Month: June 2022

Mandurah Crowned Top Tourism Town 2022

Mandurah was named the winner of the 2022 GWN7 Top Tourism Town Award at the 2022 Perth Airport WA Tourism Conference Dinner on 22nd June. Mandurah claimed the Gold Medal in the Top Tourism Town category, with Geraldton claiming Silver and Esperance taking out Bronze.

Mandurah is WA’s Top Tourism Town

Mandurah Crowned Top Tourism Town 2022

Mandurah was named the winner of the 2022 GWN7 Top Tourism Town Award at the 2022 Perth Airport WA Tourism Conference Dinner on 22nd June. Mandurah claimed the Gold Medal in the Top Tourism Town category, with Geraldton claiming Silver and Esperance taking out Bronze.

Mandurah has been crowned Western Australia’s Top Tourism Town at today’s 2022 GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards.

Mayor Rhys Williams said Mandurah has always been a significant place in WA and is delighted to see it get the recognition it deserves.

“We are so proud to see Mandurah awarded Top Tourism Town for 2022,” said Mr Williams.

“Woven by waterways, Mandurah is a city with a village heart. Blessed with endless stretches of pristine coastline, tree lined walkways, plenty of attractions and safe swimming beaches; Mandurah is the perfect family holiday destination and it’s truly wonderful to see it recognised as such.”

The GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards recognise and reward towns in Western Australia that demonstrate a strong commitment to encouraging tourism and increasing visitation to the destination. Mandurah competed against Collie, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Karratha and Kununurra for the top spot.

Mandurah Top Tourism Town 2022
Image: City of Mandurah

Visit Mandurah General Manager, Anita Kane, said the recognition came at the perfect time.

“Over the last few years, Western Australians have explored their State and Mandurah has fast become a much-loved tourism destination,” said Ms Kane.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, long-running tourism operators have launched new products and news attractions have opened their doors. As such, Mandurah has become a major competitor in the tourism industry and this award acknowledges this,” said Ms Kane.

With an estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour, Mandurah is one of Australia’s most spectacular playgrounds for boating, fishing and wildlife watching. The Mandurah Estuary and Peel Inlet provide endless water-based activities including riding waterbikes, floating on BBQ boats, SUP Yoga, houseboating and many more.

This is the second time Mandurah has been awarded Top Tourism Town. In 2017, Mandurah competed against Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Albany.

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A day in Mandurah as a couple for only $100

Organising a day’s activities as a couple doesn’t need to be expensive. Here in Mandurah, you can enjoy a romantic getaway or weekend away without having to stress about money and instead, focus on enjoying the day with your other half.

A day in Mandurah as a couple for only $100

A Couples Day out in Mandurah on a Budget

Reconnect with your partner for only $100 in Mandurah. Yes – it’s possible! Whether you’re a couple who love art and culture, you’re love birds that enjoy the outdoors or, you’re simply looking for an easy breezy day of relaxation – Mandurah caters to all.

A day of fun with your partner doesn’t need to be expensive, Mandurah has you and your partner’s day of activities sorted. And the best bit… you only need $100 in your pocket to get involved! Spoil your significant other with a special day in Mandurah.

Idea 1: A day on the bike

If you and your partner enjoy keeping active on your holidays, this itinerary has your names all over it. 

Stroll down to the Mandurah Visitor Centre, which is conveniently centrally located and browse the bike maps beside the front desk. Mandurah is renowned for the many bike friendly paths and routes, it’s one of the best ways to get around! 

Mandurah Eastern Foreshore

Start your ride from the Visitor Centre with either the Bridge Loop Ride or the Relaxed by Nature Bike Map. Both great ways to discover the rich history and stunning scenery throughout Mandurah. 

The Bridge Loop Ride is an easy 10km loop, that starts at the Visitor Centre, takes you through Samphire Cove, Sutton’s Homestead, Hall’s Cottage and the 3d art installation – all whilst you admire the beautiful Mandjar Bay. 

The Relaxed by Nature path is a smooth 15km picturesque ride with beautiful views throughout the whole journey… and we’re not just talking about the view of your partner! 

Browse the bike maps available here.  

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Exploring Mandurah on an eBike.

Don’t have a bike? No problem. Hire an electric bike at The Bike Kiosk located just outside the Mandurah Visitor Centre. A one hour hire is only $80 for 2 people. 

As you explore the city, grab a coffee and light snack in town at one of the cafes in Mandurah. 

Blackstump Gallery by Emma Blyth
Blackstump Gallery by Emma Blyth

You’ve worked hard on your bike trip so you deserve to take it easy. Take a casual stroll through the Mandurah Art Trail, a walk that showcases fantastic and diverse local artists. Stop by the free art galleries in Mandurah and appreciate the wonderful art world hidden in the WA city. 

