Yes, folks, the bottom end of Perth is a winter wonderland when it comes to activities and events to warm the soul. Whether that be embarking on a hike in untapped lands, cycling around its blissfully calm waterways, visiting nearby wineries, hitting the outdoor ice-skating rink, or hiring a cosy houseboat complete with a spa, Mandurah has no shortage of options.

The city will also play host to Winter Cruise & Crawl, and Secret Sounds music events.

To make sure you fill up your social calendar, we share our top things to do in Mandurah to encourage you to soak up the winter sun.

Top things to do in Mandurah this winter.

Have a houseboat holiday 

Want a holiday that is a bit off-kilter? Think of Mandurah as WA’s answer to Amsterdam, with canals aplenty and houseboat living a thing.

Locally owned Mandurah Houseboats have fully-equipped houseboats available to hire from Mandurah Ocean Marina and from Ravenswood along the picturesque Murray River. There are different sizes to choose from, from four to ten berth, perfect to call on your mates or a winter family adventure on the river.

Just imagine waking up to the sight of smiling dolphins, wayfaring waterbirds with Mandurah’s gorgeous waterways, historical sites and seaside venues literally on your floating doorstep.

You can get your hands dirty by casting a net to catch a very Mandurah breakky – blue manna crabs – served omelette style onboard your sailing abode. And when it’s time to move postcode, simply pull up the anchor and sail on.

Visit: Mandurah Houseboats

Get your ice skates on

It’s bacccccccck! Have your own Frozen moment with skating on ice at Mandurah’s pop up ice-skating rink along the Eastern Foreshore. This winter playground caters to all with a large ice-skating rink and 30m high ice toboggan slide to channel the iconic flick Cool Runnings.

There will also be lots of rides, entertainment, food and beverages options on offer to make sure you make a day of it and let it go.

Skating in Mandurah opens from June 26 to July 18.

Visit: Skating in Mandurah

Skate your way to world-class views

Get your skate on and flip a board at Mandurah’s premier skating playground. Opening in December 2020, Mandurah Skate Park is a world-class skatepark located on the waterfront of Mandurah’s Western Foreshore at Hall Park.

Skaters can feel the fresh breeze while riding the air and getting their bearings with 360-degree views of Mandurah’s natural assets.

The park has three skate zones to suit skill sets, including a bowl area for skaters, BMX, and scooter riders.

Visit: Mandurah Skate Park

Feast down the Murray River

Let’s combine two of life’s greatest pleasures: eating and cruising. Mandurah Cruises hosts affordable half-day tours to do just that, so kick back, relax and tucker in.

While you feast, you can bask in Mandurah’s contrasting sceneries, travelling from the city centre through wetlands to see birdlife on the Murray River. Be aware; your lunching session may have cute gatecrashers with Mandurah’s friendly dolphins creating a scene with their playful antics.

Visit: Mandurah Cruises

Follow Peel Region Craft Beer & Wine Trail

Thirsty visitors can discover what’s pouring in Mandurah by following the Peel Region Craft Beer & Wine Trail. The trail includes seven stops to the region’s highly regarded beer and wine offerings.

For craft beer fans, visit urban brewery Three Rivers Brewing Company – a hidden powerhouse that allows you to BYO snacks or enjoy a brew with a view of White Lakes Brewing overlooking the stunning Lake Walyungup.

Head to King Road Brewing Co home to perhaps the biggest brewery venue in Perth. Kick back with brews and bistro eats while the kids run riot on their massive and impressive playground. Be sure to try their award-winning pale ale.

Wine connoisseurs can fill up their glass at Peel Estate Wines, the oldest winery in the region and beautifully sandwiched between tuart forest and protected wetlands.

Both Millbrook Winery and Drakesbrook Fine Wines are picnic-perfect settings. Get to know the maker behind the drop with boutique winery Skipworth Wine Company offering intimate tastings with winemaker/owner Kim Skipworth.

If you prefer to be chauffeured around by those in the know, join in a winery or brewery tour with Kaleidoscope Tours.

Visit: Peel Region Craft Beer & Wine Trail

Get active seeing Mandurah’s natural assets

One of the best things about Mandurah is the sheer amount of natural beauty the city has – postcard-perfect, we think – and there are countless ways to be relaxed by nature while being active.

