Sun-blessed and boasting stunning Indian Ocean sunsets, incredible seafood and safe swimming beaches for kid-friendly seaside escapades, Mandurah is a must-visit family destination to add to your West Australian bucket list, writes Nardia Plumridge.
The ultimate aquatic playground, Mandurah boasts endless stretches of pristine coastline, winding rivers, picturesque lakes and 134 square kilometres of tranquil inland waterways. A little cousin to neighbouring Perth, this seaside city radiates an instant holiday vibe and is packed with activities for families, both on and off the water.
Just 71 kilometres from Perth, Mandurah is Western Australia’s largest regional city, famed for its stunning beaches and expansive estuary – twice the size of Sydney Harbour. Mandurah’s relaxed atmosphere and long stretches of coastline, water sports and wildlife watching make it a great choice for families. Spot the city’s thriving dolphin population by kayaking, canoeing, water biking, on a dolphin cruise, or even a barbecue boat. For little adventurers, a scenic-themed cruise on the local Pirate Ship promises plenty of swashbuckling fun.
Getting to Mandurah from Perth is easy, and takes less than an hour by car or train. Making Mandurah an easy day trip. But we suggest staying a little longer to really soak in the magic of life on its wondrous waterways.
Known as Mandjoogoordap by the local Noongar people – which translates as ‘meeting place of the heart’ – Mandurah began life as a small fishing village. But today it has evolved into a cosmopolitan city that some refer to as a modern-day Venice due to its extensive wetlands and canals. With an estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour and long stretches of coastline, boating, fishing, crabbing and wildlife watching are all up for grabs.
Mandurah is home to one of Australia’s healthiest dolphin populations. Its inland waterways offer protection for birthing and fish for feeding, making it an ideal spot for the dolphins to nest. No trip would be complete without a day of getting face-to-flipper with the cute cetaceans. And the best way to enjoy a dolphin play date is on a ‘Dolphin Cruise and Views‘ tour.
The one-hour tour showcases Mandurah’s most famous highlights, including Mandurah Ocean Marina, as you cruise along canals lined with multi-million-dollar homes. Friendly dolphins will often surf in the wake of the boat and come to say hello to the kids. There’s a ‘junior captain’s’ wheel for the littlies to spin. As well as giant binoculars for bird spotting, with pelicans, osprey and swans popular on the wetlands.
Or make a splash in Mandurah’s magnificent new estuary pool. Named Kwillena Gabi, meaning dolphin waters, by the traditional owners of Bindjareb Boodja, the waterway shares its habitat with local marine life.
There are plenty of other ways to get out onto the estuary: why not rent a boat, kayak or canoe? Kayak hire is available right in the city centre and provides an easy way to explore the Mandurah Central Paddle Trail. Kids over seven can hire a water bike from Mandurah Waterbikes on the foreshore near TOD’s Cafe. The Chiliboats are, in effect, a bike attached to two floating pontoons.
For something a little less strenuous, pop on your tricorn hat and commandeer the local Pirate Ship. This open-air vessel runs a scenic 45-minute cruise that includes pirate-themed entertainment. Littlies can dress up, with pirate hats and flags available to purchase. Then practise their best pirate speak as they steer the wheel, ring the bell and spy through telescopes at a dolphin or two. Longer lunchtime cruises include a meal of fish and chips, perfect for filling pint-sized pirate bellies.
After all this water activity, little landlubbers might be craving drier activities, and a maze, miniatures and mini-golf is sure to fit the bill. Amaze Miniature Park is just a fifteen-minute drive east of the marina on the outskirts of Mandurah. It boasts 70 miniature replicas of historic parts of the United Kingdom, Germany and France, including the Eiffel Tower. Several interactive model trains, a 12-hole mini-golf course with seven different club sizes from toddler to adult, and a giant 1,000-square- metre hedge maze and playground are sure to keep the kids occupied. The whole package is neatly wrapped up in 1.6 hectares of leafy manicured gardens that make the perfect backdrop for a picnic lunch.
Another great way to get around Mandurah is the Tourist Fun Train. This hop on/hop off tour is a joy for all ages. Sit back on the Big Toot and Mini Toot trackless trains for a foreshore ride to remember. Or if you prefer to be at the helm, hire an e-bike or e-scooter from The Bike Kiosk. You’ll find them at the Mandurah Visitor Centre with sizes to suit kids to adults plus bike trailers. They even offer 30-minute scooter lessons on weekends. It’s a cruisy way to explore Mandurah’s beautiful coastal lanes at your leisure.
If are lucky enough to spend more than a day in Mandurah, it would only be fair to sleep, literally, on water. Mandurah Houseboats rent fully equipped vessels from the marina you take out onto the waterways. With 15 houseboats to choose from, sizes range to cater groups of four to 10 people. With separate bedrooms and spacious living areas, it’s a unique and very Mandurah style of accommodation. Other popular Mandurah accommodation – on dry land – includes the Atrium Hotel and Seashells.
Seafood is a plenty in Mandurah and dining by water’s edge a must. At Boundary Island Brewery you can enjoy both. Mandurah’s own microbrewery is run by two local families and neatly positioned right on the water’s edge in Erskine at Mandurah Quay Resort. Airy and open planned with incredible views of the Peel-Harvey Estuary, it’s kid and dog friendly too. They serve up quality pub fare including kids menu and their own beers, naturally. You can get to the brewery by boat, car, bus, foot or bike.
The town lights up from 1 December until early January, when Mandurah’s Canal Christmas Lights take over the waterways. More than 200 families decorate their homes with bright lights and festive decorations. Some residents spend upwards of 80 hours installing their Christmas lights. The spectacle raises money for the Mandurah Districts Rotary Club, so it’s fun with a great cause. The best way to see the decorations is by boat. Don’t miss out on this must-do festive family event and book your Christmas Lights Cruise early with one of the local tour or private charter operators.
This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.
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