Month: January 2022

Romantic 2 Night Getaway Near Perth

Looking to rekindle the romance in your relationship or need to score some serious brownie points with your belle or beau?

Romantic 2 Night Getaway Near Perth

Loved up in Mandurah – your romantic 2 night getaway near perth

Looking to rekindle the romance in your relationship or need to score some serious brownie points with your belle or beau? This time of year calls for a surprise romantic weekend getaway, and you don’t have to travel far to make it one to remember.

Couples, here’s the perfect bitesize rundown for spending a relaxed and romantic weekend in Mandurah.

Romantic places to stay – just the two of You

To make the most of your raunchy weekend away, we suggest arriving the night before, or arrange an early check-in on the day of your arrival (subject to availability of course), so you can take advantage of the full day ahead.

For a relaxing waterfront retreat, nothing beats The Sebel Mandurah. Spoil your plus one staying in a stylish king spa suite, with magical views of Mandurah’s picturesque Mandjar Bay, or settle in with all the creature comforts lounging around in a one bedroom self-contained apartment.

Missing the Bali vibes? Then an adults only stay at Bali @ Avalon will make you feel like you’re a world away. This hidden Balinese oasis is not your typical B&B. You can book the entire place for just the two of you or with another couple. Relax by your own private pool, soak up the sun and put your feet up and imagine you’re in paradise!

Bali at Avalon Mandurah 1022
Bali@Avalon

Day 1

Before checking in, drop in for lunch at the 2023 Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Winner – Café Coast in Wannanup – along the Port Bouvard Marina. If you love seafood, you’ll appreciate their extensive menu from the ocean. Book your table ahead or just call in.

Must try: Grilled octopus with garlic and chilli, fresh seafood fettuccine marinara and Rottnest swordfish.

Romantic getaway Cafe Coast

How to spend a romantic afternoon

Mandurah’s relaxed by nature and there’s no better way to get amongst it than being on the water. Be your own skipper and hire a boat for the arvo. Cruise along the waterways and soak up the summer sun with your bestie by your side. Best of all, there’s no skippers ticket required.

If you want to bump up the adrenalin then Stag Watersports is the name to remember. Jump on a jet ski and go exploring together or sign up for a thrilling eco tour. They even offer dolphin spotting sessions – doesn’t get any closer than this!

Boat Hire 2 night romantic getaway Mandurah
Cruising through the Venetian Canals

Where to eat and drink for romantic vibes

After pulling up on dry land, you’ll be ravenous with stylish dining options aplenty along the waterfront and Dolphin Quay marina. Our top picks for a bevvy and amazing fare include Brewvino, The Pen, Flics Kitchen, Bar Therapy and Wood and Stone. 

Happy to stay out on the water? Get yourself on board Mandurah Cruises’ popular Sunset Cruise (operates January – May). Send romantic vibes soaring while you watch the stunning sunset and see what nature gets up to at night.

Sunset Cruises Mandurah Cruises

Day 2

Energy boosting breakfast options

Whether you’re up with the crows at first light or opt for a lazy start (we wouldn’t blame you if you do), whenever you’re ready to get your day started, we’ve got you both sorted. 

A wholesome option favourite is Mataya Eatery. Pop in for brunch until 12.30pm where the crew are known for their delicious acai bowls and killer specialty coffee. They also have a great selection of food on the run should you wish to head out early and explore.

Must try: Green breakfast bowl

Where to enjoy each other’s company

Get back to nature with your plus one with Salt and Bush Eco Tours or Down Under Discoveries. Take a guided kayaking tour through the protected wetlands of the Peel-Harvey estuary, where you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away, not another soul in sight. Or paddle around Mandjar Bay, Mandurah Ocean Marina and the Venetian Canals to explore Mandurah’s vast waterways and meet the inquisitive Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphin population.

Want to get a real life glimpse of what life was like before humans stepped on earth? Make new discoveries exploring the 2,000-year-old thrombolite reef at Lake Clifton. Learn about the history and cultural significance of these rare living rock-like structures. Summer is also the best time to view the thrombolites while water levels are low.

Closer to town, take a romantic stroll around the city’s unique and hidden art scene on Mandurah’s Instagram Trail. Get loved up on the Spring Swing along Tuckey’s Lane, take a couples snap by the Heart sculpture and find other insta-worthy locations.

We could go on and on—but that would spoil all the surprises waiting for you to uncover yourselves.

Savour the moments, the memories and magic on a romantic escape to Mandurah.

2 night romantic getaway Mandurah Goegrup Lake
Goegrup Lake, Mandurah

Discover
how the
locals
like it

FIND OUT MORE

Download Your
Guide to Mandurah!

4390 MAPTO 2023 Planner Cover

The ultimate aquatic and nature playground. Start planning your Mandurah adventure today!

VISITOR GUIDE

Find more inspiration

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR BEST PICKS

View all

How the Locals like it – Myrianthe Riddy

I arrived in WA in 2016 with my young family in search of a sea change. I was instantly drawn to Mandurah because of its laid back vibes and beautiful waterways.

How the locals like it

Myrianthe Riddy,
Owner Mandurah Cruises

Less than an hour’s drive from Perth you’ll find Western Australia’s largest regional city. But it’s not the size that attracts visitors to this coastal town. Just ask Myrianthe Riddy, owner of Mandurah Cruises. She’s travelled and worked all over the world, but the place she chose to call home is Mandurah.

Myrianthe

I arrived in WA in 2016 with my young family from Qatar in search of a sea change. I was instantly drawn to Mandurah because of its laid back vibes, warmth and the natural beauty of its waterways.

My husband and I were looking for somewhere we could raise our children. After working many years in the oil and gas industry overseas, we wanted to shake up our lifestyle and have more flexibility to spend time with our kids.