Idea 2: Journey through the coast

For the couples who love the beach, you’re in for endless surprises in Mandurah.

Begin your day with a delicious light breakfast at Café Coast that comes with captivating views of the Port Bouvard Marina. With a little bit of luck, you may see some dolphins playing in the estuary.

After your bite to eat, head further south to the stunning natural attraction Lake Clifton and visit the 2,000-year old thrombolite reef. Many travel from far and wide to get a photo of these living fossils. Discover what everyone is talking about! 

6 Reasons Why Mandurah Is A Winter Wonderland
2,000 year old Thrombolite Reef, Lake Clifton

On the way back from your Lake Clifton trip, pop by Dawesville for the Channel Walk, which is one of the most popular locations for dolphin spotting. Dolphins tend to travel in groups of 5 – 15, keep your eyes peeled for the happy mammals splashing together. 

Complete the day off with a 1.5 hour Wetland Wander Tour with Ways to Nature. Hosted Thursday – Sunday with a special deal available on weekends. Saturday and Sunday, experience the amazing Creery Wetland Nature Reserve for $60 for 2 people. It’s truly a wetland wonderland!

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Creery Wetlands

Idea 3: Nature and beer lovers

Calling all tree-hugging/beer-drinking couples! We’ve got you covered.

Begin the day by heading to the Creery Wetlands and breathe in the refreshing and peaceful scenery of the morning. Enjoy a walk around the 3km Mariner Cove Trail that will take you right through the Creery Wetlands. 

On your walk, keep an eye out for the many extraordinary bird species that have found home in the wetlands. 

You’ve worked off the calories with your walk, you deserve a good feed. Head to Mandurah’s micro brewery Boundary Island Brewery to enjoy a delicious lunch with stunning views of the estuary. With delicious food, beer on tap and views of Mandurah’s waterways, this is a gorgeous spot for you and your partner to enjoy each other’s company. 

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Boundary Island Brewery, Erskine

With a full belly, enjoy a light stroll at Len Howard Conservation Park for a nice nature walk by the estuary. Crossing the fresh water pools, the park is rich in native plants and insects. 

Now that you’ve enjoyed and relaxed by nature, you will feel rejuvenated to head back home with a great love for Mandurah and your partner.  

Len Howard Conservation Park Mandurah by callum taylor
Len Howard Conservation Park | Image: Callum Taylor

Affordable day with your partner

Spoil you and your partner with a special day in Mandurah. 

Organising a day’s activities as a couple doesn’t need to be expensive. Here in Mandurah, you can enjoy a romantic getaway or weekend away without having to stress about money and instead, focus on enjoying the day with your other half. 

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A Family Day in Mandurah for only $100

Have the best day ever in Mandurah for only $100 with these fun family-friendly activities!

A Family Day in Mandurah for only $100

A Family Day out in Mandurah on a Budget

Have the best day ever in Mandurah for only $100 with these fun family-friendly activities! Whether your family are looking for an outdoor adventure, are massive foodies or, you’re a bunch of beach bums – Mandurah is full of exciting activities to make your day out a memorable one.

From the morning to the evening, Mandurah has your entire day sorted with family-fun activities that will cost you $100 or less for the entire day! Having fun on your family holiday doesn’t need to be expensive. Here, we’ve picked out our favourite ideas to keep you and the kiddos entertained from breakfast to dinner.

Idea 1: Amaze-ing Adventure

Begin your morning with a stroll around the Peel Produce Market. Hosted every Saturday morning rain, hail or shine, pick up local produce, jams, cheeses and baked goods that will make for a delicious lunch later on. All goodies are made locally, meaning it’s all high quality, delicious and affordable. 

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Juice stall at Peel Produce Market, Dawesville

Take your packed lunch and head on an adventure to Amaze Miniature Park! The park offers a Family Pass (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children) for $50, plus under 3 years old are FREE. 

Admission to Amaze Miniature Park also includes unlimited mini golf, hedge maze, scale model trains, lego exhibition and playground offering hours of fun for the family. Enjoy the packed lunch at the beautiful picnic area at Amaze Miniature Park and soak up the quality time with your little ones. 

Amaze Miniature Park School Holiday activities Mandurah
Amaze Miniature Park

Head back into town to explore the Instagram trail and 3D artworks. This is the perfect way to discover the city and appreciate its wonderful art and culture. 

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3D pelican at blue gatehouse at Mandurah Ocean Marina

After the walk, spoil your youngsters with a visit to one of the many playgrounds in Mandurah! Sprinkled throughout the city, there’s the Caterpillar Park, Adventurescape Playground as well as Mandurah’s iconic Skatepark for those with a board or bike. Sit back and relax whilst your children play. 

