Christmas Lights Cruises & Tours

Don’t miss out on Mandurah’s famous
Christmas Lights.

The coastal city of Mandurah, less than an hour south of Perth, is often compared to a little modern Venice because of its spectacular waterways and canal living. But did you know that Mandurah turns into a little Las Vegas every year from December until mid-January?

The Mandurah residents who live on the canals like to dress up their houses for Christmas with over 200 houses along the canals lit up all in the spirit of Christmas.

Experience a Christmas wonderland on water and on land in Mandurah.

Thanks to the Mandurah canal residents for putting in an enormous effort and dressing up their houses for Christmas at their own expense, every year more than 200 homes come alive with lights and everyone wants to stand out. There is some healthy competition in the canals and people who do not light up their houses are called the grinches – in a friendly manner of course.

Some residents have about 100 items plugged in, spend about 80 man-hours to install their Christmas lights decoration, and use 15 timeclocks powered by 30 power boards from 20 extension leads.

Christmas Lights Cruises

The best way to watch this spectacle is from a boat. As you drift down the canals by boat or on board a cruise or private charter, there is a water wishing well with all proceeds going to local charities. So don’t forget to take some cash and gold coins!

Ever popular, this delightful cruise experience becomes increasingly beautiful each year. Dress for the occasion, sing along with the Christmas carols and bring your Christmas cheer. This is a very special tour at a special time of year.

Don’t miss out on this spectacular event and book your Christmas Lights Cruise early with one of these local operators.

For the most up-to-date information on availability and remaining seats for Mandurah’s Christmas Lights Cruises, please contact the Mandurah Visitor Centre at (08) 9550 3999.

MANDURAH CRUISES

+Dates

Departing every night except Christmas Day from 1 December – early January.

+Tour information and Departure times

Cruise options include Standard 1 hour, Premium 1 hour and 1.5 hour sunset & lights. Plus special events of a 2 hour family and 2 hour New Year’s Eve Fireworks cruise.

Departure times include 7.15pm 7.30pm, 7.45pm, 8.45pm and 9pm (times vary depending on cruise type and vessel).

+More information and Booking

Ticket prices vary depending on cruise types with price brackets of Adults – 13 years and over, Child – 3 to 12 years and Children under 3 – FREE on all cruises.

Click here for more information and to book.

Mandurah Cruises
Image: Mandurah Cruises

PIRATE SHIP MANDURAH

+Dates
Departing every night except Christmas Day from 1 December – early January.
+Tour information and Departure times

Hop aboard The Pirate Ship for a 1 hour Christmas Lights Cruise or 1.5 hour Sunset and Christmas Lights Cruise that combine two of our favourite things – Pirates and Christmas – as they cruise through Mandurah’s beautiful inland waterways and canals.

The Pirate Ship is an open air vessel offering the 360 ̊views, BYO alcohol and of course a steering wheel for the kids!

Departure times:

  • 1-hour Christmas Lights Cruise: Departs Monday-Thursday at 7:30pm & 8:45pm and on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8:45pm.
  • 1.5 Hour Sunset & Christmas Lights Cruise: Departs on Friday, Saturday & Sunday evening at 7pm.

Departure jetty:

The jetty is located out the font of 9 Mandurah Terrace.

+More information and Booking

The Pirate Ship is an open air vessel offering the 360 ̊views, BYO alcohol and of course a steering wheel for the kids!

Click here for more information and to book or call (08) 9581 3349.

Pirate Ship Mandurah
Image: Pirate Ship Mandurah

MANDURAH BOAT CHARTERS

Charter a Deluxe Pontoon Boat for your very personal Christmas Lights Cruise. Mandurah Boat Charters have a  very comfortable and luxurious 16-person or 20-person pontoon boat to choose from. A skipper will be provided.

Click here for more information and to book.

Mandurah Boat Charters
Charter a 16-person or 20-person luxury pontoon to enjoy Mandurah's Christmas Lights.

ECO BBQ BOATS

+Dates

Departing every night except Christmas Day from 1 December – early January.

+Tour information and Departure times

Get the ultimate and uninterrupted 360 ̊ view of Mandurah’s famous Canal Christmas Lights onboard unique open boats.

Enjoy the spectacular lights while comfortably sitting at a round table with a maximum of 9 passengers per boat on a very exclusive cruise.

80 minute guided tour, with two departure times: 7.30pm and 9pm.

+More information and Booking

Hire the whole boat for a private Christmas Lights tour for you and your friends and family.

Click here for more information and to book.

