Be a pirate for a day

Ahoy me hearties, your young explorers will have the ultimate time sailing the seven seas (Mandurah’s waterways and canals), on an epic pirate adventure on board a real life looking pirate ship.

Get your crew together and come dressed in your best pirate outfit, as you go searching for the infamous bottlenose dolphins and other wildly creatures. If you’re lucky, ye old sea captain may even let the kids steer the pirate ship and ring the bell. But beware, those who misbehave may be obliged to walk the plank!

Dolphin spotting

You don’t have to trek all the way to Monkey Mia to get up close to the wondrous bottlenose dolphins. Our pods of playful residents have made Mandurah’s waterways  their home for years, with more than 90 of these curious creatures leaping in and out of the Peel Harvey estuary every day. Take the family on a dolphin cruise and see how many you can spot!

Or hire a boat! Mandurah Boat and Bike Hire offers boats tanging from a four person dingy up to a 12-person pontoon boat and are conveniently located right in the heart of Mandjar Bay. Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, fishing rods and crabbing nets are also available for hire.

Dolphins live and swim together in groups, so when you see one there’s likely to be more nearby, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled and camera ready.

Hit the bike trails

Get the kids out of the house and onto the track. Whether it’s in the bush or by the beach, there are stacks of cycling trails you can set off on at varying distances and levels. Bring your own bikes or save yourself the hassle and hire a bike for the day. 

Cycle alongside dolphins

Is it a catamaran or a giant banana? Jump on a bike ride of a different kind on the water with Mandurah waterbikes. Easier than riding a bike, these waterbikes are steady and stable, so you won’t even get wet as you gently pedal and glide through the water. Hire a waterbike any day of the week during the school holidays and choose where you cruise, exploring Mandjar Bay and the stunning canals from a new perspective.

Go into the wild on a kayak

Explore hidden parts of the Peel Harvey Waterways by kayak on a guided private river or estuary tour with Salt and Bush Eco Tours. The tandem peddled kayaks are great for beginners and all level kayakers, which means you can spend more time concentrating on the incredible scenery and wildlife around you.

Visit one of WA’s best skate parks

Get your wriggly little humans moving at one of WA’s newest skate parks by the waterfront. Suitable for all abilities, you can skate, scoot or BMX your way around three different skate zones including the very cool skate bowl. Get the kids down for a session – they’ll love it! Find out more.

Learn to surf

Get your kids to master a new skill these school holidays. Star Surf‘s accredited surfing instructors will teach them how to launch themselves onto a board safely and get on top of their first wave. Get to know Ian ‘Wooly’ MacPherson from Star Surf.

All aboard the fun train

Jump on board the Tourist Fun Train, Mandurah’s trackless train. Your little ones will love seeing the sights as the Big Toot or Mini Toot takes them on a fun journey around the foreshore and city.

If you’re looking for a seaside escape jam-packed with activities for the whole family to enjoy, now’s the perfect time to head to Mandurah for the school holidays.

The summer holidays are bursting with family-friendly activities including Mandurah’s new Estuary pool that is ready to have you and your kids splashing around. 

So, make the most of the sun and Visit Mandurah during these school holidays.