With Mandurah’s many beautiful beaches, it’s essential that your family make time to visit the seaside. The hardest bit will be deciding which beach to go to – there’s simply so many to choose from! Falcon Bay, Town Beach, Pyramids Beach, Lido Beach and more. Rally the family together and visit some of the best beach spots in WA. 

Town Beach Mandurah at sunset
Town Beach, Mandurah

As dinner rolls around, pop by one of the great fish and chip shops in Mandurah. For an affordable seafood feast, we recommend Foreshore Fish & Chips, Halls Head Fish and Chips, Smiley Joe’s Fish and Chip Shop, Ginger Groper Blue Bay Fish & Chips, Sharky’s Fish & Chips… the options are endless.  

Dining at Mandurah Ocean Marina 2
Mandurah Ocean Marina

I scream, you scream, we all scream – for ice cream! Make your kiddies jump for joy with a delicious scoop of ice cream from WA’s renowned Simmos ice cream or the local Cool Eats. The perfect way to finish off a fantastic day. 

Idea 2: Explore, Eat & Repeat

All aboard on an adventure in Mandurah! 

Pack up some homemade sandwiches and head on an excursion to the Pirate Ship Cruise. 

Whilst the parents can admire the stunning views on the 45 minute scenic cruise, the children will be entertained with the interactive pirates. For a family-deal of $68, it’s a bargain for the whole family. Just make sure you keep an eye out for the many Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins that play in Mandurah’s waterways. 

Pirate Ship Mandurah
Pirate Cruise, Mandurah

Alternatively, the Mandurah Cruises’ Dolphin Cruise and Views offer an incredible  and interactive water experience as you cruise the Mandurah canals and estuary and spot the wonderful dolphins splashing beside the boat. The kids will have a ball watching a western rock lobster catch demonstration and seeing this iconic creature up close. Mandurah Cruises’ offer a Family Pass (2 adults & 2 children or, 1 adult & 3 children) at $75 including dolphin guarantee. 

Dolphin and Scenic Marine Cruise Mandurah
Dolphin Cruise & Views

After the cruise, book a spot for your family on Mandurah’s Little Toot train, which takes passengers on a fun journey along the Eastern Foreshore for only $25 for the whole family! The Tourist Fun Train never fails to excite the kids and impress the parents. 

Tourist Fun Train 1
Tourist Fun Train Company | Mini Toot

Take it easy after the day’s activities and find a spot to watch the sunset at an insta-worthy location in Mandurah. 

If you’re looking to update your family album or snap a picture to post on Instagram, Mandurah’s sunsets are guaranteed to deliver breathtaking backdrops. From the Mandurah Bridge to Stingray Point and The Lake Clifton Thrombolites – your family album will never look so good.  

Thrombolites 4 day Mandurah itinerary
Lake Clifton Thrombolites

As bellies begin to growl for dinner, we recommend making use of the great BBQ spots. 

You can find BBQ facilities at most reserves in Mandurah. Some of the best spots are the Eastern Foreshore Reserve, Dawesville Foreshore Reserve, Caterpillar Playground, Falcon Bay and Henry Sutton Grove. Grab some delicious snags from the local butcher and enjoy a sausage and bun on the grass.

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Falcon Bay Beach

Affordable family adventures

Who said family activities had to be costly? Not us! 

Choose how much (or how little) you spend on your holiday without having to sacrifice on activities. Here in Mandurah, there’s plenty of free and affordable activities that will keep the kids entertained. 

Looking for more affordable and free activities? Check out our blogs  Visiting Mandurah On A Budget and A day in Mandurah as a couple for only $100.

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Best ways to enjoy Mandurah’s waterways

Here’s the best ways to enjoy Mandurah’s magical waterways, only an hour south of Perth,

Best ways to enjoy Mandurah’s waterways

Here’s how to enjoy Mandurah’s magical waterways

With an estuary twice the size of Sydney Harbour, and a collection of winding rivers, pretty lakes and long stretches of coastline, why wouldn’t you immerse yourself in Mandurah’s water life?

The Mandurah Estuary, Peel-Harvey Estuary and the region’s many lakes, rivers and conservation reserves form the Peel-Yalgorup Wetlands System. This diverse eco-system is not only a habitat for many plant and animal species, it also provides great spots for swimming, fishing, canoeing and boating plus other aquatic fun. Take your pick from these options:

1. Make a splash in Mandurah’s magnificent new estuary pool. Named Kwillena (dolphin) Gabi (waters) by the traditional owners of Bindjareb Boodja, this natural waterway shares its habitat with local marine life.

