Thursday, February 22, 2024

Things To Do in Mandurah

From discovering wooden giants and spotting wild bottlenose dolphins, to feasting on crabs and playing on world-class golf courses – here are Private Properties’ top things to do in Mandurah.

Mandurah is a water lover’s playground, located less than an hour from Perth. With a great selection of ocean-encompassing activities and glorious waterfront dining, this is one destination to add to your must-visit list.

Private Properties’ List of Top Things to Do in Mandurah

From a quick day trip to a cruisy weekend away, Mandurah’s close proximity to Perth and its many seaside attractions affords visitors the best of things to see and do on a coastal-orientated holiday.

Here are our top picks of things to do in Mandurah in 2024.

SEE AND DO

There are heaps of things to see and do in Mandurah, no matter the day or time of year. When there isn’t an event like the Mandurah Christmas Lights Trail or Mandurah Crab Fest on, there are plenty of other activities just waiting for you to experience and/or discover.

Hunt for the elusive Giants of Mandurah

We’re going on a bear giant hunt, and we’re going to find a big one… For a fun day out that encompasses both art and nature, find one (or all) of Thomas Dambo’s larger-than-life wooden giant sculptures. These gentle giants, made from recycled wood, can be found “hiding” in plain sight, at locations dotted across Mandurah.

Santi Ikto - Giants of Mandurah by Thomas Dambo

Image credit: Visit Mandurah

Walk among living fossils at Lake Clifton

Yalgorup National Park’s thrombolites are micro-organisms too small for the human eye to see. They form rock-like mounds that date back billions of years. Located on the edge of Lake Clifton, they can be viewed along a boardwalk that also forms part of the 5.8km Lake Clifton Walk Trail – a gorgeous walk that leads you past the thrombolites and through tuart and peppermint forest.

Spend a day on the green

Did you know that Mandurah is home to a number of world-class, award-winning golf courses? Spend the day or weekend teeing off at holes that overlook sweeping coastline, meander through towering tuart trees and share their surroundings with kangaroos and joeys. Our recommendation: The Cut Golf Course in Dawesville features 18 internationally recognised holes that stretch over rolling dunes and feature stunning ocean views.

The Cut Golf Course, Mandurah

Image credit: Visit Mandurah and Clip Media Motion

DIVE AND CRUISE

Set against a backdrop of magnificent beaches and a huge estuary, Mandurah has a water-fuelled adventure for everyone.

Cruise Mandurah’s famous waterways

Mandurah’s estuary, marina and canals are best explored by boat, canoe or SUP. We recommend a sunset cruise with Mandurah Cruises, or, for something a bit different, why not jump on board their BBQ Boat – a donut-shaped, eco-friendly boat – for a lunchtime float?

Mandurah Cruises

Image credit: Visit Mandurah

Splash and swim

Mandurah is home to plenty of idyllic, family-friendly beaches and swimming spots. The manmade Kwillena Gabi (Dolphin Water) Pool is surrounded by floating pontoons that form a circle-sized swimming space that’s perfect for the kids, while Town Beach is, yup, you guessed it, close to town, and is also patrolled by surf lifesavers throughout summer. Wave chaser? Head to Pyramids for some sweet swell.

Spot bottlenose dolphins

Mandurah’s calm, protected waters are the perfect sanctuary for wild, bottlenose dolphins. As such, you can expect to spot pods of these friendly creatures regularly cruising Mandurah’s waterways. Some of the best places to glimpse these water-dwelling mammals are at Dawesville Cut, Mandurah Estuary and Mandurah Ocean Marina.

Bottlenose Dolphins, Mandurah

Image credit: Visit Mandurah

EAT AND DRINK

Seafood – tick. Award-winning pubs – tick. Boutique wine – tick. Divine breakfast treats – tick. For those looking for a feast (or just somewhere nice to eat), Mandurah offers a rich smorgasbord of foodie fare that’s yummy for one-dish diners or people who love to share.