Eco BBQ Boats Mandurah
Image: Eco BBQ Boats Mandurah

MANDURAH HOUSEBOATS

+Dates
Departing every night except Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve from 1 December – early January.
+Tour information and Departure times

Hire their Party Pontoon Boat for up to 6 people with one of their staff (skipper) onboard to show your family and friends the lights.

The 1 hour 15 minutes guided cruise departs at 7:30pm or 9pm.

Cruises depart from 13a Dolphin Drive, Mandurah.

Guests are free to bring their own snacks and drinks.

Free parking available

+More information and Booking

Max 6 passengers (the boat is yours and there are no minimum numbers since Mandurah Houseboats charge for the boat and not for the number of people.)

Mandurah Houseboats provide a skipper.

Click here for more information and to book. Or call (08) 9535 9898.

Christmas Lights Cruises Mandurah Houseboats
Christmas Lights Cruise with Mandurah Houseboats

THE WHITE PEARL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CRUISE

+Dates
Luxury Pontoon ‘White Pearl’ available every night, except Christmas Day.
+Tour information and Departure times

See the Christmas Lights in style with aboard the luxury pontoon ‘White Pearl’. Limited to only 19 guests you can enjoy a laid back cruise as part of a public tour or private hire. The vessel has a toilet aboard and alcoholic drinks are BYO.

Cruises:

  • 1.5 hour Sunset & Christmas Lights Cruise: departs daily at 7pm from the 1st of December to early January.
  • 1 Hour Christmas Lights Cruise: departs daily at 8:45pm from the 1st of December to early January

+More information and Booking

Enjoy the spectacular Christmas lights aboard the ‘White Pearl’.

Click here for more information and to book.

Christmas Lights Cruises White Pearl
Christmas Lights Cruise aboard 'White Pearl'

MANDURAH BOAT HIRE

+Dates

Boats available every night, except Christmas Day & News Year’s Eve.

+Tour information and Departure times

Hire your own boat for your personal Christmas Lights cruise. A valid skipper’s ticket/boat licence is required for all boat hire after sunset.

There are three hire sessions available to book 7pm-8:30pm and 8:45pm-10:15pm. There is also an early bird special from 6pm to 8:30pm which is at a discounted rate because the first hour of your hire will still be day time. This is perfect for a sunset and Christmas Lights experience.

+More information and Booking

Enjoy the spectacular Christmas lights aboard your own private boat, BYO drinks & food.

Click here for more information and to book.

Christmas Lights Cruise Boat Hire Mandurah Boat Hire
Christmas Lights Cruise with Mandurah Boat Hire

Christmas Lights Tours on land

Big Toot Christmas Lights Tour

If gliding through the water isn’t your thing, we’ve got the perfect land-based option to soak in Mandurah’s mesmerizing Christmas lights!

Tourist Fun Train invites you to hop on and off The Spirit of Mandurah, affectionately known as Big Toot—a road-licensed trackless train, the only one of its kind in all of Australia.

Get ready to dive into the holiday spirit as Big Toot takes you on a Christmas adventure through the heart of the city. Let the magic and romance of the season surround you as you sit back and relax in the cosy carriage taking in all the sparkling lights.

Whether you’re a local looking for a new way to experience the city or a visitor in search of holiday cheer, this hop-on-hop-off train is your ticket to a joyous spectacle.

+Dates
Every night from 1st December 2023 – 6th January 2024.
+Tour information and Departure times
Hop-on Hop-off this road licensed trackless train between 6pm – 7.30pm and watch Mandurah sparkle with Christmas lights and decorations.
+More information and Booking
Spirit Of Mandurah (Big Toot) Route:

  • STATION 1 “Eastern Foreshore – 73 Mandurah Terrace”
  • STATION 2: “The Cultural Centre”
  • STATION 3: “Stingray Point”
  • STATION 4: “Keith Holmes Reserve”
  • STATION 5: “Mandurah Ocean Marina”
  • STATION 6: “Breakwater Road”
  • STATION 7: “Smart Street Mall”
  • STATION 8: “Mandurah War Memorial/Kings Carnival”
  • STATION 9: ” Mandurah Skatepark”
  • STATION 10: ” Kwillena Gabi Estuary Pool”

Click here for more information and to book.

Big Toot Christmas Lights Tour
Big Toot Hop-on Hop-off Christmas Lights Tour

See what’s on at WA’s Christmas Capital

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.

Stay a little longer

Instead of rushing back to normality or back to Perth, stay overnight and relax a little longer. Choose from our great Mandurah accommodation options. There’s something to suit all tastes and budgets – a choice of hotels, caravan and camping sites, charming bed and breakfasts, self-contained apartments, and even houseboats for hire.

banner lady

Find more inspiration

Take a look at some of our best picks