Discover the Art
Scene in Mandurah,
here’s where to
find them
Mandurah is filled with incredible public art but not all of it is as obvious as the silver metal heart sculpture at Mandurah’s Ocean Marina. Hidden down laneways, or on the facades of buildings, artworks are all around us in Mandurah and we’re going to help you find them.
Trail 1 – Follow the light blue trail
1. STAINED GLASS WINDOW
Artist: Cottage Leadlighting
Located inside the Mandurah Visitor Centre, this artwork is a depiction of the Wagyl, or Rainbow Serpent, that controls the balance of water, guards the sacred landscapes and is shown surrounded by Mandurah’s aquatic flora and fauna.
2. WELCOME TO COUNTRY MURAL
Artist: Peta & Corey Ugle
Experience the awe-inspiring ‘Welcome to Country’ mural at the Mandurah Visitor Centre. This artwork vividly depicts the Aboriginal tale behind Mandurah’s expansive waterways. Immerse yourself further with our AR experience – simply scan the QR code on the floor decal by the entrance.
3. BONU-WONGIE – MESSAGE STICK
Artist: John Kelly & Coral Lowry
Two hands holding a message stick represents the invitation from the Winjan Aboriginal Community to the City of Mandurah to work together.
4. HIMAVANTA
Artist: Pornchal & Th’awan
The Himavanta Forest of the Himalayas is inhabited by beautiful Kinnaree. These half-bird, half-women are renowned for their singing and dancing.
5. ARTY BIKE RACK
Artist: Gary Aitken
This sculpture is also a functioning public bike rack with cyclists invited to contribute by securing their bike to the decorative wheels.
6. YOU’VE GOT MAIL
Artist: Claire Bailey
In 1887 telegraph lines reached Mandurah and reduced the isolation of early settlers for whom The Post and Telegraph Office was an important
meeting centre.
7. ABC
Artist: Anne Neil
Based on a line drawing of books and pencils, this cast work commemorates the opening of Mandurah’s first government school in 1900.
8. THE GUARDIAN
Artist: Celestin Hutchinson
Located outside the Mandurah Community Museum, this mural tells the story of the creation of the estuary, the lifeblood of the Bindjareb people.
9. LEVIATHAN
Artist: Jerome Davenport, Blank Walls
Designed by Joe Wilson in 1915 in the nearby Agricultural Hall, the Leviathan only made eight voyages before disaster struck. The boat filled with water and sand when rough weather set in, ending her life only 2kms from when she was built at Soldier’s Cove. This artwork can be found outside the Mandurah Community Museum.
10. WAR MEMORIAL
Artist: Hames Sharley
A place to connect with history. The Mandurah War Memorial, designed by acclaimed architect Hames Sharley in 2005, pays tribute to the courage of our soldiers. Water channels echo ANZAC Cove, while the rising pillars embody the soldiers’ bravery. Oriented for ANZAC Day, dawn illuminates the structure. The surrounding trees symbolise sacrifice, with olive trees representing peace.
11. FLORAL SWING MURAL
Artist: Tahnee Kelland
Check out this hidden gem in Mandurah! Thanks to the creative touch of Tahnee Kelland and the efforts of the local community, this laneway has become an Instagram hotspot. Don’t forget to snap your pic.
12. THE DROVER’S DOG
Artist: Claire Bailey
On this site in the 1840s stood an Inn and boarding house. It was a regular sight to see all the drovers’ dogs tied up outside as their owners had a drink or two.
13. SWIMMING IN THE SHADE OF DAYS GONE
Artist: Jahnee Rees & Rob McCulloch
Elevated on jarrah poles, the aluminium canopy reflects the movement of water and marine life and casts interesting shadows on the pavement below.
14. THE FISHERMAN
Artist: Mary Knott
This fisherman has real character and was created to acknowledge the beginning of the canned fishing industry along the estuary in the 1880s.
Trail 2 – Follow the dark blue trail
1. YABURGURT MEMORIAL
Artist: Peter Farmer & Little Rhino Designs
Yaburgurt Winjan was a significant Bindjareb Noongar elder. This
stunning artwork, which represents the six seasons, was created with
community to commemorate the centenary of Yaburgurt’s passing.
The project was funded through a Royalties for Regions grant.
2. FRAME
Artist: Gary Aitken
Designed by local artist Gary Aitken in 2005, this aluminium sculpture
encourages you to interact by framing your view.
3. CONNECTION
Artist: Bridget Norton
Honouring the spirit of the site’s traditional owners and the Osprey
these totems acknowledge the significance of the site as an ancient
meeting place.
4. WATER GIRL
Artist: Coral Lowry
This large and elevated sculptural work depicts a little girl with her
hair flying and playing in the waves.
5. WATER BOY
Artist: Coral Lowry
The ‘brother’ of Water Girl, this large sculpture shows a young boy
standing in the ocean and pointing at something in the distance.
6. THE GULL
Artist: Carl MacMillan
This fantasy, open decked, planked dinghy style boat with its port rail
lower than starboard side creates the impression of being beached.
This artwork is regularly taken over by children playing on it.
7. THE HEART
Artist: Gary Aitken
Mandurah was known as ‘Mandjoogoordap’ in Noongar language, which translates as ‘meeting place of the heart’. After European settlement the name was adapted to Mandurah. No visit to Mandurah is complete without a photo in the aluminium heart sculpture which was designed by local artist Gary Aitken.
8. PELICAN – 3D ART ILLUSION
Artist: Jenny McCracken
Did you know that an adult pelican can eat up to 1.8 kilograms of fish per
day? Well, this one is particularly hungry and clearly doesn’t like to share!
Go to the viewpoint on the ground, get creative here and snap a fun pic.
9. ADRIFT II
Artist: Carl MacMillan
This impressive aluminium sculpture depicts a rowing boat adrift on a
stormy ocean with large fish swimming underneath.
10. JAMES SERVICE WRECK
Artists: Gary Aitken, Richard Foulds, Kahil Aitken, Jarrad Steward
The suite of sculptures depicts wreckage washed up weeks after a
dreadful storm in July 1878.
11. ADRIFT I
Artist: Carl MacMillan
This follows Adrift II and presents the boat in a calm sea offering a
a different perspective to the viewer.
12. STEEL SCULPTURE
Donated to the City of Mandurah this modern sculpture in steel
soars skywards to create a dramatic spectacle.
13. ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Artist: Carol Nicolson
This surreal piece features ceramic hand-made tiled fish with
human heads spiraling around an abandoned stormwater pipe.
14. SHOULD YOU PASS THROUGH THE SEA I WILL BE WITH YOU
Artist: Gary Aitken
Located outside the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, this sculpture commemorates a 1959 tragedy when a boat carrying six Perth nuns overturned and only two survived.
