently leave the island and be integrated into other captive populations on the mainland when the discovery centre closes permanently on June 6,” Mr Todd said.

He said the department wanted to emphasise “the island itself is not closing” and that visitors could continue to catch a ferry to the island to explore as visitor facilities are upgraded.

DBCA will continue to explore a range of tourism experiences for the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and broader Rockingham area.