10 Affordable Family-Friendly Activities

If you’re popping down to visit the much-hyped Giants of Mandurah, or just looking for fun day trip ideas with the fam, check out our 10 fun family activities that won’t break the bank.

Affordable Family Fun

10 Affordable Family-Friendly Activities Around Mandurah

by Troy Mutton for PerthisOK!

In case you missed the memo, Mandurah is poppin’ right now with so many BIG reasons to visit!

Along with winning a host of tourism awards over the last two years including Australia’s Top Tourism Town 2023, the coastal city continues to expand its offerings, including the much-hyped Giants Of Mandurah attraction, which has been capturing the imagination of people from all over the state.
Thomas Dambo Giants of Mandurah
Little Lui by Thomas Dambo, Parklands

The Giants of Mandurah are the latest addition to WA’s ultimate aquatic playground, one that features vast stretches of beautiful beaches and lovely inland waterways and an array of fun and unique activities to enjoy.

Indeed, it’s an epic spot to take the whole family – including a heap of activities that won’t break the bank, just like the 10 we’ve listed below:

Pirate Ship Cruise

Sure you could drift around the waterways of Mandurah on a normal old boat, but if you ask us conquering the canals aboard a pirate ship is way, way cooler. This 45 minute cruise is great for all the family, and kids can have a go at steering the wheel, shooting water cannons and ringing the bell while you can sit back and relax, making sure to keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins. A family ticket will only set you back $75.

The Pirate Cruise Mandurah School Holiday Activities Mandurah
The Pirate Cruise

Dolphin Views & Cruise

Speaking of dolphins, your best chance at spotting Mandurah’s beloved bottlenoses is aboard Mandurah Cruises’ Dolphin Cruise & Views Tour. The one-hour scenic voyage explores the waterways of Mandurah with guides giving you the lowdown on Mandurah history, heritage landmarks and coastal sites along the way. Along with dolphins you’ll also spot an array of amazing waterbirds, grab a drink from the licensed bar and more. Family passes are $88, and come with a guarantee – if you don’t see a dolphin on your trip you can come back any time in the next year for free!

Dolphin Cruise Views Mandurah
Dolphin Cruise & Views, Mandurah Cruises

The Bike Kiosk

While cruising Mandurah’s waterways is a lot of fun, it can be equally as cool to explore Mandurah on land, and one of the most fun ways to do so is on an e-scooter or e-bike. The Bike Kiosk is located next to the Mandurah Visitor Centre and you can choose from a range of e-rideables to suit all preferences and experience levels.

E scooter and e bike hire Mandurah 960x640 1
Riding e-scooters along Mandurah's Eastern Foreshore

Amaze Miniature Park

It might be called the Miniature Park, but Amaze is so big you might need a whole day to tackle it all! The centrepiece is of course the 70 miniature buildings on display complete with interactive model trains, manicured lawns and even a replica of Perth’s famed Blue Boat Shed. There’s also the 1000 square metre hedge maze to get lost in, mini golf (included free with admission), shaded playground, the Tiny Teapot Café, and an incredible LEGO Exhibit as well.

The best part? Family passes are only $50.

Amaze Miniature Park 1

Mandurah Boat Hire

Explore the wonders of boating life with Mandurah Boat Hire, offering an affordable and exciting experience for the whole family! Be your own captain and cruise through the picturesque waterways of Mandurah and keep an eye out for playful dolphins along the journey. Renting a 4-person dinghy is hassle-free and budget-friendly, priced at just $105 for a delightful 1.5-hour adventure.

Boat Hire Mandurah

Peel Produce Market

When you’re road tripping away from Perth there’s nothing better than finding a fresh farmers market with goods direct from the source, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at the Peel Produce Market, every Saturday morning from 8am-midday. There’s always plenty of free kids activities happening around the market to keep them busy while you stock up for the pantry or a picnic lunch.

Peel Produce Market 1
Kids activities at Peel Produce Market

Mandurah Skate Park + Koolaanga Waabiny Playground

As far as public open spaces go, Mandurah has truly levelled up in the past couple of years with the expansion of their popular skate park, and the completion of the spectacular Koolaanga Waabiny Playground next door. Both are part of the $22m Mandurah Waterfront Project, with the skate park now featuring a massive new competition bowl, with three zones suitable for all levels.

Skate Park Mandurah
Mandurah Skate Park

Meanwhile its neighbour boasts a 12m high play tower, swinging and climbing zones, slides, shaded cubby pods, music play zones, balancing logs, a spinning carousel and even a human hamster wheel. You won’t be able to drag them away!

Koolaanga Waabiny Playground Mandurah
Koolaanga Waabiny Playground. Western Foreshore Mandurah

Instagram Trail

Phones are of course a part of life for both adults and kids these days, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be incorporated into fun activities with positive outcomes. The Mandurah Instagram Trail is a great way to experience Mandurah’s picturesque natural and unique environments, while creating long lasting holiday memories you can look back on for years to come. There are more than 10 stops to snap, including murals, memorials and more.