Feast on locally caught seafood

Mandurah has long been known as one of Western Australia’s seafood centres, home to an abundance of crabs, lobsters and crayfish. Come on down to the annual Mandurah Crab Fest for a crabtastic celebration of the Blue Swimmer Crab, pop into Redmanna Watefront Restaurant for a mouth-watering seafood tower with a waterfront backdrop, or try your luck catching a herring, whiting, bream, cobbler, tailor or garfish for dinner.

Mandurah Foreshore

Image credit: Next Level Drone & Photography Services and Visit Mandurah

Enjoy outdoor alfresco dining

Feel like watching dolphins over breakfast? What about soaking in a southwest sunset while enjoying a feast of equally impressive proportions? Whatever you fancy, find it along Mandurah’s foreshore or at Dolphin Quay – both great options for water-meets-alfresco dining.

Wine, dine and craft good times at one of the region’s breweries or wineries

Lovers of craft beer and connoisseurs of fine wine will find plenty of lip-smacking delight in Mandurah and the Peel region. But where to start? Try this self-guided Peel Region Craft Beer and Wine Trail, or, for something a bit special, head out to the picturesque Millbrook Winery.

HIDE AND SEEK

The whole family in-tow? There’s plenty of things to do in Mandurah for big and little kids. Here are three of our favourites:

Swing like Tarzan

Tarzan, Jane and maybe even George (of the jungle) will spend hours navigating between the trees at Treetop Adventure in Dwellingup, which features a flying fox and ropes course comprising eight different courses and 23 ziplines, suspended approximately 25 metres above the ground.

Play all day

Nothing kills the time (and the boredom) quite so satisfyingly like a well-thought-out park or playground. We love the Koolaanga Waabiny Playground, which features a tree-inspired, 12m-high climbing tower, and the miniature buildings, Lego exhibit, hedge maze, scale model trains, mini golf and playground found within four acres of the Amaze Miniature Park. We also think Ranger Red’s Zoo – a boutique conservation park that gives you the chance to hand-feed animals, hold a snake and even be a zookeeper for a day – is pretty cool, too.

Sail one of the seven seas

Ahoy, Me Hearties! For a swashbuckling experience like no other, join Pirate Ship Mandurah for a pirate-themed cruise along Mandurah’s canals. Steer the pirate wheel, ring the bell or practise your arrs and yers. Eye patches and pirate clothes optional.

SLEEP AND REPEAT

For the best places to rest tired heads, you can’t go past our premium selection of cosy, comfy and carefree holiday homes, all of which are set in stunning locations across Mandurah and Dawesville.

Starfire

Wake up to the sounds of lapping water, when you stay at Starfire – a canal-front holiday home that boasts a private jetty, spacious alfresco and beautiful, Bali-esque vibes.

Starfire

The Breakers

This contemporary Mandurah beach house, perched atop sand dunes and overlooking the calm Indian Ocean, oozes coastal living. We love its easy access to the beach, the jaw-dropping ocean views from its master suite, and its proximity to Mandurah’s city centre and marina.

The Breakers

 

Oceanic

Located on the shores of Melros Beach, Oceanic is a modern contemporary beach house that’s all at once sleek, luxurious and warmly unique. You’ll find this pared-back, seaside sanctuary overlooking the Indian Ocean with serene sunset views.

Oceanic

Allandale

Situated on the Harvey Estuary, Allandale is a heritage-listed estate that’s primed for family escapes. Featuring 180-degree views out over the estuary, as well as a tennis court and canoes, this Dawesville holiday home is a great option for those seeking a fun-filled holiday.

Allandale

Florida Beach House

Zig zag into Florida Beach House – a holiday home that literally mimics the waves it overlooks via its roof and ceiling design – and stay for its beautiful tree-lined ocean views.

Florida Beach House

Seascape

Across the road from the beach, Seascape Retreat in Mandurah boasts a resort-style swimming pool, a master bedroom with a luxurious double-spa ensuite and its very own putting green, making it an excellent choice for travellers seeking both resort-living and a sense of seclusion.

Seascape Retreat

Like what you are reading?

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things Private Properties.