Four Days of Family Fun

9 am

Your first stop is the Mandurah Visitor Centre (MVC) which was crowned the best Visitor Centre in WA in 2022 and 2023.  Nestled between Mandjar Bay and the Eastern foreshore in the heart of the city, the MVC is open every day from 9am-4pm. Speak to the experts for your personalised itinerary, best local tips and advice and your accommodation and tour bookings. Browse around the centre and read up on the local history, and admire the stunning wall-to-ceiling Welcome to Country mural created by local Indigenous artists Peta and Corey Ugle. Don’t forget to collect your clues and Traveller’s Companion to embark on a ‘Giants of Mandurah‘ expedition during your stay!

10 am

It’s time to head off and search for your first Giant – Santi Ikto. This impressive Giant is overlooking the pristine beaches of Halls Head. It’s a 20-minute return walk from the carpark, but you will need at least half an hour to admire Santi Ikto up close and get plenty of photos of this larger-than-life beauty.

11 am

Feeling peckish after your walk? Stop by the Miami Bakehouse to pick up one of their award-winning gourmet pies or pasties for a late breakfast.

11:30 am

Head to Dawesville Channel at Surf View, where dolphin sightings are practically guaranteed! Keep your eyes peeled for these playful creatures as you stroll along the shore. On the way back to Mandurah town center, make a pit stop at Novara Foreshore Reserve, where the kids can unleash their energy at the playground. These activities are all free.

1:30 pm

When back into town, have a delicious seafood lunch at Sharky’s Mandurah, situated on the waterfront in the Mandurah Ocean Marina. As you take in the beautiful marina views, the kids will have fun on the restaurant’s indoor playground.

3 pm

Now that you have refuelled, it’s time to explore the picturesque foreshore precinct of Mandurah. Stop by The Bike Kiosk at the MVC (open daily from 10am-5pm during school holidays), to arrange e-scooter hire. Scooters are suitable for children aged 6-12 years. Alternatively, if you have younger or older kids, you can hire e-bikes and trailers.

5.30 pm

After you have returned to your accommodation to get ready, it is time to drive over to Boundary Island Brewery for a scrumptious meal. The brewery was born from two local Mandurah families who love craft beer, delicious food and a great atmosphere. When you dine at Boundary Island, you can rest assured you will be enjoying gorgeous water views and fantastic food made with fresh, local ingredients.

7 pm

Continue south on the road to Lake Clifton to join a world-class Star Gazing Tour led by award-winning Naturalist Guides, Jamie and Base of Salt & Bush Eco Tours.  Lake Clifton is a prime location to view the vast skies with absolutely no light pollution. Sip your complimentary hot chocolate as you gaze up at the vast skies and be mesmerised by stories that will make your mind expand with how amazing our universe is. This area is also home to an extremely rare and beautiful Thrombolite reef. The Thrombolites, or ‘living rocks’, are 2,000 years old and are the largest known collection in the southern hemisphere.

8 am

Start your day by travelling down to the Peel Produce Markets in Dawesville (open 8am-12pm every Saturday). Pick up a freshly brewed coffee and breakfast from one of the many market stalls selling fresh food and produce. Then, while away a couple of hours meandering and enjoying live music and free kids’ entertainment.

10 am

Now it’s time to find your second Giant – Seba’s Song. Seba’s Song watches over the estuary waterways from the shoreline at Wannanup, and with Soulmate Charters you can get an exclusive 360* view of this impressive Giant that is not possible from land. Hop on the 45-minute cruise from the Port Bouvard Marina.

11 am

Pick up a takeaway lunch from La Belle Patisserie & High Tea House, a charming French provincial themed café in Wannanup (open Tue-Sun, 7am-3pm).

11.30 am

Your next stop is the Amaze Miniature Park, open Mon-Sat, 9:30am-4pm during school holidays. For just $50 for the family, you are guaranteed to keep the kids entertained for hours. Amaze features over 70 miniature buildings, model trains, a hedge maze, mini golf, playground and pedal cars. Then you can enjoy your picnic lunch – with four acres of beautifully manicured gardens and plenty of trees, you are guaranteed to find a quiet, shady spot all to yourselves.

3 pm

Stop in at the Mandurah Indoor Rock-Climbing Centre on your way home for an hour or two. There is something for everyone of any age and ability. Experience top ropes, bouldering, speed wall, slack lining, aerial skills, trapeze, ninja training and much more.  You can visit any day of the week.