See Mandurah’s natural wonders with a visit to the 2,000-year-old thrombolite reef – the world’s oldest living organisms – at Lake Clifton. Put on the hiking boots to explore Yalgorup National Park to have a canopy of tuart and peppermint woodlands over your head.

For a hands-on approach, hop on a SUP for a peaceful paddle along Mandurah’s waterways. Head to WhatSUP Paddleboard Hire, Kayaks 4 U or Mandurah Boat Hire to rent one out.

Get wild by joining a foot-pedalling kayak tour with Salt and Bush Tours. The eco-tour takes you through the hard to reach parts of the Peel-Harvey Estuary to spot bountiful birdlife and feel a world away from it all.

There are, of course, many more ways to enjoy Mandurah’s great outdoors and you can find out more here.

Originally published as ‘6 Reasons Why Mandurah Is A Winter Wonderland’ by So Perth.

With so many attractions to see, the City of Mandurah has devised two easy walking trails that touch on all artworks. Here are the highlights of the trails that you can’t miss.

Trail 1: Murals and Stained Glass Marvels

1. Stained Glass Window

Start your trail at the Mandurah Visitor Centre, where you can see the stained glass glow with life. As filtered sunlight backlights images from Dreamtime creation stories, see dappled pelicans and dolphins play within the Rainbow Serpent, who created the landscapes and animals shown in the artwork. From there, duck your head into the Black Stump Gallery to appreciate vivid works of art from local WA artists, including iconic images of the region by Emma Blyth.

2. 3D Illusion Painting

Leaving the Visitor Centre, you will encounter the second location on this trail. This amazing optical illusion is painted across the pavement using angles to create a 3D image of fauna from the Peel-Harvey Estuary. Be sure to snap a picture interacting with the animals in this one!

3. Leviathan

Pop over to the Mandurah Museum to take in an artists dedication to historical ship, The Leviathan, who met her end after only eight voyages when she sank 2 kilometres from Soldier’s Cove.

4. 3D Blue Swimmer Crab

Get a cheeky picture with this icon of Mandurah’s waterways. This clever, 3D piece can be found across the Mandurah Bridge, created by award-winning artist, Jenny McCracken.

5.  War Memorial

This stunning sculptural memorial can be seen from across the bay, with two lines of white pillars rising and falling from the waters edge, mimicking the path of the rising and setting sun. With inscriptions inspired by the soldiers that gave their lives in war, this reverent installation is a dedication to the poem ‘At the Going Down of the Sun.’

6. Spring Swing 

One of Mandurah’s most Instagramable spots, this laneway is covered with images of wildflowers. Sit on the ‘swing’ and become a part of the installation itself.

7. The Heart

Continue on to the Eastern Foreshore, the final destination on our street art highlights trail. Perfectly framing the gorgeous Mandjar Bay in the background, The Heart references the Noongar word for the area, Mandjoogoordap, meaning ‘Meeting Place of The Heart.’ Pose for a picture with someone close to your heart inside the frame for a memento of Mandurah you can keep forever.

Trail 2: Sculptures and the Sea

1. Yaburgurt Memorial 

Yaburgurt Winjan was a prominent member of the Bindjareb Noongar community, and this piece commemorates the centenary of his passing. The sculpture depicts the six seasons of the area.

2. The Gull

This large, wooden boat is designed to give the impression of a ship that has run aground and has become a popular playground for children. With a spyglass, steering wheel and mast adding to the illusion of a mighty vessel from days gone by, this is an interactive artwork that nods to the fishing history and cultural ties to the ocean that exist in Mandurah.

3. 3D Pelican

Yet another 3D illusion piece painted on the boatshed by the marina. Hold your hand up by the fish’s tail to look as though you are feeding the hungry pelican.

4. Adrift I, Adrift II and James Service Wreck

This series of aluminum sculptures are dedicated to WA’s rich maritime history, including shipwrecks and fishing expeditions.

5. Arts Centre Rainbow Serpent

Another nod to the creation story of the land and animals of the estuary, this brand new, enormous mural by Daniel McHenry can be seen from the opposite bank. Spanning the entire outside of the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, each of the six seasons is represented within the Rainbow Serpent, with interactive puzzles and exercises painted along the bottom. While you admire this expansive mural and activities, pop into the Arts Centre and visit the Alcoa Mandurah Gallery to find a beautifully curated selection of local works.

To follow the full art trail, see here to download your trail map.

Originally published as ‘Embark on a walking trail of Mandurah’s amazing street art’ by Scoop.