Mandurah Instagram Trail 3D Pelican
3D pelican at Mandurah Ocean Marina, Mandurah Instagram Trail

Family-Friendly Restaurants + Great Picnic & BBQ Spots

While Mandurah is flush to the gills with great restaurants, it’s hard to go past one of the many delicious fish and chip shops around town. For an affordable seafood feast you’re truly spoilt for choice by the likes of Foreshore Fish & Chips, Halls Head Fish & Chips, Smiley Joe’s Fish & Chip Shop, Ginger Groper Blue Bay Fish & Chips, Sharky’s Fish & Chips… The options are endless, though must always finish with some sweet treats from Simmo’s or Cool Eats on the foreshore.

And finally, if you prefer to pack your own lunch there are BBQ facilities at most reserves around Mandurah, including the Eastern Foreshore Reserve, Dawesville Foreshore Reserve, Caterpillar Playground and Henry Sutton Grove. Forget the snags? Never fear, there’s plenty of great butchers in town who’ll help you out.

Family BBQ at Falcon Bay Beach Mandurah
Falcon Bay Beach

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Top 10 things to do with kids

With plenty of coastal, forest and urban adventures to keep everyone in the family entertained, you’ll discover everything holiday memories are made of in Mandurah and the Peel Region.

Top 10 Things to do with kids

Top 10 Things to do with the kids in Mandurah

With plenty of coastal, forest and urban adventures to keep everyone in the family entertained, you’ll discover everything holiday memories are made of in Mandurah and the Peel region, only 1 hour south of Perth.

Who doesn’t love free fun, especially when it’s giant-sized? The Giants of Mandurah are a hit with families, and they’re just the beginning of the awesome adventures you can have in and around Mandurah. Check out our handpicked list of the top 10 family-friendly activities in Mandurah and its beautiful surroundings. Let’s make your family time here truly memorable!

The Giants of Mandurah

1. Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah are undoubtedly Mandurah’s BIGGEST attraction right now. Don’t miss this extraordinary outdoor exhibition that requires you to find these wooden sculptures following a trail of clues. This magical adventure will take you into some of Mandurah’s most iconic landscapes and breathtaking scenery. The Giants of Mandurah are a celebration of diversity and a powerful reminder to protect our precious natural environment.

Secret Giant by Thomas Dambo, Giants of Mandurah

The Pirate Ship Mandurah

2. Say ahoy and get ready to Yo Ho Ho as you cruise Mandurah’s waterways on the Pirate Ship Mandurah. Did you know that The Pirate Ship Mandurah came in at number 12 in the inaugural family-friendly experiences – world category (!) in the Tripadvisor 2023 Travellers’ Choice Awards

The Pirate Ship Mandurah
The Pirate Ship Mandurah

Mandurah Cruises

3. Watch our wild bottlenose dolphins play on the Dolphin Cruise & Views with Mandurah Cruises.

02-Dolphin Cruise Visit Mandurah
Image Credit: Mandurah Cruises

Tourist Fun Train Company

4. Board the Tourist Fun Train Company for a train ride tour. Mini toot, the friendly miniature train, runs along the eastern foreshore and the Big Toot is a hopon/hop off tour for all ages.

Tourist Fun Train 2
Tourist Fun Train Company's 'Mini Toot'

Amaze Miniature Park

5. Appeasing the imaginations of those big and small, there are 70 adorable miniature buildings and model trains at Amaze Miniature Park plus hedge mazes mini golf and playground. Great day out for families.

Amaze Miniature Park Mandurah
Amaze Miniature Park

The Bike Kiosk

6. Hire e-bikes and e-scooters from The Bike Kiosk and explore Mandurah or its coastal trails on two wheels. 

The Bike Kiosk Top things to do with kids in Mandurah
Exploring Mandurah by e-bike or e-scooter

Mandurah Instagram Trail

7.  Take lots of fun photos and create lasting holiday memories by walking the Mandurah Instagram Trail.

3dart pelican mandurah-1024x768
3D pelican at blue gatehouse at Mandurah Ocean Marina

Ranger Red’s Zoo

8. To learn about over 100 species of birds and animals, including the Tasmanian devil, head to Ranger Red’s Zoo in Pinjarra (only 20 mins from Mandurah). You should also check out the Zookeeper 4 a Day program where kids can work at the zoo and take on various, but important zookeeper duties.

Range Red's Zoo
Range Red's Zoo

Indoor Activity Centres

9. Take the kids for a bounce at Inflatable World or Flip Out Mandurah Indoor Trampoline Park or have a climb at the Mandurah Indoor Rock-Climbing Centre.

Mandurah Indoor Rock Climbing
Mandurah Indoor Rock Climbing Centre

Treetops Adventure Dwellingup

10. Climb a tree-top obstacle course through the forest at Treetops Adventure in Dwellingup.

Trees-Adventure-Dwellingup

Plan your itinerary before your arrival and book in your activities. We look forward to seeing you in Mandurah soon.

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

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