6 pm

Treat yourself to a delicious dinner and waterfront views at Boardwalk @ DQ, open daily until late. The menu here has been created with seaside dining in mind, from freshly shucked oysters and sashimi to large seafood platters that you can share with the whole family.

8 pm

After dinner it is time to experience some arts and culture at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (MPAC). MPAC is a nationally recognised centre for performing arts, and the venue itself is placed right on the waters of the stunning Mandjar Bay. MPAC features multiple theatres, an art gallery and dance studio. The main boardwalk theatre is a tiered auditorium with state-of-the-art acoustics that regularly hosts concerts, festivals, theatre productions, film screenings and comedy performances.

8.30 am

Indulge in a mouth-watering, award-winning breakfast at Wood & Stone Café. In 2022 & 2023, the café took out ‘Best Breakfast’ at the prestigious Gold Plate Awards – and it’s easy to see why! Wood & Stone is run by a sixth-generation local Mandurah family who are passionate about providing exceptional food using top quality produce.

10.30 am

The tour concludes at the southern end of the foreshore, where you will find the Whizz Pop Candy Shop (open daily 9am-5pm). With their huge range of quality sweets from around the world, including local WA products, there is something to satisfy every sweet tooth, young and young-at-heart.

11 am

All aboard the Spirit of Mandurah! Hop onto the Tourist Fun Train for a lift back up the foreshore and across to the Mandurah Ocean Marina. Your ticket is an all-day ticket, so you can get on and off at any of the 10 stations around the city as many times as you like. The Tourist Fun Train operates every day over the school holidays, and you can choose from open-air or sheltered wagons.

12 pm

Once you wave goodbye to the Train Conductor, its time to be your own Captain on the water. Hire a self-drive BBQ Boat and cruise through the charming Venetian Canals. Let Mandurah Cruises take the stress out of your day by including BBQ hire with your boat, leaving you to enjoy your lunch on the water in true Mandurah style – relaxed by nature. Eco BBQ Boats operate daily and will cost you $269 for 1.5-hour hire.

2 pm

Get ready to stretch your legs and get moving again on your hunt for the third Giant of Mandurah – Little Lui. This Giant is set amongst bushland in a beautiful nature reserve and is a 45-minute return walk from the carpark. Be sure to bring your camera for this one!

4 pm

After your long trek, it’s time to cool off at Kwillena Gabi Pool on the Mandurah Foreshore. Kwillena Gabi, or ‘dolphin waters’ in traditional Noongar language, is a natural circular swimming pool on the estuary created by floating pontoons.

6.30 pm

Embark on a truly sensational culinary adventure at Mandurah’s multi-award-winning restaurant, Flics Kitchen. In 2022 alone, Flics took out the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, the AGFG Reader’s Choice Award, LUXlife Culinary Excellence for Creative Cuisine, and Restaurant of the Year. Time your trip to include one of Flics’ iconic Native Dinner Series, a highlight in Mandurah’s food and cultural calendar. Each dinner in the series is based on one of the Noongar people’s six seasons. A truly special evening connecting guests with the history of the land and region, and a journey into the ancient traditions of the Noongar people.

8.30 am

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Mataya Eatery, open daily. Mataya’s team of food specialists spend hours each week sourcing fresh seasonal produce to create a menu that is wholesome and nourishing. Their spacious courtyard area is perfect spot for families, and there is even a lovely little curated gift shop.

10:15 am

Afterwards, wander over for some more free time exploring the Dolphin Quay Indoor Markets (open daily 9am-5pm), at the nearby Mandurah Ocean Marina. Afterwards it is time to check out of your accommodation, however, the adventure is not quite over.

12 pm

Enjoy a relaxed lunch at Mandurah’s boutique café, Turquoise Café, open daily from 7:30am.  There is something for everyone at this delightful café, and of course you will be treated to gorgeous water views while you dine.

2 pm

A swashbuckling escapade awaits you on board the Pirate Ship Mandurah, for a 45-minute interactive cruise that is truly unforgettable. Be entertained by the crew in full costume, and as you cruise through the canals make sure you get plenty of snaps of the kids playing pirate, steering the pirate wheel and ringing the bell.

3 pm

Stop by the Mandurah Visitor Centre before heading home and browse the range of unique souvenirs hand-made by local artisans, to find a little piece of Mandurah to take back home with you. You can also crack the code to reveal the location of the final secret Giant to plan your next holiday to Mandurah!