We knew we wanted to run our own business. My husband had boating in his blood, and we love being on the water. An opportunity to purchase Mandurah Cruises was too good to pass up and we’ve been here ever since.

What I love about Mandurah is the sense of community and connectedness – regardless if you’re a resident or just visiting. Everyone here is so friendly and makes you feel welcomed, it’s just so easy and relaxing.

Mandurah’s waterways are twice the size of Sydney Harbour! It’s hard to explain the feeling when you’re out there, the waters are calm, it’s very peaceful and deserted (except for the dolphins). You get the sense you’ve been transported to another place.

I always feel safe taking my kids out on the water here. Living within walking distance of the beach is great too, and Mandurah has some great surfing spots that don’t get too crowded. It’s the best place to learn how to surf – the surf program here is first class.

Mandurah is home to around 100 bottlenose dolphins. They’re such a playful and friendly bunch that you’ll often spot them getting up to mischief while on one of our dolphin cruises. They especially love to surf alongside the vessel! I have a soft spot for Nicky. She’s the matriarch of the dolphins and the most recognisable due to her cut-off fin.

Although I love being on the water and the amazing beaches that stretch for miles, I do enjoy taking time out going bush, exploring the national parks and discovering the many walking trails. My favourite trail is at Island Point Reserve. It’s at the far end of the estuary and it’s a great area to explore – even after dark on a guided nocturnal walk.

If you had to pick a time to visit, come during the festive season. The city embraces Christmas like you wouldn’t believe. The Mandurah canals, or modern day Venice as the locals call it, come alive with Christmas lights. It’s an experience unlike any other, and I would go as far to say we’re one of the only places in the world where residents put on such a massive display on the water. We have thousands of visitors who come especially to see the spectacle every year on our Christmas Lights Cruise.

Mandurah has come a long way from being known as WA’s crabbing destination. The city is thriving with arts and culture, plenty of things to see and do and incredible natural encounters that are waiting to be explored.

MYRIANTHE’S TIPS ON WHERE TO HEAD OUT

The foodie scene here is constantly evolving and it’s hard to keep up! My go-to place for a coffee is Mataya. Without fail, I always order the gnocchi at Flic’s Kitchen and if I’m heading out with friends, you’re sure to find me at Bar Therapy. I also love the new distillery Little Stiller.

Discover
how the
locals
like it

FIND OUT MORE

Download Your
Guide to Mandurah!

4390 MAPTO 2023 Planner Cover

Mandurah is the ultimate aquatic and nature playground. Trip planning and experience making is easy with our destination information guide.

VISITOR GUIDE

Find more inspiration

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR BEST PICKS

How the Locals like it – Ian MacPherson

There’s nothing more relaxing than getting out on the ocean and in Mandurah being relaxed by nature is what it’s all about.

How the locals like it

Ian ‘Wooly’ MacPherson,
Owner Star Surf + Skate

There’s nothing more relaxing than getting out on the ocean and in Mandurah being relaxed by nature is what it’s all about.

Ian Wooly MacPherson
Photo: Dylan O'Brien

Local surfer Ian ‘Wooly’ Macpherson wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s been surfing in Mandurah since he was a little tacker.

If he’s not chasing the best break, he’s teaching others how to surf, coaching aspiring pro surfers and sharing tips on land at his surf shop – Star Surf + Skate.

Sure, the South West is known for its surf, but Mandurah has loads of popular surfing spots to rival, making it a perfect day trip for Perth surfers.

And the best time to hit the surf is now!

Wooly says ideal surf conditions occur between autumn and spring, with winter the best time due to large storms bringing swells to the WA coast.

We checked in with the local surfing legend to discover more about the Mandurah surfing scene and why we should all pick up a board and learn to surf.

I started surfing when I was around 9 or 10 years old at Avalon Bay. My parents’ property was a small stroll from Avalon and my mum was a swimmer, so we spent a lot of time at the beach during the 70s and 80s.

I started off on a ‘foamie’ – a small coolite surfboard made of polystyrene beaded-foam. I remember painting it with house paint so I wouldn’t get a rash. I soon progressed to a second-hand fibreglass ‘single fin’ board and found myself learning at the little rolling lefts of Falcon Bay.

Ian MacPherson

When I was 12 years old, I joined the Mandurah Board Riders Club and I’ve been a member pretty much ever since.

Surfing has made up a massive part of my life and has moulded me into the person I am today.

All the places I have travelled evolve around the surf and most of my work has been in and around the surf industry since I was a teen. The feeling of being submerged in the ocean, riding waves is unmatched anywhere in any other sport.

Mandurah has been good to me growing up and having the beach on my doorstep. The local community has been very supportive of my surf school and surf shop since we started.

Surfing is all about fun. Surfing increases your fitness, strength, balance and flexibility (we stretch before every class). Spending time in and around the ocean positively impacts your health and the more you do it, the more your confidence in the ocean increases.

Ready to hit the surf? Give it a go in Mandurah!

WOOLY’S FAVOURITE SURFING SPOT IN MANDURAH

My favourite spot is Geary’s – named after a City Beach surfer, Ray Geary. He built a shack there and at 80 years of age he still lives there today!

Geary’s a wave that doesn’t break very often and needs a big swell to start to work properly. It gets very crowded with keen surfers these days, but I have very fond memories of days out there as a teenager surfing with just a few mates.

Discover
how the
locals
like it

FIND OUT MORE

Download Your
Guide to Mandurah!

4390 MAPTO 2023 Planner Cover

Mandurah is the ultimate aquatic and nature playground. Trip planning and experience making is easy with our destination information guide.

VISITOR GUIDE

Find more inspiration

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR BEST PICKS