2. Join a Dolphin, Sunset, Murray River Lunch Cruise or indulge in a Wild Seafood Experience with Mandurah Cruises.

3. How about a tour with the Captain on the Pirate Ship Mandurah full of swashbuckling buccaneers? Adults and children can say Aye Aye, Captain! But behave or he might make you walk the plank.

mandurah pirate ship

4. Hire a boat with Mandurah Boat Hire to explore the estuary, the canals and beyond at your own pace.*

Mandurah Boat and Bike Hire Autumn Deal
Mandurah Boat Hire

5. Be your own captain and cook a barbecue on the water with an electric round boat hired from Mandurah ‘Eco’ BBQ Boats.*

Eco BBQ Boats Autumn Deal
Mandurah Eco BBQ Boats

6. Or hire a private charter and have a more personalised experiences as you cruise the waterways with Soulmate Charters or Mandurah Boat Charters or Luxury Boutique Boat Charters.

Picnic on Luxury Boutique Boat Charters Mandurah
Luxury Boutique Boat Charters

7. To completely unwind, hire a fully equipped houseboat from Mandurah Houseboats and enjoy waterways for days.*

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Mandurah Houseboats

8. Experience the wind blowing through your hair as you gently glide along the water on a guided sailing yak tour with Salt and Bush Eco Tours.

Salt and Bush Eco Tours Kayak tours Mandurah
Salt & Bush Eco Tours

9. If you like things a bit faster, enjoy the thrills of riding a jet ski with Stag Watersports.

2 AA Water JetSki Wide
Stag Watersports Jet Ski Hire & Tours

10. Go scooping in shallow waters for Mandurah’s famous blue swimmer crabs (1 Dec – 31 July).

Crabbing in Mandjar Bay Mandurah
Crabbing in Mandjar Bay, Mandurah

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Nature Bucket List

Take your pick from our list of top nature experiences in Mandurah and surrounds,

Top Nature Experiences

Your Nature Bucket List for Mandurah

The vast open blue skies, pristine forests and stunning waterways of the region make it the perfect destination to immerse yourself in nature. Wonder at world-class natural beauty and easily spot native wildlife as you explore by water or land.

The region boasts a wealth of protected waterways, national parks, nature reserves and nature parks that provide a diverse range of nature experiences. Take your pick from these options:

1. Explore Thomas Dambo’s magical wooden ‘Giants of Mandurah‘ either by yourself, or choose from a selection of guided tours.

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Seba's Song by Thomas Dambo, Wannanup

2. See Western Australia’s largest residential population of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins on a tour with Mandurah Cruises.

3. Explore the wonders of nature with Salt and Bush Eco Tours on a guided nature tour from the bushland to the waterways. Join a bird, wildlife and nature walk or kayak along the Peel Harvey Estuary on the unique foot pedal kayak.

This is literally your golden opportunity to immerse yourself in nature because Salt and Bush Eco Tours owner and tour guide Jamie van Jones was named ‘Australia’s best tour guide’ at the 2022 Australian Top Tourism Awards held in Canberra.

4. Explore Creery Wetlands where hundreds of migratory birds visit every year and learn about Mandurah’s extensive wetland system.

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Creery Wetlands, Dudley Park

5. Book a tour with Mandjoogoordap Dreaming and discover the 2,000-year-old thrombolite reef at Lake Clifton and see what life was like when the earth began.

6. Walk along the estuary and spot waterbirds on the easy 2km nature walk at Len Howard Conservation Park in Erskine.

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Len Howard Conservation Park, Erskine

7. Feel the sand between your toes as you walk the long stretches of beaches in Mandurah, often you will be the only one on them. The locals love Town Beach, Blue Bay Beach, Seascapes Beach, Falcon Bay Beach and Avalon Beach.

Seascapes Beach Mandurah by Lisa Watson Photography
Seascapes Beach | Image: Lisa Watson Photography

8. Explore Yalgorup National Park. Stretching from south of Mandurah to Preston Beach, the park has ten elongated lakes, beautiful tuart and peppermint woodlands, walking trails, picnic spots and offers panoramic views of the beach, dunes and lakes.

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Image: Yalgorup National Park

9. If you want to see kangaroos grazing at dusk, head to Florida Beach or Melros Reserve in Dawesville where mobs of kangaroos are spotted every day. Remember to always use precaution and respect their space.

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Melros Reserve, Dawesville

10. Hire an e-bike or e-scooter from The Bike Kiosk to explore Mandurah’s beautiful coastal cycle paths.

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Halls Head Cycle Path

11. Explore Goegrup Lake, a rich habitat for shorebirds, on an accessibility-friendly 292 metre long boardwalk with viewing nodes and interpretive panels describing the area’s environmental and Aboriginal cultural values.

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Goegrup Lake, Greenfields

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